Little Karoo Biodiversity Assessment - Biodiversity GIS - SANBI

Table 5: Criteria used to identify threatened terrestrial ecosystems, with thresholds for criticallyendangered (CR), endangered (EN) and vulnerable (VU) ecosystems (SANBI 2008).Criterion CR EN VURemaining natural Remaining naturalhabitat ≤habitat ≤biodiversity target (biodiversity target +A1: Irreversible loss of naturalhabitatA2: Ecosystem degradationand loss of integrity*B: Rate of loss of naturalhabitat**C: Limited extent andimminent threat*D1: Threatened plant speciesassociationsD2: Threatened animal speciesassociations**E: Priority areas for meetingexplicit biodiversity targets asdefined in a systematicbiodiversity plan≥ 60% of ecosystemsignificantlydegraded15%)≥ 40% of ecosystemsignificantlydegraded-- Ecosystem extent ≤ 3000ha, and imminentthreat≥ 80 threatenedRed Data List plantspeciesVery highirreplaceability andhigh threat≥ 60 threatened RedData List plantspeciesVery highirreplaceability andmedium threatRemaining naturalhabitat ≤ 60% oforiginal area ofecosystem≥ 20% of ecosystemsignificantlydegradedEcosystem extent ≤ 6000ha, andimminent threat≥ 40 threatened RedData List plantspeciesVery highirreplaceability andlow threatF: Fragmentation*** Because of data constraints, Criteria A2 and C have been applied to forests but not to other vegetationtypes. ** Because of data constraints, Criteria B and D2 are dormant at this stage and thresholds have notbeen set for these criteria. Further testing of Criterion F is needed to determine whether it is a workable criterionfor terrestrial ecosystems.Kannaland, Oudtshoorn and DMA04 Biodiversity Assessment – Final Report August 2010 13