The Heart of Our Mission

Have you ever wondered about the science that powers SANBA behind the scenes?

Since its establishment in 2004, the SANBA has expanded its focus beyond plants—taking on the full spectrum of biodiversity. This shift marked a transformation from its predecessor, the National Botanical Institute, to a national leader in biodiversity research, conservation, and policy support.

While SANBA continues to manage South Africa’s National Botanical and Zoological Gardens, it also plays a vital role in producing, coordinating, and applying scientific knowledge to guide biodiversity-related policies and decisions across the country.

Visual representation of SANBA’s approach to biodiversity science, policy integration, and ecosystem impact

How Our Science Works

Our scientific work follows a value chain that begins with basic biodiversity data and builds into tools, models, and assessments. These outputs directly inform policy and support broader national goals like poverty reduction, job creation, and improved quality of life.

1. Laying the Foundations of Biodiversity

We begin with fundamental research—surveying, identifying, and mapping South Africa’s ecosystems and species. Our core questions include:  

  • What species exist?
  • How should they be classified?
  • Where are they found, and in what numbers?

This foundational work is supported by critical resources such as:  

  • National herbaria  
  • SANBA’s DNA bank  
  • The Millennium Seed Bank  
  • The National Vegetation Map

2. Building Biodiversity Knowledge

From these foundations, we expand our understanding through monitoring and assessments. Our goal is to evaluate the health of ecosystems and species, and determine how best to safeguard biodiversity and its benefits.

This includes work in:  

  • Molecular and population ecology  
  • Ecosystem services  
  • Invasive and threatened species  
  • Climate change impact  
  • Sustainable wildlife trade

3. Translating Science into Action

We use this scientific knowledge to create practical tools and give policy advice—enabling decision-makers to manage land, water, and biodiversity more effectively.

We help answer key questions such as:  

  • How can biodiversity contribute to economic development without harming natural ecosystems?  
  • In what ways can biodiversity support climate resilience?  
  • What ecological infrastructure is essential for delivering ecosystem services?  
  • How can the biodiversity sector help create urgently needed jobs?

Major programmes in this area include:  

  • SANBA’s Biodiversity Policy Advice unit  
  • Bioregional programmes under biodiversity mainstreaming  
  • The Scientific Authorit

Bridging the Full Value Chain

Some of our flagship initiatives span the entire scientific value chain. For example:  

  • The National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA): A major national report that evaluates the current state of biodiversity using top-tier science.  
  • The Karoo BioGaps Project: A model initiative where foundational data on species and habitats directly informs land-use planning and development decisions.

Driving Innovation and Capacity

All of SANBA’s science is backed by robust information management systems. At the same time, we invest in human capital by nurturing skills and talent within the biodiversity sector.

With numerous units and programmes operating under the Biodiversity Science umbrella, you can explore more by using the search tool or navigating the menu on the left.