Biodiversity observation - an overview of the current state and first results of biodiversity monitoring studies

Abstract

Th e SASSCAL region is home to a very rich biodiversity, which provides signifi cant economic and intrinsic value to human society. Th is biodiversity, however, is subject to multiple stresses emerging from human land use and climate change, which leads to biodiversity loss at substantial scale. To assess the current state and changes in biodiversity in the SASSCAL region, a standardised biodiversity observation network has been established. Th e network comprises 47 biodiversity observatories and 10 auxiliary observatories, where biodiversity change is monitored according to a standardised approach. Th e network currently covers the countries of Angola, Namibia, Zambia, and South Africa.