Journal Article

Horizon scanning for South African biodiversity

Child, Matthew F., Smith, Yvette C. Ehlers, Egoh, Benis N., Gillson, Lindsey, Smith, David A. Ehlers, Tolley, Krystal A., Alexander, Graham J., Seymour, Colleen L., da Silva, Jessica M., Suleman, Essa, Skowno, Andrew L., Veldtman, Ruan, Anderson, Pippin, Curie, Jock C., Esler, Karen J., O’Farrell, Patrick J., Downs, Colleen T.

2020

Overview

A horizon scan was conducted to identify emerging and intensifying issues for biodiversity conservation in South Africa over the next 5–10 years. South African biodiversity experts submitted 63 issues of which ten were identified as priorities using the Delphi method. These priority issues were then plotted along axes of social agreement and scientific certainty, to ascertain whether issues might be “simple” (amenable to solutions from science alone), “complicated” (socially agreed upon but technically complicated), “complex” (scientifically challenging and significant levels of social disagreement) or “chaotic” (high social disagreement and highly scientifically challenging). Only three of the issues were likely to be resolved by improved science alone, while the remainder require engagement with social, economic and political factors. Fortunately, none of the issues were considered chaotic. Nevertheless, strategic communication, education and engagement with the populace and policy makers were considered vital for addressing emerging issues.

• Publisher: Springer Science + Business Media,Springer Netherlands,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Atmospheric Sciences / Biodiversity / Biodiversity conservation / Conservation / Conservation of Natural Resources / Delphi method / Earth and Environmental Science / Ecology / Economic factors / Economics / education / Environment / Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology / Environmental Management / Environmental policy / experts / issues and policy / Physical Geography / Policy making / Political factors / Politics / RESEARCH ARTICLE / Social factors / South Africa / Wildlife conservation