As a South African endemic species, Botha’s Lark is exclusively represented across highland grassland within eastern South Africa. This species is confined to high altitude, short, dense and heavily grazed grassland on clayey soils.

This species has undergone a range contraction and is thought to have experienced a population decline of 30% over the past three generations. Threats facing this species include habitat loss, degradation, transformation and fragmentation.

Project aims/activities:

  • Conduct a global assessment of the current status of this species across its range to better inform conservation measures undertaken.
  • Assess the rate of habitat loss for this species over recent times (1999 – 2017), as well as potential future loss through climate change.
  • Develop a conservation network for this species incorporating the core sites that have remained most stable and could allow the species to persist.