Key Biodiversity Areas and links to biodiversity planning

Abstract

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are sites that contribute to the global persistence of biodiversity, including vital habitat for threatened plant and animal species in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. The Global Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas (IUCN 2016) sets out globally agreed criteria for the identification of KBAs worldwide. KBAs are therefore the perfect vehicle through which to recognise and profile South Africa’s biodiversity, and to increase the safeguarding of these sites by aligning with a global environmental currency and lobbying power. South Africa is also in an advantageous position – as a megadiverse country with an established Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) network and an advanced systematic conservation planning sector – to test the KBA Standard and Guidance. South Africa recognises the importance of embracing KBAs to take advantage of the above opportunities. The intention of a South African KBA network would be to recognise South Africa’s most important biodiversity areas on a global platform, leading to improved national and global policy development, governance, and conservation of KBAs and, thereby support and strengthen current national biodiversity prioritisation. Through BirdLife South Africa’s role as regional representative for the KBA community, South Africa can also lead on KBA lessons and knowledge shared across the continent.