Intersection of ecosystem threat status and protection level

Terrestrial realm

Andrew L. Skowno1, 2 , Maphale S. Monyeki1 , Sediqa. Khatieb1

1. South African National Biodiversity Institute

2. University of Cape Town

Published

November 11, 2025

The intersection of ecosystem threat status and protection level reveals protected areas expansion priorities and challenges in Fynbos, Grassland and Desert Biomes.

The Endangered Black Harrier: an iconic species of the highly threatened renosterveld ecosystems of the Fynbos Biome (© Odette Curtis-Scott)
23%
of 463 ecosystem types
Highly threatened and under protected
57%
of 30 renosterveld ecosystem types

Close to a quarter (105/463) of terrestrial ecosystems are highly threatened and under protected (Critically Endangered or Endangered and Not Protected or Poorly Protected). Three of the six ecosystem types making up the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt Biome, and 40% of Fynbos ecosystem types (50/126) fall into this category. Within the Fynbos Biome, renosterveld ecosystems are particularly highly threatened and under protected (17/30 types), highlighting a general trend globally where fragmented lowland regions which have seen extensive habitat loss from cropland development and human settlement are rarely included in protected areas networks. Recent biodiversity stewardship efforts in the Overberg region have seen some of these ecosystems and their iconic and threatened species receive formal protection (read more here).

Figure 1. Highly threatened and under protected ecosystem types.
Table 1. The intersection of terrestrial ecosystem threat status and protection level reveals potential priority areas of action.
Not Protected Poorly Protected Moderately Protected Well Protected Total
Critically Endangered 25 23 7 8 63
Endangered 18 39 8 3 68
Vulnerable 4 4 1 1 10
Least Concern 65 97 51 109 322
Total (n) 112 163 67 121 463