The VEGMAP Project is a large collaborative project that was established to classify, map and sample the highly diverse vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and eSwatini. The components of the VEGMAP Project are fundamental tools used in environmental planning, conservation management, biodiversity assessment and research in South Africa. These components include:
The flagship product of the project is the National Vegetation Map (NVM) and together with the National Vegetation Database forms the foundational data for biodiversity management and a broad range of vegetation research conducted throughout South Africa, and sometimes globally as well. The project draws information from a combination of expert knowledge, existing vegetation maps, and extrapolation of environmental data and in few instances, results from plot data. A plot driven vegetation map supported by species data would have been ideal- however, this data is not available throughout South Africa. Therefore the National Vegetation Database seeks to collect and collate all vegetation plot data from across the country into a single shareable database.
A hierarchical structure, and a family of maps
Ecosystem mapping and classification work in South Africa's national maps are underpinned by the principles and approached outlined in the South African National Ecosystem Classification System (SA-NEC). All of the four realms (estuarine, freshwater, marine and terrestrial) have a nested hierarchical system with the broadest level at the top and increasing in resolution and complexity at lower levels. Therefore the National Vegetation Map has two main components (i) the classification system and (ii) the vegetation map.
Classification system
Vegetation types are nested within a hierarchy. At the highest level we have the nine biomes of South Africa. A tenth group of Azonal vegetation (vegetation that crosses climatic and geographic boundaries) are also included in our map. Each biome has unique bioclimatic features and important habitats for fauna and flora. South Africa's nine biomes include Grasslands, Fynbos, Savanna, Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo, Albany Thicket, Indian Ocean Coastal Belt, and Forests. Nested within the biomes we have Bioregions. This level is linked more strongly to management units. The 3rd level of the hierarchy and the core of the vegetation map is the vegetation type level. These units represent groups of communities that share similar biotic and abiotic features.
Map
Vegetation types described in the classification system are delineated in the National Vegetation Map. The vegetation map is a model of the historical extent of the vegetation types prior to the year 1750. To find out more about the vegetation map click here.
Iterative improvements over time
The map has been an improvement in scale and accuracy from previous maps. All three components of the VEGMAP project are dynamic resources that are reviewed periodically to ensure that the VEGMAP delivers information that reflects our current knowledge. The first NVM was released in 2006, with updates having been released in 2009, 2012, 2018, and 2024 (Fig. 1).
Figure 1. The original vegetation maps of South Africa by Pole-Evans, Acocks and Low & Rebelo, with the National Vegetation Map updates through twelve years of the project.
Whilst SANBI co-ordinates the maintenance, strategic direction and the distribution of VEGMAP resources, these processes are greatly supported by a large network of ecologists, biologists and conservation planners that make significant periodic contributions to the project. Strategic direction is also provided by a National Vegetation Map Committee that meets annually.
The Vegetation Map and the National Vegetation Database have been well established and both products are available for public use. Documentation formally outlining the structure and criteria for the classification is still in production.
How can you use the components of the VEGMAP project?
The vegetation map and database form the foundational data for environmental planning, conservation management and a broad range of vegetation research conducted throughout South Africa. Ecologists, environmental scientists, researchers and biodiversity planners use the vegetation map and national vegetation database as the foundational data, to determine biodiversity management plans for the vegetation types they work in. The latest version of the National Vegetation Map can be accessed here.
We have also created a free App version of the map to locate vegetation types across the country using your mobile phone. Simply use the App to pinpoint your location and show you which vegetation type you are in. Instructions for downloading the app are included when you download the latest version here.
The National Vegetation Database is currently not available online. However, you may send a data request through the BRAHMS online Portal.
You may also download the book and access other published resources from the website
How can you contribute?
There are many ways that users can contribute and we are continually appealing for constructive feedback regarding the vegetation map, and for standardised relevé data for the vegetation database. Kindly fill in our online questionnaire to provide feedback on the vegetation map. There is an approved mechanism in place enabling users of the map and interested contributors to submit to the committee their proposals for changes to the vegetation map. Guidelines for submitting changes are provided from this webpage under 'guidelines'. Please contact the Vegmap team at SANBI directly should you have any queries - see our contact details below.
If you do not have data for an area that you would like to see improved in the vegetation map but would still like to alert the VEGMAP team please fill in our online survey and let us know what the problem is, where to find it and how to contact you for more information.
We also encourage the development of a new generation of vegetation and ecosystem scientists who will carry forward the work of mapping the ecosystems of our country, and surveying the vegetation to enhance our knowledge and understanding of the vegetation of South Africa. If you would like some guidance regarding where to work, we are compiling a list of regions in which our knowledge of vegetation needs to be strengthened and you may contact us if you would like to know where these places are. On this website we also provide recommended guidelines for citing vegetation map resources.
The VEGMAP team have also launched a citizen scientist project on iNaturalist to create a central place for photos that represent the different vegetation types of South Africa. We would like to collect photos of the landscape showing plant communities that occur within a vegetation type. Your photos will help us build a photographic database of these communities that will be published online on SANBI’s website under the section describing vegetation types.
All you need to do is go to iNaturalist and under Community>Projects search for VEGMAPhoto (s Afr). Click on “Add Observation” and add your photo, select the vegetation type and submit. For detailed instructions click here.
Important links
Vegetation types in the map are nested within the nine South African biomes. Several biomes have regional forums that discuss conservation and management issues. These forums often host conferences and have links to relevant publications. Please click on the link below for more information:
The National Vegetation Map Committee
As a national resource, co-ordination of the VEGMAP Project requires collaboration between experts from all regions and disciplines across South Africa. We also need a review process guided by national experts. We work with a network of ecologists, botanists and conservation planners through two reference groups i.e. the National Vegetation Map Committee (NVMC) and the National Vegetation Map Associates (NVMA).
The purpose of the National Vegetation Map Committee is to help guide the strategic direction of the VEGMAP project, including managing the process of peer-review of proposed changes to the National Vegetation Map and/or accompanying descriptions following listed protocols and procedures and to approve proposed changes to the map and/or vegetation unit descriptions. The committee meets annually.
Members of the National Vegetation Map Committee include Dr Andrew Skowno, Ms Anisha Dayaram and Dr Tony Rebelo who are currently the principal SANBI staff members responsible for convening the committee and implementing approved updates to the national vegetation map. The committee also includes a range of vegetation experts from various organisations around the country.
The National Vegetation Map and ecosystem assessments
Ecosystem assessments, mandated by NEM:BA forms the basis for the biodiversity management and conservation, and highlights the ecosystems that are risk of being lost to human actions and natural global changes. In the terrestrial environment threatened ecosystems are identified by comparing the current extent of vegetation, derived from land cover, to a historical baseline. In South Africa the national vegetation map is used as a historical baseline for the analysis and the vegetation types classified in the map are synonymous with terrestrial ecosystem types.
Click here to visit the ecosystem assessment page.
Contact details:
E-mail: vegmap@sanbi.org.za