SANBI launches digital‑first National Biodiversity Assessment 2025
South Africa’s National Biodiversity Assessment 2025 has been launched by the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, at Kirstenbosch in Cape Town. For the first time the assessment has a dedicated website with open access to datasets, analytical scripts and linked resources, providing regularly updated intelligence on the status and trends of species, ecosystems and genetic diversity across terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine and marine realms, including the Prince Edward Islands.
Compiled with input from more than 490 experts across over 110 institutions, NBA 2025 reports advances in protection for some species while noting continued pressure on wetlands and estuaries. SANBI positions the digital platform to improve transparency and support evidence‑based decisions by government, business and the tourism sector – informing conservation planning, destination management and the long‑term sustainability of nature‑based tourism.
Source: The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)