Freshwater ecosystems – rivers and inland wetlands – are the lifeblood of South Africa, underpinning our water security, economy, and cultural heritage. However, more than 60% are in a compromised ecological condition. This places the vital services they provide, and the incredible biodiversity they support at risk. It is greatly concerning that the number of threatened freshwater species continues to rise.
of 222 river ecosystem types
Threatened
13%
of 222 river ecosystem types
Well Protected
of 82 inland wetland types
Threatened
5%
of 82 inland wetland types
Well Protected
of 655 freshwater taxa assessed
Threatened
of 396 freshwater taxa assessed
Not Protected
Rivers and inland wetlands are among the most threatened1 and least protected ecosystems in South Africa. More than 64% of river ecosystem types and 73% of wetland ecosystem types are threatened (key message B2).
Over 30% (82/222) of river ecosystem types are both highly threatened and under-protected. Approximately 12% (17/82) of inland wetland ecosystem types are highly threatened and under-protected.
It follows that the freshwater species which these ecosystems support are increasingly highly threatened. Over 36% of all assessed freshwater taxa and 66% of assessed endemic freshwater taxa are threatened, while 36% of all freshwater fishes and 66% of endemic freshwater fishes are threatened.
Freshwater fishes are the most threatened taxon group in South Africa. With escalating pressures from human activities and climate change, it is highly concerning that 59 waterbird species have been uplisted, with 5 listed as Endangered, 11 Vulnerable and the remaining Near Threatened, while the African shaggy rat (previously African marsh rat) and the laminate vlei rat have been uplisted from Least Concern to Near Threatened. This is the first time that freshwater invertebrates have been included in the national biodiversity assessment.
In the face of increasing pressures, South African freshwater ecosystems continue to degrade faster than the investment in their conservation, management and rehabilitation. Key pressures include disruptions to the hydrological regime, deteriorating water quality (key message A3), direct habitat loss and biological invasions (key message A4), as well as the exacerbating effect of climate change (key message A1).
As freshwater ecosystems are affected by land use within their receiving catchment (key message A2), they are not easily protected within nature reserves and, therefore, implementation of other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs2), ecological corridors and sustained hydrological and sediment connectivity is vital. We must collaborate across all levels of society (key message C1) to conserve and wisely manage our remaining intact rivers and inland wetlands, and the freshwater species and downstream estuaries, marine ecosystems and people that they support. Urgent action is required to increase attention and funding on freshwater ecosystems and species, and to implement restorative actions in strategically identified areas.
More information on river ecosystems
More information on inland wetland ecosystems
More information on freshwater species
Notes
Ecosystem types and species are referred to as ‘threatened’ when they have been categorised as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable.↩︎
Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) are defined as “a geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and other locally relevant values”. For more information on wetland-related opportunities, see Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) for the conservation and wise use of wetlands | The Convention on Wetlands, The Convention on Wetlands.↩︎