Directory of southern African conservation areas

Abstract

This Directory provides detailed information on 155 conservation areas of greater than 1 000 ha administered by government and statutory bodies in the Republics of South Africa, Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Ciskei and Venda, and the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland. The data sheets for each of the 155 areas described include details on date of proclamation, geographical features, vegetation, flora and fauna, infrastructure and principal reference material. A synthesis of the data examines the historical development of the conservation area network in Southern Africa, and provides analyses of the area conserved by state, province, management category, management authority and by biome and vegetation type. The synthesis concludes that greater emphasis should be placed on the acquisition of more land for conservation in the highveld grassland, succulent Karoo and lowland fynbos ecosystems of Southern Africa. The conserved areas cover a total of 5,76 million hectares, or 4,5% of Southern Africa.