1.0

-

-

Ecosystem protection level tells us whether ecosystems are adequately protected or under-protected. Ecosystem types are categorized as not protected, poorly protected, moderately protected or well protected, based on the proportion of each ecosystem type that occurs within a not protected, poorly protected, moderately protected or well protected, based on the proportion of each ecosystem type that occurs within a protected area recognized in the Protected Areas Act.

The assessment of ecosystem level is then evaluated as the proportion of each vegetation type protected relative to the biodiversity target.

The ecosystem protection level status was assigned using the following:

i) If an ecosystem type has more than 100% of its biodiversity target protected in a formal protected area either A or B we classify it as Well Protected

ii) When less than 100% of the biodiversity target is met in formal A or B protected areas it is classified it as Moderately Protected,

iii) If less than 50% of the biodiversity target is met, it is classified it as Poorly Protected,

iv) If less than 5% it is Hardly Protected.

This shapefile uses the South African Vegetation Map as a base file. Most of the original attributes of the original vegetation map are retained. For the purpose of the NBA all vegetation types are classified as ecosystems. The “map code” column and vegmap avl can be used to view the South African vegetation map. To view the ecosystem protection level the “PROTEC_LEV” field together with the “vegmap_ecosystem_protection_level” layer file to display ecosystem protection level. The “NBA_NAME” field shows the name of the ecosystem used for this analysis. Names for the protection level analysis will come from either the South African vegetation map or the DAFF forest patches. The “VEG_SOURCE” columns will indicate where the ecosystem name and description is from.

See and refer to the following reports for more information:

National Biodiversity Assessment 2011 Synthesis Report. Driver et al 2012. (available on BGIS website)

National Biodiversity Assessment 2011 Terrestrial Report. (available on BGIS website)

SANS 1878

FGDC-STD-001-1998