SA Urged to Restore Ecological Infrastructure to Safeguard National Water Security

Swarts stressed that these environmental pressures have been repeatedly highlighted in the NBA over the past two decades, but the latest findings reveal a growing urgency.

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs Bernice Swarts has called for accelerated, coordinated action to protect and rehabilitate South Africa’s ecological infrastructure, warning that the country’s water security depends heavily on the health of its natural systems.

Speaking at the launch of the 2025 National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA) on Tuesday, Swarts highlighted that South Africa’s strategic water source areas—which cover only 10% of national land yet supply over 50% of the country’s freshwater—are under severe strain due to pollution, invasive species, habitat degradation, and disrupted water flows.

Ecological Infrastructure Under Threat

Swarts stressed that these environmental pressures have been repeatedly highlighted in the NBA over the past two decades, but the latest findings reveal a growing urgency.

“While progress has been made, it is clear that far more decisive action is needed to secure the ecological systems that underpin our water security. Protecting natural water flow into the ocean is equally essential for marine fisheries, coastal ecosystems, and climate resilience,” she said.

The NBA data confirms that terrestrial and marine ecosystems, although vast, face concentrated threat hotspots, particularly in areas where economic activity, land-use change, and environmental mismanagement intersect.

Priority Areas for Investment

The report emphasises the critical need for spatial prioritisation, ensuring that restoration funding is channelled into areas where it can achieve the greatest ecological impact—especially wetlands, estuaries, degraded landscapes, and coastal systems.

Swarts noted that aquatic species remain the most vulnerable, with freshwater and cartilaginous fishes ranked among the most threatened groups. Terrestrial species such as reptiles, birds, mammals, and plants are also experiencing alarming declines.

For the first time, the NBA documents severe species decline in Namaqualand, attributed to unsustainable land-use practices, illegal harvesting, and intensifying climate change impacts.

Signs of Hope – and New Global Indicators

Despite the grim findings, Swarts highlighted positive developments. Some species have shown improved protection status thanks to the expansion of protected areas and biodiversity stewardship programmes.

Significantly, the NBA now includes genetic diversity indicators, a global first. These reveal early signs of genetic erosion even in species not yet considered threatened. South Africa plans to report these indicators in its 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, positioning the country as a leader in biodiversity monitoring.

However, Swarts warned that sustained investment is essential to secure this critical component of the country’s natural heritage.

SANBI’s Central Role in Biodiversity Governance

Swarts reaffirmed the pivotal role of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) in advancing evidence-based environmental governance. Under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, SANBI is mandated to assess the country’s biodiversity health and guide national policy.

“The NBA is not just a report—it is a mirror reflecting our achievements and our challenges, and a compass guiding the choices we must make for a sustainable future,” Swarts said.

A Call for Collective Responsibility

The Deputy Minister’s message underscores the urgency of safeguarding ecosystems that support South Africa’s water security, economic sustainability, and climate resilience. Government, conservation agencies, scientists, and communities are urged to act collaboratively to restore degraded landscapes and protect species at risk.