South African Key Biodiversity Areas

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are sites that are important for the global persistence of biodiversity, including vital habitat for threatened plant and animal species in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. The Global Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas (IUCN 2016) sets out globally agreed criteria for the identification of KBAs worldwide. 

BirdLife South Africa formed a strategic partnership with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) to initiate the KBA Programme in South Africa. Together they co-chair the KBA National Coordination Group, and are overseeing the technical review of South Africa’s network of KBAs. BirdLife South Africa is providing all the bird information to ensure all sites important for birds are considered for KBA status.