Republic of Zambia

Ministry of Lands Natural Resources and Environmental

Protection

United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity

Fifth National Report

June 2015

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 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1-Importance of Biodiversity in Zambia

Zambia is endowed with an abundance of natural resources and a rich biological diversity. Like
other developing countries, Zambia is highly dependent on the exploitation of biological
resources for the livelihood of the majority of its people especially those living in rural areas.
The importance of biodiversity for Zambia lies mainly in its contribution to the provision of
ecosystem goods and services for national economic development and livelihoods. At the
ecosystem level, forests, agro-ecosystems and wetlands can be distinguished as the key
ecosystem components that have a relatively greater bearing on the country’s natural system
integrity upon which the national economy and the livelihoods of the population depend.

2- Approach to Biodiversity Conservation

The approach taken to conserve biodiversity in Zambia has been through the management of
existing protected areas system falling under the management of sectoral units of government
and statutory bodies. There is need for a unified approach to biodiversity conservation in
Zambia. The NBSAP of 1999 had no implementation plan and monitoring framework that has
been used to systematically monitor the status and trends of the biodiversity groups and actions
for implementation as recommended. The country has depended largely on the fragmented
sector based activities to conserve, monitor the status, trends and threats to biodiversity in
Zambia.
As a result, the overall status of biodiversity in the country since the Fourth National Report is
largely based on literature review of sector based work due to lack of a systematic long term
investment framework at national level and inadequate support at international level in
supporting Zambia’s long term biodiversity monitoring.
3- Status of Biodiversity
3.1 National Protected Areas System

The network of Zambia’s statutory protected areas (PA) is composed of over 63,580 km2 in 20
National Parks (NPs), about 167,557 km2 in 36 Game Management Areas (GMAs) and about
74,361 km2 in 490 Forest Reserves (FRs).. Although more than 18% of the country is made up
of (NPs) and almost 10% made up of FRs, there is need for continuous monitoring plan and
action to follow up on the baselines emerging from the project works done such as the
Reclassification of protected areas which focused largely on National Parks and Game
Management areas and the Integrated Land Use Assessment focused on methodology for a
National Inventory of forests rather than adequately including the species diversity within the
sampled areas for the forest inventory.
The key changes in the status of National Parks, Forest reserves and the Game Management
protected area system since the Fourth National Report is the creation of a new Lusaka
National Park, degazetting of some forest reserves and the identification of gaps of

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representation of plant and animal species within the existing National Parks and Game
Management Areas by the reclassification conservation plan.
Lusaka National Park was declared a national park in 2011. The recommendations from the
reclassificastion conservation plan for filling the gaps in biodiversity representation included the
need to carry out a comprehensive gap analysis of the species and improvement of the
management effectiveness of the national protected areas system.
3.2 Wetlands

3.3 Zambia has Eight Wetlands of International Importance which include, the Kafue Flats
(Lochnivar and Blue Lagoon National Parks) Bangweulu Swamps (Chikuni), Lukanga
Swamps, Busanga, Lake Tanganyika,, Luangwa Floodplains, Lukanga swamps, Barotse
floodplain) listed under the Ramsar Convention. These wetlands are habitats of several
important fauna and flora species including some endemic and endangered
species.(ZAWA, 2015)

3.4 Agro-Ecosystems
There are three agro-ecological regions in Zambia classified based on amount of rainfall
received, patterns and to a limited extent the soil types. Each of these regions has a diverse
farming systems and dominant crops grown. Agro-ecological region I covering parts of the
south and western part of the country is characterized by short growing season due to low and
poorly distributed rainfall with a mean annual rainfall of between 600 and 800 mm, and the
length of the growing season varying from 80 to 120 days. Agro-ecological II covering part of
Southern, Central and Eastern part of the country receives between 800 and 1000 mm of rain
annually. The length of the rain season ranges from 100 to 140 days. The medium rainfall and
a relatively high number of sunshine hours (5 to 6) in Region II favour the production of
many types of crops, making it the major agricultural production area in Zambia. Agro-
ecological Zone III covering the Northern and North-western parts of the country is classified
as high rainfall region, receiving rainfall above 1000 mm per annum on average, the length of
the rain season ranges from 120 to 150 days.The soils are highly leached and generally acidic,
making this as one of the major constraints to agricultural production while rearing of
livestock is constrained by the prevalence of a number of pests and diseases.

3.4 Important Bird Areas

At present, about 82% of the area covered by Important Bird Areas receives some form of
protection (National Park: 60%, Game Management Area: 19%, National Forest: 2% privately
owned: 1%). The remaining 18% are in open areas with no legal status; a few of these have
developed some local by-laws with the help of chiefs and traditional leaders.
3.5 Flowering Plants

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The assessment of flowering plants diversity in Zambia was undertaken using available data
from field inventories. The total species of wild flowering plants in Zambia is estimated at 3,543.
These are made up of 273 sedges, 2,660 herbaceous plants and 1,610 woody plants.
Most of the data are on tree species and therefore underestimate the diversity of flowering
plants in the country. The largest areas of high woody plant species richness (36 – 48 species
ha-1) are in northern and north-western Zambia. The largest continuous area under forest
reservation in this species-rich block is in the Kafue Headwaters, There are three other smaller
blocks of high woody plant species richness: Mansa, Mkushi and Siavonga.

3.6 Mammal Species

The stocktaking assessment for mammals was mostly concentrated on critical mammal species
(threatened, endangered and vulnerable) due to a number of challenges including limited time as
well as difficulties in accessing some data. The estimates of mammal diversity in Zambia is
around 224 species. The REMNPAS (2010) on the other hand reports that approximately 43
species of large mammals are important; firstly on account of the potential income that can be
generated from their use in photographic and consumptive tourism, secondly, their contribution
to local household economies, as a source of protein and as a source of income through illegal
market structures, and thirdly, their aesthetical appreciation by the global community including
their existence value. According to the 2014 Red List of Threatened Species, over 28 animal
species and subspecies are considered as threatened, endangered or vulnerable in Zambia.
3.7 Fish Species
Four Hundred and ninety (490) species of fish have been reported in different water bodies of
Zambia belonging to twenty four families. The stocktaking assessment exercise revealed that
most of the studies of fish biodiversity in Zambia were undertaken mainly to support fisheries
(fish stock assessment studies) work on gazetted to commercial fishery areas, on large water
bodies. Relatively few sections of large fishery areas had fish specimens sampled. Other
segments of large water bodies have not been investigated. Families that are important in the
artisanal, commercial fisheries and aquaculture are well developed while small fish that are not
important in artisanal and commercial fisheries have not been extensively investigated.
3.8 Crop and Livestock genetic resources
The proportion of crops categorized as indigenous, which are those domesticated or originating
within Africa (such as sorghum, millets, cowpea, Bambara groundnuts, sesame and a range of
vegetable species) take about 15 percent of the total number of cultivated crops.The gene bank
conserves both inter-specific and intra-specific diversity of crop species and needs to be
supported with adequate equipment, manpower and financial resources to more acceptable
levels than currently levels. Some of the crops, whose Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) have
received relatively more attention in terms of collection, characterization and conservation in
Zambia include Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), Rice (Oryza sativa), Finger millet (Eleusin
ecoracana), Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor).
The traditional subsector owns the majority of livestock in Zambia (83% cattle, 97% goats,
64% sheep and 90% pigs) as indigenous breeds or crosses with exotic breeds The difficulties
associated with accessing feeds and drugs has made many rural small pig producers to turn to

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indigenous breeds with little management requirements and natural resistance to diseases
compared to exotic breeds.

3.9 Invertebrates
The total diversity of invertebrates in Zambia is estimated at 6,135 species (Professor Keith
Mbata, personal communication), of these 69 species are endemic and 14 (mainly fresh water
molluscs) are threatened. There are 57 identified and known species of Molluscs in Zambia. The
centers of molluscan endemism are Lake Tanganyika, Mweru wantipa and the Barotse plains.
Endemic molluscs in Zambia include Gabbiella stanleyi, G. zambica and Mutela zambesiensis,
the first two only known from their type localities (Chitipa, Eastern Zambia and Mankoyo,
Northwestern Zambia respectively). More than 200 Crustacean species are known in various
ecosystems in Zambia, of which more than half are endemic to Zambia.
3.10 Vertebrates
The diversity of Amphibians (frogs and toads) in Zambia is estimated at 74 species and there is
no discernible geographical gradient in species richness. A total of 13 species are rare having
been recorded in one locality only. The diversity of reptiles (lizards, snakes and tortoises) in
Zambia is estimated at 156 species. A total of 45 species are considered rare because they have
been recorded in only one locality.
4-Trends and Threats to Biodiversity in Zambia
4.1 Forest reserves and plant species
A time series comparison of Forest Department data shows a significant deterioration in the
integrity and quality of national forests. Soaring levels of encroachment through cultivation and
settlement have compromised some Protected National and Local Forests. By 2011, it was
estimated that less than half of the National Forest estate could be considered free from some
form of encroachment or settlement.
A significant reduction in the area under National Forest has taken place withmore than
280,000 ha of forest reserve being de-gazetted or excised over the past decade. In North-
Western Province, it is estimated that at least 350,000 ha of national forest is undergoing
conversion, a process driven mostly by mining related activities. The negative impact of the loss
of protected forests in North-Western Province is disproportionately high and alarming as this
is the province, which hitherto, had most of its area remaining with intact forests. Northern
Zambia has lost much of its primary forest cover, largely due to shifting cultivation. This is
also the area with the highest tree species diversity as well as the highest species density of
miombo genera.
Uncontrolled bush fires also contribute to forest degradation in Zambia. Most wild fires that
damage forests and woodlands in Zambia are caused by human activity. Timing and frequency
of fires determine the effect of fire on the ecosystem.

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A number of timber trees are locally threatened due to overexploitation that has caused mature
tree individuals to become rare. These include Afzelia quanzensis, Daniela ostiniana,
Pterocarpus angolensis, Khaya nyasica and Mitragyna stipulosa and more recently the Mukula
tree (Pterocarpus chrysothrix).This is in spite of declaring some of these species as protected or
reserved.

4.2 National Parks and mammal species

Out of the 20 National Parks, two are degraded (Lochnivar and Mosi-oa-Tunya) and six are
encroached (Lukusuzi, Mweru-Wantipa, Nsumbu, Isangano, Sioma Ngwezi and Lower
Zambezi). Lochnivar NP has been invaded by the prickly bush, Mimosa pigra, while Mosi-oa-
Tunya NP has been invaded by Lantana camara and water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes.. In
addition, some national parks have suffered greatly from excessive illegal hunting (poaching)
which now threatens the viability of a number of larger mammals, especially those with a low
intrinsic growth rate, such as the elephant.
It is quite difficult to establish an up-to-date picture of the wildlife status and trends in Zambia
due to inadequate data on sightings, sizes and distribution for most species. However, data
collected revealed that a number of surveys have been conducted to obtain information on
abundance and distribution status of large mammals between the year 2000 and 2014 in
National Parks (NPs) and Game Management Areas (GMAs), showing generally a neutral
trend across the national parks surveyed for many of species. Unplanned human settlement in
GMAs and encroachment in NPs is one of the major long-term threats to wildlife survival as this
results in the destruction and reduction in the size of available habitat for mammals. Mining
activities in certain protected areas such as Kafue NP, Lochnivar, Lower Zambezi and
Lukusuzi NPs have had negative effects on wildlife species and their habitats.

4.3 Invertebrates
Studies on the Kafue ecosystem indicate that effluents from the mines affected the diversity of
butterflies, dragonflies and other benthonic invertebrates by significant levels with increasing
redox, electrical conductivity and turbidity. Quantities of caterpillar worm in Mpika, Chinsali
and central Zambia have significantly reduced between 2008 and 2013. There seems to be
several factors that may be responsible for this reduction. With minimal barriers to entry into
both the collection and trade of the worm, coupled with increasing incidence of poverty in
landscapes where the worms are found, there is a general increasing trend of overexploitation
and a decline in selective harvesting.
4.4 Fish species
The planned construction of dams at Devil's and Batoka Gorges, as well as some sites below
Cabora Bassa, could destroy the last remaining riverine habitats and fishes of the Lower
Zambezi. As the need for electricity increases, the demand for the construction of additional
hydroelectricity infrastructures increases. Currently, plans are underwayfor establishing
hydroelectric projects along the Kalungwishi River. This is an area where the biodiversity of
the river system is not well known.

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Aquaculture affects fish biodiversity among others mainly through the escape of farmed fish
into the wild. For example, the Oreochromis niloticus that was at one time farmed in
Mazabuka area, has escaped into the Kafue River and has since spread to all parts of the
Kafue Flats. There may not only be competition between this species and the indigenous species
of the area but hybridisation between the introduced species and the indigenous Oreochromis
niloticus is taking place. This has most likely altered the genetic composition of the cichlid
species of the Kafue Flats and the catchment areas.
4.5. Agro biodiversity
Although Zambia has not officially sanctioned the growing of GMOs and this is prohibited by
law, the country continues to be under threat from importation of agricultural products. There is
also mounting pressure from seed companies to introduce genetically modified seed varieties.
It has also been observed that more and more land continues to be taken up by cash crops
(monocrops) such as cotton, tobacco and hybrid maize, thereby reducing the land area under
traditional crops and by implication on-farm genetic diversity.

4.6 Climate change

Studies indicate that as a result of the projected increased rainfall variability and higher
temperatures due to climate change a number of biodiversity components will be negatively
affected such as fish species, wildlife and forests. This is because these climate change effects
are likely to alter the ecosystems and habitats and subsequently species. These indications point
to the need for urgent attention to be paid to climate change for biodiversity conservation.

5- Country Biodiversity Targets and Actions Taken

Zambia’s 1999 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) set out a total of 14
targets. NBSAP implementation towards the set targets encountered a number of problems,
notably: (a) lack of a monitoring framework to assess changes in the baselines and the absence of
a financing framework with clear commitments from both the Zambian Government and support
from external sources. The draft monitoring plan developed was never fully developed and
adopted. A cursory review of achievements towards the set targets under the 1999 NBSAP
shows very weak direct results. Most of the actions taken could broadly be classified as means
rather than ends in meeting the set targets. In other cases, there were very few direct actions
taken and hence limited data available.

6-Mainstreaming of Biodiversity into Relevant Sectoral and Cross Sectoral Strategies,

Plans and Programmes
Between 2009 and 2014, Zambia has undertaken a number of Policy, Legal and Regulatory
(PLR) reforms, all supportive of biodiversity conservation in the country. Among the key
achievements was the enactment of the Environmental Management Act (EMA) in 2011. The
EMA is the parent environmental legislation regulating environmental issues in the country with
strict requirements for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental
Assessment (SEA) for any large scale development projects. The WildlifeAct is also under
review while the revised Forest Policy has been approved and the Forest Bill is pending

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enactment by Parliament after having been passed by the Cabinet. In addition a National
Heritage Policy is also under formulation.
7- Progress Towards the 2010 Aichi Targets and 2015 Targets of the Millennium
Development Goals
The progress towards the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and
its Aichi Biodiversity Targets began in earnest in Zambia in 2015 due to administrative
challenges at institutional level for the focal ministry arising from the ushering in of a new
government in Zambia (2011) that took the restructuring of the Ministry quite long.
As a result the Ministry only managed to start the process of revising the NBSAP and preparing
the Fifth a national Report with an inception workshop in December 2014 on how the the 1999
NBSAP will be updated in line with the Global CBD Strategic Plan and its Aichi Targets. Part of
the first outputs of the updating the 1999 NBSAP process is the stocktaking assessment
exercise whose initial results are reflected in this report.

8- Lessons Learned from the Implementation of the UNCBD Convention

The key lessons learned in the implementation of the convention are as flows:
a) The current NBSAP (1999) was not implemented in a systematic manner and this needs to
be addressed in the revised NBSAP by ensuring that the revised NBSAP has, besides an Action
Plan, an Implementation Plan and a Monitoring Framework against which progress towards the
recommended actions or targets can be clearly monitored.
b) The 1999 NBSAP was implemented through sector and project-based activities with little
coordination for synergies thereby resulting in some overlaps. For example, the integrated land
use assessment under forestry did not pay attention to collect information on biodiversity
components of the plant species when it was very well placed to do so. This calls for a well-
coordinated institutional arrangement for the implementation of biodiversity actions to achieve
cost effectiveness and efficiency in conserving biodiversity.
c) The state of the biodiversity information base in Zambia has not improved on the 1999 stock
assessment that came up with the species and ecosystems lists and status and therefore has
very outdated baseline for monitoring the status and trends of the biodiversity components.
This calls for long term investment in a well-coordinated and mainstreamed biodiversity
monitoring system. The Convention on Biological Diversity should rally behind and support
resource poor countries like Zambia in setting up and institutionalizing such systems.
d) Zambia is a huge country with well-endowed natural resources in which biodiversity is
embedded. Taking into account the resource base the country has to share between human
development activities and conservation activities, the need for a rationalization of the protected
areas system remains imperative. There is need to revisit the reclassification efforts as the
previous efforts failed to fully meet the original objective for rationalization of the Zambian
Protected Areas network. A rationalized network has better chances for conservation and
monitoring.

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e) Biodiversity components have intricate relationship to livelihoods and national economic
developments. As a result the conservation efforts need to take into account how biodiversity
conservation can contribute to livelihoods while at the same time developing mechanisms for
how communities and other stakeholders (including the private sector) who benefit from the
environmental goods and services can also contribute to its conservation. This should be at the
core of conservation efforts in Zambia.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................... i
TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................ viii
LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................................... x
LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................................... x
LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................. xi
CHAPTER 1:............................................................................................................................................... 1
OVERVIEW OF BIODIVERSITY STATUS, TRENDS , THREATS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR
HUMAN WELL-BEING ............................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Importance of Biodiversity in Zambia .......................................................................................... 1
1.2 Changes in Status, Trends and Threats to Biodiversity ......................................................................... 6
1.2.1 Overall status of biodiversity ....................................................................................................... 6
1.2.2 Overview of the forest estate and protected area system status ................................................... 8
1.2.3 Aquatic ecosystems status.......................................................................................................... 12
1.2.4 Status of Important Bird Areas of Zambia ................................................................................. 12
1.2.5 Agro-ecological systems status .................................................................................................. 14
1.3 Species diversity status........................................................................................................................ 14
1.4 Trends and Threats to Biodiversity in Zambia ........................................................................... 19
1.4.1 Trends and threats to forest reserves and plant species.............................................................. 19
1.4.2 Trends and threats to national parks, game management areas and mammals .......................... 22
1.4.3 Trends and threats to birds ......................................................................................................... 25
1.4.4 Trends and threats to aquatic systems and fish .......................................................................... 27
1.4.5 Trends and threats to invertebrates and their habitats ................................................................ 28
CHAPTER 2 .............................................................................................................................................. 30
CURRENT STATUS OF THE NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN,
ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND THE MAINSTREAMING OF BIODIVERSITY .......................... 30

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 2.1 Country Biodiversity Targets and Actions Taken .......................................................................... 30
2.2 Revision and Update of the 1999 NBSAP ........................................................................................ 32
2.2.1 Scoping- gathering of baseline data ........................................................................................ 33
2.2.2 Stocktaking and status assessment ......................................................................................... 33
2.2.3 Thematic analysis ..................................................................................................................... 33
2.2.4 Identification of major strategies............................................................................................ 34
2.2.5 Setting National Targets, Principles and Priorities............................................................... 34
2.2.6 Development of the Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and Fifth
National Report ................................................................................................................................. 34
2.2.7 Development of Implementation Plans .................................................................................. 34
2.2.8 Assessment of Institutional Arrangements ............................................................................ 34
2.2.9 Assessment of resource needs.................................................................................................. 35
2.3 Mainstreaming of Biodiversity into Relevant Sectoral and Cross Sectoral Strategies, Plans and
Programmes .............................................................................................................................. 35
CHAPTE III .............................................................................................................................................. 39
PROGRESS TOWARDS THE 2010 AICHI BIODIVERSITY TARGETS AND POST 2015
TARGETS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS ..................................................................... 39
3.1 Progress Towards the 2010 Aichi Targets .......................................................................................... 39
3.2 Table on Progress Towards Meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Targets ................................................. 39
3.3 Revising of the NBSAP of 1999 ......................................................................................................... 44
3.4 Lessons Learned from the Implementation of the Convention ........................................................... 44
ANNEX 1: INFORMATION CONCERNING REPORTING PARTY AND PROCESS IN THE PREPARATION OF THE
NATIONAL REPORT ..................................................................................................................... 46
A. Reporting Party .......................................................................................................................... 46
B. Process of preparation of national report .................................................................................. 47
ANNEX 2: CRITICAL MAMMAL SPECIES IN ZAMBIA AND THEIR STATUS................................................... 48
ANNEX 3: CULTIVATED CROPS AND THEIR WILD RELATIVES AND OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION IN
ZAMBIA ....................................................................................................................................... 49
ANNEX 4: SOURCES OF INFORMATION ..................................................................................................... 50

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Total area of Zambia by all land use class/forest types (‘000 ha and %) ...................................... 7
Table 2: Approximate ecosystem representation in Zambia’s National Parks and Forest Reserves........... 9
Table 3: Summary of vegetation types and their distribution in Zambia .................................................. 10
Table 4: Crop species and number of accessions ...................................................................................... 16
Table 5: Other aquatic invertebrates known to occur in Zambia .............................................................. 17
Table 6: National Forest (NF) protected forest reserves in Zambia, by province, 2000 and 2011 ........... 18
Table 7: Estimate of extent of habitat conversion in some selected GMAs .............................................. 22
Table 8: Number of fires in the Kafue National Park and estimated areas burnt (in hectares) ................. 25
Table 9: Threats to birds, drivers, severity and indicators ........................................................................ 27
Table 10: Biodiversity targets under the 1999 NBSAP and achievements ............................................... 30
Table 11: Zambia’s efforts towards mainstreaming biodiversity in the relevant PLR framework ........... 36

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure1: Potected areas, game management areas and forest reserves in Zambia ...................................... 8
Figure2: Zambia watersheds ..................................................................................................................... 11
Figure3: Important bird areas of Zambia .................................................................................................. 12
Figure4: Agro-ecological zones of Zambia ............................................................................................... 13
Figure5: Modeled spatial pattern of forest cover loss in 2005 in Zambia ................................................. 19
Figure6:Degradation of savanna woodland by late dry season fires in Chisamba area in
central Zambia in 2012 ............................................................................................................... 20

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Figure7:Impacts of unlicenced mining activities in the Kafue National Park........................................... 24
Figure8: Degree of threats and pressures on Zambia’s mammal species .................................................. 25
Figure 9: NBSAP revision framework and step-wise process .................................................................. 39

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AFDB African Development Bank

CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
CBNRM Community Based Natural Resources Management
CIFOR Centre for International Forestry Research
CPFP Country Partnership Framework Paper
CRB Community Resources Board
CSO Central Statistics Office
CWR Crop Wild Relatives
ECZ Environmental Council of Zambia
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EMA Environmental Management Act
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations
FD Forestry Department
FNDP Fifth National Development Plan
FR Forest Reserve
FSP Fertiliser Support Programme
GDP Gross Domestic Project
GEF Global Environment Fund
GMAs Game Management Areas
GMOs Genetic Modified Organisms
GRZ Government Republic of Zambia
HIV/AIDS Human Immuno-deficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
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IBA Important Bird Areas
ILUA Integrated Land Use Assessment
IRDB Integrated Resource Development Board
IUCN The World Conservation Union
KAZA Kavango-Zambezi Trans-frontier Conservation Area
MDGs Millennium Development Goals
MENR Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
MEWD Ministry of Energy and Water Development
MLNREP Ministry of Lands Natural Resources and Environmental Protection
MTENR Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources
NAIP National Agricultural Investment Plan
NAIP National Agricultural Investment Plan
NAP National Action Programme
NAPA National Adaptation Programme of Action
NBA National Biodiversity Authority
NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
NCCRS National Climate Change Response Strategy
NF National Forest
NGOs Non-Governmental Organisations
NORAD Norwegian Agency for International Development
NP National Park
NWFP Non Wood Forest Product
OAG Office of the Auditor General
PA Protected Area
PFAP Provincial Forestry Action Programme
PPP Public Private Partnership
SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment
SIDA Swedish International Development Agency
SNDP Sixth National Development Plan
UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
UNDP United Nations Development Programme

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UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
WCS Wildlife Conservation Society
WWF Worldwide Fund for Nature
ZAWA Zambia Wildlife Authority
ZCCN Zambia Climate Change Ne
ZFAP Zambia Forestry Action Programme
ZNRCF Zambia Natural Resources Consultative Forum

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 CHAPTER 1:

OVERVIEW OF BIODIVERSITY STATUS, TRENDS , THREATS AND

IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN WELL-BEING

1.1 Importance of Biodiversity in Zambia

Zambia is endowed with abundant natural resources and a fairly rich biological diversity. Like
other developing countries, Zambia is highly dependent on the exploitation of its biological
resources for the livelihood of the majority of its people especially those living in rural areas.
The importance of biodiversity for Zambia lies mainly in its contribution to the provision of
ecosystem goods and services for national economic development and livelihoods.
At the ecosystem level, forests, agro-ecosystems and wetlands can be distinguished as the key
ecosystem components that have a relatively greater bearing on the country’s natural system
integrity upon which the national economy and the livelihoods of the population depend.

i) Forest ecosystem and species importance

The contribution of forest ecosystems to livelihoods and the key categories of sectors that benefit
from forest biodiversity at ecosystem, species and genetic resources levels in the Zambian
context can be concisely articulated as follows:

a) Subsistence and livelihood uses

Forests are known as a valuable natural and economic resource for supporting natural systems
and improving peoples’ livelihoods. Zambia’s forests are not only important for their timber
species and fuel wood, they are also important repositories of biodiversity and provide a wide
range of goods for livelihoods (especially for the rural poor) such as non-timber forest products
including, fibre, medicinal plants, edible wild vegetables, edible wild fruits, edible insects, bush
meat, mushrooms, honey, etc. In essence forests are known within the Zambian context as
contributing to both food and livelihood security and as a safety net in times of unfavourable
agricultural production (increasingly associated to climate change).The national biodiversity
study (Chidumayo and Aongola, 1997)1 estimated that one-third of rural households harvest wild
food resources in form of fruits, mushroom and root/tubers with a gross annual output of about
31 kg per household. Overall, harvested forest products make a significant contribution to
incomes of the rural poor. Forest contribution to rural household income is estimated at 20.6
percent (Puustjärvi, Mickels-Kokwe and Chakanga, 2005)2. Most forest product harvesting and
sale is seasonal, providing cash income at different times of the year, and few households use
only one product.

1
Chidumayo, E.N. and Aongola, L. 1998. Zambia biodiversity strategy and action plan: The country report. IUCN, Lusaka.
2
Puustjärvy E, Mickels-Kokwe G. and Chakanga M. (2005). The contribution of the forestry sector to the national economy and poverty
reduction in Zambia. Report prepared by SAVCOR INDUFOR for the Forestry Department, Zambia, and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Finland

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Estimates of the value of non-wood forest products (NWFP) vary considerably, but based on the
assumptions applied in the study byTurpie et al. (2014)3 it is estimated the overall income from
NWFPs is around$135.8 million per annum.

b) Commercial uses
Commercial uses of tree and forest resources are oriented towards sale. The distinction between
livelihood use and commercial use is not always clear as these use-systems normally develop
from subsistence and increasing to commercial use. Commercial uses of biodiversity contribute
more in terms of assessing the economy of various resources (Chidumayo, 2012)4. Commercial
uses of the forests are mainly in form of timber production and sale. Commercially valuable
timber trees include Pterocarpus angolensis (Mukwa), Afzelia quanzensis, Khaya nyasica,
Baikiaea plurijuga (Zambezi teak) and Brachystegia species. At the household level, wood is
used for construction poles, fence posts, saw logs, furniture and joinery, sawn timber, boats and
canoes, carvings, mortars and pestles, axe and hoe handles, etc. Annual consumption varies
geographically but is estimated at about 1.0 m3 per household.

Relatively large amounts of wood biomass in the country are used for energy, in form of
firewood and charcoal. Consumption of firewood and charcoal vary not only among provinces
but also between urban and rural areas. Annual consumption per household is about 8.0 tonnes of
wood equivalent. Charcoal is produced for both subsistence use and sale. Between 66% and 98%
of the urban households rely on charcoal for domestic energy (GRZ/FNDP, 2006). In 1997,
about 41,000 rural households were full-time employed in charcoal production and an additional
4,500 people involved in transportation, marketing and distribution (GRZ, 1997). In 1998, the
charcoal industry generated about US$30 million, and in the same year about 60,000 Zambians
directly depended on charcoal production for the bulk of their income (Kalumiana 2000; AEO,
2006, pg. 198). By 2010, it was estimated that over 50,000 households were engaged in charcoal
production on full-time basis and earned a living from charcoal.
Nature-based tourism is the dominant form of holiday tourism to Zambia, and forests are an
integral part of the nature-based tourism experience. Estimates of forest-based tourism range
from $110 – 179 million per annum for direct value added by forest-based tourism (Turpie et al.,
2014).
In summary, the analysis of the study by Turpie et al. (2014) showed that the direct and indirect
values of forests considered (excluding the market value of carbon) made a direct contribution
equivalent to about 4.7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or US$932.5 million (using 2010
figures) to the Zambian economy. However, when the multiplier effects of forestry and tourism-
related activities on other sectors are taken into account, the overall or economy-wide
contribution of forests on GDP was estimated to be at least 6.3% or US$1,252 million.

3
Jane Turpie ,Benjamin Warr, Jane Carter Ingram and Michel Masozera (2014). The Economic Value of Zambia’s Forest Ecosystems and
potential benefits of REDD+ in Green Economy Transformation in Zambia. Report to theUnited Nations Environment Programme on behalf of
the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Zambia
4
Chidumayo, E.N.(2015) Biodiversity of Flowering Plants Stock Assessment Report for the review of the NBSAP. NIRAS, Zambia.

2
 c) Health care uses
According to Chidumayo (2015), the use of forests as a source of traditional medicines is
common in Zambia. In Central, Copperbelt and Luapula provinces, a survey showed that over
70% of the respondents had used traditional medicines for domestic and/or commercial use and
that the trade in medicines is worth over K10 billion per year (Njovu, 1996)5. Nswana (1996)6
has listed 78 species of plants with medicinal value while Fowler (2002)7 describes about 177
plants used in healing by the Ila people of southern Zambia. Traditional medicines derived from
the forest are perceived to be cheaper, accessible and practical, especially where modern medical
facilities are limited, or where these are available but not accessible due to cost.

d) Social and cultural uses

Many ethnic groups in Zambia believe in ritual ceremonies, most of which are conducted in the
forests. Locally, there are patches of forest protected for this purpose. Trees are also used to
indicate the sacred nature of grave yards in many Zambian traditions. Other traditional uses of
trees include protection of river banks and for ornamental purposes, as meeting places. Often
traditional use of trees may focus on a single tree or species. For instance, among the Ngoni of
eastern Zambia, Adonsonia digitata (Mlambe) and Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia (Msolo)
are symbolized as holy trees and used as meeting places in villages while Euphorbia tirucalli
(Nkhadzi) is commonly planted around grave yards. However, the protection accorded to
individual species may extend to other trees around it, resulting in the protection of large patches
of forest (Chidumayo, 2015).Although the impacts on human well-being of some ecosystem
services provided by forests are indirect, they are nonetheless important for sustaining
livelihoods and environmental health and security in the country.

e) Ecological uses and ecosystem services

Forests have intricate relationships to changing forest landscapes and ecosystems that in turn
have implications for biodiversity conservation, agricultural land productivity, energy needs,
water needs, water catchment conditions and industrial needs in Zambia.
There are a number of key ecosystem services provided by the forests associated with socio-
economic development in Zambia. Miombo woodlands on deeper sandy soils are characterized
by tall, deep-rooted trees that act as "nutrient pumps". When these deep-rooted plants are
removed from the system, the pool of nutrients available in the topsoil may be reduced (Dean et
al., 1999)8.Tree canopy and grass cover intercept rain drops and reduce their power to erode soil
particles. Surface litter also plays this protective function in addition to maintenance of soil
organic matter (carbon) and nutrient content through decomposition. Soil fertility and quality has
implications for the agricultural sector for crop and livestock (fodder) productivity.

5
Njovu, F.C. 1996. Non-wood forest products. Provincial Forestry Action Programme(PFAP) Working Papers,Zambia
6
Nswana, A. 1996. Preliminary study on cosmetic and traditional medicine in Central, Copperbelt and Luapula Provinces. PFAP, Ndola.
7
Fowler, D.G. 2002. Traditional Ila plant remedies from Zambia. Kirkia 18:35-48.
8
W. R. J. Dean w, S. J. Miltonw & F. Jeltsch†, 1998. Large trees, fertile islands, and birds in arid savanna. Journal of Arid Environments (1999)
41: 61]78. Article No. jare.1998.0455

3
The capacity of forests to help capture and store water helps to mitigate floods in periods of
heavy rains and ensures steady water flow during drier seasons. For example, Richard Bleifuss
and Do Santos (2001)9 revealed that the mass curve for rainfall in the Kafue catchment reported
a significant increase in surface water runoff per unit rainfall from the Kafue headwaters region
during the 1950s and 1960s.These changes were attributed in part to deforestation in the
Copperbelt region (Mumeka 1986)10. Forests role in the regulation of the hydrology in catchment
areas extending to river flows and sufficient quantity of water in rivers will have repercussions
for the energy sector in Zambia that predominantly depends on hydropower generation.
Summary of the estimations of the economic value of forestry regulatory services are presented
in Box 1 below:

Box 1.Estimated economic value of forest regulatory functions

Carbon: The value of carbon can be estimated in terms of its damage costs, but this social cost of carbon (estimated
to be $29 per tonne), which if aggregated would amount to about $15 million per annum. In evaluating potential
for REDD projects, carbon can also be valued in terms of its market value, which we estimate to be in the region of
$6 per tonne. Depending on location, carbon stocks in Zambian forests are potentially worth about $150 per ha on
average (once off), but ranging up to $745 per ha for intact forests. Annual values of sequestration in degraded
areas are about $16-30 per ha per year.
Sediment retention: Based on a model of soil erosion and transport (using InVEST) developed through this
analysis, it was estimated that current rates of sediment output are in the order of 250 million tonnes (average 2.23
tonnes per ha), and that sediment retention by forests are on the order of 274 million tones, generating a cost
savings of $237 million per annum.
Water and climate regulation: While Zambia’s forests are unlikely to have positive benefits on dry season flows
through infiltration or contribute significantly to flood attenuation, the loss of forest cover over large areas could
result in reduced precipitation in the region, impacting on flows, water yields and hydropower generation, and
driving up the costs of electricity. This should be addressed in future studies.
Pollination: Based on the costs of alternative means of pollination, the value of forest pollination services was
estimated to be in the order of $74 million per annum.
Source: Turpie et al., 201411

Vegetation forms important habitats for other organisms while individual trees support a host of
other life forms, such as epiphytes, saprophytes and aboreal animals. Symbiotic microorganisms,
such as bacteria and fungi, which live in roots of seed plants, are wholly dependent on their host
plants for survival. Some plants are ecological indicators. For example. Brachystegia boehmii
and Parinari curatellifolia trees are indicators of shallow soils with partial waterlogging while
Diplorhynchus condylocarpon and Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia often indicate the
presence of copper or nickel. Other species, such as, Ficus sycamorus and Syzygium cordatum
indicate the presence of an aquifer near the surface and are used to site water wells (Chidumayo,
2015).

9
Richard Bleifuss and David Do Satos (nd) working paper #2 program for the sustainable management of Cahora Bassa dam and the Lower
Zambezi valley – Birdlife international
10
Mumeka, A, 1986. Effect of deforestation and subsistence agriculture on runoff of the Kafue river headwaters of Zambia. Hydrological
Sciences Journal 31:543-554.
11
Turpie, J., B. Warr, J. Carter Ingram and M. Masozera. 2014. The Economic Value of Zambia’s Forest Ecosystems and potential benefits of
REDD+ in Green Economy Transformation in Zambia. Report to the United Nations Environment Program on behalf of the Ministry of Lands,
Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Zambia. Chapter 6, Draft. 131 pp.

4
ii) Wetlands Ecosystems and Species Importance
a) Contribution to livelihoods and national economy
Wetlands, including rivers, lakes, swamps and dambos, covering about 3.6 million hectares or
4.8 percent of the total land area (NAIP, 2014)12, are a source of livelihood for the majority of
rural populations in Zambia. Total water withdrawal from river systems was 1.737 km3 in 2000,
with agriculture use accounting for 1.320 km3 (77 percent), or more than three-quarters of the
total domestic water use claiming 0.286 km3 and industries taking 0.131 km3 (ibid.).
Dambo and floodplain wetlands are used for grazing animals in the dry season when upland
vegetation is dry and with little nutritive value. They are also important for fishing, livestock-
watering, hunting of small animals, collection of thatching grass, and most importantly, for dry
season vegetable growing. Seepage zones and shallow wells are used as sources of water. Non-
equipped wetlands and inland valley bottoms, and non-equipped recession area dominated by the
rural households gives a total water-managed wetland system contributing 100,010 ha of
irrigated land (FAO Aquastat Data, 2005). However there is scarcity of empirical data on the
contribution of wetlands to the livelihoods with respect to its contribution towards small scale
river and dambo based crop irrigation, livestock grazing and domestic water supply in economic
terms.
Fish production from Fresh water wetland ecosystems in Zambia is concentrated in the
Northern, Western and Southern parts of the country and along major rivers and lakes. The
fisheries sub-sector plays an important role in the economy of the country through the provision
of employment and income generation, and contributes to food and nutrition security. The sub-
sector contributes about 3.2 percent to national GDP (GRZ, 2013)13. Current estimates indicate
that over three hundred thousand persons directly or indirectly obtain part of their income from
the fisheries sector. Fish is a major food item in the diet of Zambians as it accounts for 29
percent of the animal protein supply (CSO, 2006)14. By 2014the sub-sector produced about
80,826 metric tonnes of fish.

b) Contribution to ecosystem services

Wetland ecosystems provide water for different uses by storing water (sponge effect), helping to
recharge both surface and groundwater and in the process. Additionally, wetlands improve the
quality of water by filtering pollutants and sediments while retaining the nutrients required by
and to support the ecosystem thereby improving productivity of wetlands.
Flood plains reduce or delay downstream floods.This function arises in part because floodplains
provide provide space for water to spread and in part because of higher hydrolic roughness of
flood plains reduces the velocity of flow. Wetlands are a major habitat for a number of living
organisms key to national economy and livelihoods. Endemic mammal species such as the
Lechwe breeding cycle is dependent on the health of the Kafue Flats wetland ecosystems.
12
GRZ 2013, Zambia National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP) 2014-2018.Under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development
Programme (CAADP) Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Zambia
13
GRZ, 2013. National Agricultural Policy (DRAFT), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Zambia.
14
Living Conditions Survey 2006, Central Statistical Office ,Zambia.

5
Bird species such as the Wattled Crane, ducks, geese and a wide range of fish and other aquatic
species depend on wetland habitats.

iii) Agro-ecological systems and agro-biodiversity importance

The Zambia Agro-ecological systems are categorized into three agro-ecological regions based on
differences in rainfall amounts received per annum and 36 zones categorized based on rainfall
and soil characteristics are the major provider of employment and food security for the majority
of the rural population. Food and livelihood security of many people and communities depend on
the sustained management of various biological resources that are important for food and
agriculture, which include the following , harvested crop varieties, livestock breeds, fish species
and non-domesticated (wild) resources within field, forest, rangeland including tree products,
wild animals hunted for food and in aquatic ecosystems (e.g. wild fish);

There are three main categories of farmers in Zambia relying on the agro-ecological system; i)
small scale; ii) medium-scale and iii) large-scale. The number of small-scale households
involved in farming is estimated at 1,417,992 million (Lubangu and Mofya-Mukuka, 2012)15. In
terms of crop production these are responsible for contributing an estimated 80 percent of output.
The contribution of small scale farmers to livestock production has been around 30%. A small
number of commercial or large scale farmers are involved in commercial crop and livestock
production. These are responsible for much of wheat, soya bean and sugar cane production..
Despite being a vital resource underpinning food security and livelihoods of people, agro-
biodiversity has not been given adequate attention in terms of management and utilization,
compared to other components of biodiversity such as forestry, wild animals and fisheries, and is
therefore threatened with loss by a number of causes.
1.2 Changes in Status, Trends and Threats to Biodiversity

1.2.1 Overall status of biodiversity

The current assessment recorded a total of 12,505 species in the country compared to 7,884 in
the 1998 assessment (Table A). Of these species 4.5% are microorganisms, 31.7% are plants,
62.8% are animals and 1.0% are domesticated plants (crops) and animals. At least 144 and 28
plant and animal species, respectively, are threatened according to the IUCN conservation status
classification.

15
Lubangu, M. and R. Mofya-Mukuka (2012).The Status of the Smallholder Livestock Sector in Zambia, Technical Report No.1., IAPRI,
Lusaka, Zambia.

6
Table A: Total number of recorded species in Zambia by 2015

Group Number of species

Main Sub-group 1998 2015
Microorganisms 563 563
Plants Algae 147 147
Mosses 129 129
Ferns 142 147
Flowering plants 3,410 3,543
Animals Invertebrates 1,808 6,135
Amphibians 67 74
Reptiles 150 156
Fish 409 490
Birds 733 757
Mammals 224 242
Domesticates Crops 86 106
Animals 16 16
Total 7,884 12,505
Source: NIRAS, 2015

The network of Zambia’s statutory protected area (PA) in Zambia covers about 40% of the total
surface area of the country and comprises National Forests, Local Forests, National Parks, Game
Management Areas, Bird and Wildlife Sanctuaries and Heritage Sites and some private and
community game ranches whose coverage is not fully known. These PA categories, which
largely conform to the IUCN classification, have a critical role in the protection of biodiversity
and physical environment in Zambia.

While institutional coordination of biodiversity management does exist in the country, a number
of sector institutions are mandated to manage different compoennts of biodiversity. Sometimes,
this poses challenges in coordination. Overall, the country has largely depended on the
fragmented and project based activities to conserve, monitor the status, trends and threats to
biodiversity.

The biodiversity status from the biodiversity stocktaking assessments undertaken for the
revision of the 1999 NBSAP shows the following status and trends in the biodiversity
components so far assessed.

7
1.2.2 Overview of the forest estate and protected area system status

a) Forest estate and other land use classes status

The statistics from the ILUA, 2008 report field inventory refer to only the general natural forest
estate and other land use classes within Zambia.
As indicated in Table 1 below, the semi-evergreen, evergreen and deciduous forests cover 66
percent of the total area of Zambia. Other land accounts for the next greatest extent of land use,
approximately 21%. Within this major land use class, one finds that approximately 10% of the
total land area is grasslands and marshland, about 10% of the total land in Zambia is dedicated to
crop land and pasture land and less than 1% of the total land is considered to be occupied by
built-up rural and urban settlements. Figures for inland water extent indicate that over 4% of the
Zambia is occupied by rivers and lakes. ILUA preliminary results also found that ‘other wooded
land’, consisting of wooded grasslands (including dambo plains) and shrublands (including
Munga woodland, Termitaria and Machia-type scrub), account for 8% of the total land area.

Table 1: Total area of Zambia by all land use class/forest types (‘000 ha and %)

Forests (=/> 10% Canopy cover) Calculated from ILUA survey data Area Cover (‘000 ha) Proportion %
Evergreen forest 819 1.1%
Semi-evergreen Forest 34,145 45.4%
Deciduous Forest 14,865 19.8%
Other Natural Forests 139 0.2%
Broadleaved forest plantations* 0 0%
Coniferous forest plantations* 0 0%
Total 49,968 66.4%
Other Wooded land (5-10% Canopy Cover or shrubs/bushes canopy Area Cover (‘000 ha) Proportion %
cover >10%)
Wooded Grasslands 4,897 6.5%
Shrubs/thickets 1,158 1.5%
Total 6,055 8.0%
Other land (<5% Canopy Cover or shrubs/bushes canopy cover <10%) Area Cover (‘000 ha) Proportion %
Barren Land 9 0%
Grassland 6,085 8.1%
Marshland 1,332 1.8%
Annual crop 4,700 6.3%
Perennial crop 236 0.3%
Pastures 464 0.6%
Fallow 2,387 3.2%
Urban 7 0%
Rural 551 0.7%
Extraction site/mining area 0 0%
Total 15,771 21.0%
Inland Water (area occupied by major rivers, lakes and reservoirs) Area Cover (‘000 ha) Proportion %
Lake 2,693 3.6%
River 774 1.0%
Dam 0 0%
Total 3,467 4.6%
Total Country Area of Zambia 75,261 100%
Source: ILUA 1 Report, 2008.

b) Status of the Protected Areas System

8
The network of Zambia’s statutory protected areas is composed of 20 National Parks (NPs)
covering 63630 km2, 36 Game Management Areas (GMAs) covering about 167557 km2 and 490
Forest Reserves (FRs) covering 74361 km2.The PA network map (Figure 1) was overlaid on the
vegetation map (Edmonds, 1976) in order to derive a very preliminary overview of vegetation-
based ecosystem representation in NPs and FRs (Table2).
Although more than 18% of the country consists of NPs and FRs, a lot of work is required to
undertand and document the state of ecosystems in this protected area system.

Figure 1: National Parks, Game Management Areas and Forest Reserves in Zambia (Source:
GRZ Forest Department, 2014)

There are two main categories of forest reserves in the country: Local Forests (306) and National
Forests (184). The management objective in Local Forests is to meet the needs for forest
products for present and future generations of local people. The objective for establishing
National Forests is to protect and conserve major water catchments and their biodiversity. For
these reasons, both Local and National Forests fall in the IUCN conservation area category VIII
(Multiple use management area or Managed resource area). Regardless of the type of forest
reserve, no permanent settlements are allowed in a forest reserve. Within each category of forest
reserves, two functional sub-categories are recognized: production (107) and protection (383)
forests. Licensed exploitation of forest products is allowed in production forests while protection
forests are intended for the protection of water catchments, biodiversity and cultural values. In
addition to forest reserves, there are also 59 Botanical Reserves which are located either within
or outside forest reserves.

9
Botanical Reserves were established to preserve relic vegetation types and/or promote the in-situ
conservation of important plant genetic resources. They are also sources of germplasm for
multiplication and breeding programmes. Although FRs are classified as either protection for the
conservation of biodiversity and watersheds or production for sustainable utilization of forest
resources, in practice there is no difference in the way the different FRs are managed.

The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) administers NPs and oversees the protection of
wildlife. TheWildlife Act of 1998 provides for the establishment of Community Resources
Boards (CRBs) that provde for the involvement of local communities in co-management of
wildlife in GMAs. By the time of writing this report, there were 54 CRBs in the country. The
Act also provides for the establishment of private game ranches.

Table 2: Approximate ecosystem representation in Zambia’s national parks and forest reserves
Vegetation-based ecosystem Total area (square km) Area (square km) in Protected Areas
National Parks Forest Reserves
Forest 45690 9610 (21.0%) 6783 (9.5%)
Woodland 576587 43734 (7.6%) 47970 (8.3%)
Woodland/Grassland 25698 3330 (13.0%) 921 (3.6%)
Transition
Grassland 93720 6854 (7.3%) 3633 (3.9%)
Aquatic 10905 52 (0.5%) 0 (0.0%)
Total 752600 63580 (8.4%) 59307 (7.9%)

N.B. Some forest reserves are not included because they are not shown on the 1988 Forest Estate
map of Zambia while others are either not listed or have insufficient data in the Forest
Department database.

The key changes in the status of National Parks and Game Management protected area system
since the Fourth National Report is the creation of a new Lusaka National Park. The Lusaka
National Park was established in 2011 on pieces of land which were forest reserves numbers 26
and 55. The forest reserves have since been de-gazetted to pave way for the establishment of the
park. The Park is stocked with 827 animals which comprise nine different species.
The reclassification conservation plan (REMNPAS, 2010)16 identified gaps of representation of
plant and animal species within the existing National Parks and Game Management Areas and
made recommendations to improve the protection effectiveness of the current wildlife protected
areas system through a comprehensive gap analysis.
The identified species representation gaps are as follows:
i) Large mammal representation
Most of the large mammal species are well represented in the national parks except for Giraffe
(Girriffa camelopardelis angolensis), Black lechwe (Kobus leche smithemani), Kafue lechwe
(Kobus leche kafuensis) and Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis).

16
Reclassification and conservation plan for the national system of protected areas in Zambia(2010). Ministry of
Tourism Environment and Natural Resources, Zambia.

10
Although Giraffe is currently represented in Sioma Ngwezi National Park and Mosi-oa-Tunya
National Parks, the population in Mosi-oa-Tunya NP was only introduced, and the species did
not naturally occur in this area. Black lechwe are represented in Isangano National Park but this
is only seasonal with a very small percentage of the lechwe population entering the park.
There is a need to ensure adequate representation of this sub-species. Similarly the Kafue Flats
lechwe population, seasonally move in and out of the Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon National
Parks, as the bulk of the population range remains outside the two Protected Areas. Black
rhinoceros is represented in North Luangwa NP but its original range included most of the
National Parks in Zambia. The numbers in North Luangwa NP are still low.

To raise the representation of the mentioned species/sub-species, it is important and critical that a
look is given at either reclassifying surrounding areas/GMAs or parts thereof into new PA
categories or consider realigning boundaries of existing National Parks to incorporate significant
size of the affected animals’ effective range(s).

ii)Bird’s representation
The birds representation shows that the Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex), although occasionally seen in
Kasanka NP, Mweru-Wa-Ntipa NP and Nsumbu NP, it is considered only as very rare vagrants
in these areas. The only site in Zambia where it has been recorded as a breeding resident is
Bangweulu swamps incorporating the Bangweulu GMA. Another species that are not at all
represented in any National Park in Zambia is the Papyrus Yellow Warbler (Chloropeta
gracilirostris). This bird only occurs in Zambia in a large area of dense papyrus swamp in the
lowest reaches of the Luapula River as it fans out to meet Lake Mweru.

iii) Vegetation representation

Priority vegetation types for which suggestively Protected Areas need to be reclassified or their
current boundaries realigned are Dry Evergreen Forest, Kalahari Woodland, Miombo Woodland,
Grasslands and Munga Woodland. Table 3 presents the national coverage of vegetation types
and the percentage of each vegetation type, protected within National Parks. The figures in red or
highlighted (from Dry Evergreen Forest to Munga Woodlands) indicate the respective type
which is currently under-represented (below the target minimum of 10%).
Table 3: Summary of vegetation types and their distribution in Zambia
Vegetation Type National Coverage Occurring in National Parks, a category
(%) that offers effective Biodiversity
Conservation (%)
Dry Evergreen Forest 5.0% 4.6%
Kalahari Woodland 13.2% 5.6%
Miombo Woodland 47.2% 6%
Grassland 20.6% 7.7%
Munga Woodland 5.6% 7.7%
Terminataria Vegetation 2.0% 13%
Dry Deciduous Forest 1.4% 15%
Mopane Woodland 3.4% 28%
Moist Evergreen Forest 0.1% 45%
Source: REMNPAS, 2010.

11
1.2.3 Aquatic ecosystems status
There are three basins in Zambia: the Zambezi; Luapula and Lake Tanganyika basins. The
Luapula consists of the following major sections or rivers: the Bangweulu Lakes and Swamps
Complex; Chambeshi River; Kalungwishi River; Luapula River; and Lake Mweru. The Zambezi
Catchment area is the largest and is composed of the following major sections: Luangwa River;
Lukanga Swamps, Kafue River; Upper Zambezi; the Middle Zambezi, now dominated by Lake
Kariba; and Lower Zambezi (see Figure 2).The Lake Tanganyika basin in Zambia is the smallest
and consists of a fish fauna with Nilotic affinities but with the most diverse biodiversity.
Zambia has eight wetlands of international importance or Ramsar sites. Table 4 below shows
the Ramsar sites in Zambia and their relative size. These wetlands are habitats of several
important fauna and flora species including some endemic and endangered species. (COP 12
Wetlands National Report, 2015). The Wetlands National Report to the Twelfth Session of the
Conference of Parties (COP 12) held in Uruguaay in 2015 indicates improved status of the
Lukanga swamps, Bangweulu swamps and Liuwa Plains. However, the report does not give
details of the scope of improvement but attributes the improvement to the attention these
wetlands have received from the private sector engagement in their conservation regimes.
Table 4: Ramsar sites in Zambia

Name of Ramsar Site Area (km2)

Bangweulu Swamps 11,000

Busanga Swamp 2,000

Kafue Flats (includes Lochinvar & Blue Lagoon NPs) 6,005

Lake Tanganyika (portion in Zambia) 2,300

Luangwa Floodplains 2,500

Lukanga Swamp 2,600

Mweru-Wa-Ntipa Swamps 4,900

Barotse Floodplain 9,000

Total 40,305
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ramsar_wetlands_of_international_importance

1.2.4 Status of Important Bird Areas of Zambia

12
A network of 42 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been identified in Zambia (Figure 3), using
the Bird Life International standard guidelines for the identification of IBAs (Leonard, 2005)17.
These guidelines were closely followed in selecting Zambian IBAs, with the recognition that the
need for scientific objectivity and standardization has to be balanced by common sense and
practical objectives.
The Forty-two sites cover a combined area of 10,538,250 ha; approximately 14% of Zambia’s
total land surface. At present, about 82% of the area covered by IBAs receives some form of
protection (National Park: 60%, Game Management Area: 19%, National Forest: 2%privately
owned: 1%) (Leonard, 2005). The remaining 18% are in open areas with no legal status; a few of
these have developed some local by-laws18 with the help of chiefs and traditional leaders.

Figure 3: Important bird areas of Zambia (Source: BirdWatch Zambia, Status and Trends
Report, 2012)

17
Leonard P (2005) Important Bird Areas of Zambia; Priority Conservation Sites, Zambian Ornithological Society
18
Nyoni M (2010), Cnservation Bye-laws for Magumwi-Machile Site in Machile Important Bird Area, Zambian Ornithological Society.

13
1.2.5 Agro-ecological systems status

Zambia has three agro-ecological zones differentiated mainly by amount of precipitation

received per annum (Figure 4).

Zone 1 covers 23% of Zambia, and includes the

major valleys (Gwembe, Lunsemfwa and
Luangwa). It has the lowest agricultural potential,
with rainfall of less than 800 mm per annum, a
short growing season of between 80–120 days, and
a medium to high risk of drought.

Zone 2 covers the Sandveld Plateau, the Kalahari

Sand Plateau and the Zambezi floodplains of the
Western Province. Rainfall is between 800–1,000
mm per annum, and the growing season is 100–
140 days. It has a medium to low risk of drought.
87% of the area is suitable for agriculture, but only
half of this is accessible, as the remainder is in
national parks, game management areas and
forests.

Zone 3 has a mean annual rainfall of 1,000 mm

and a growing season of 120–150 days. The risk of drought is almost nil. However, only 52.7% of the land
is suitable for cultivation due to the soils being highly leached. Very little of this zone is in national parks,
game management areas and forests.

Figure 4: Agro-ecological zones of Zambia. (Source, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives,

2010)

1.3 Species diversity status

There are at least 12,505 different kinds of organisms (species) in Zambia and of these 4% are
bacteria and microorganisms, 33% are plants and 63% are animals (NIRAS, 2015)

i) Flowering plants species diversity

The assessment of flowering plants diversity in Zambia was undertaken using available data
from field inventories. Most of the data are on tree species and therefore underestimate the
diversity of flowering plants in the country. Mathematical factors for estimating all woody and
flowering plant species were developed from the few complete plant inventories that have been
conducted in the country. The total species of wild flowering plants in Zambia is estimated at
3,543. These are made up of 273 sedges, 2,660 herbaceous plants and 1,610 woody plants.
Almost 53% of the flowering plants are rare and these occur throughout the country, suggesting
that the current extent of the protected area system is inadequate for conserving all the rare
species which by their nature of rarity also require large areas to conserve viable populations.

14
The highest diversity of flowering plants is in northern and north-western parts of the
country.(NIRAS, 2015).

Due toinadequate information, the threat status of the majority of plants in Zambia is not known.
Of the 364 plant species in Zambia listed by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1992),
79.4% had no information, 18.1% were not threatened and 1.4% were rare and the status of 1.1%
was indeterminate.
The Southern African Botanical Diversity Network (SABONET) classified 144 plant species in
Zambia as threatened (Golding, 200219; Appendix 1A); of these 33% are woody plants and 67%
are herbs. Species richness was estimated and mapped as species density (i.e. number of species
per plotorha). Based on the ILUA I data, the estimated woody plants species density is highest in
five separate areas in the country. The largest areas of high woody plant species richness (36 –
48 species ha-1) are in northern and north-western Zambia. The largest continuous area under
forest reservation in this species-rich block is in the Kafue Headwaters, P105, P111 and P112 in
Solwezi district, P170 in Kasempa and P85 in Mwinilunga. There are three other smaller blocks
of high woody plant species richness: Mansa, Mkushi and Siavonga.Spatial modelling revealed
three areas of high diversity of Brachystegia species: the Mpulungu block in Northern Province,
the Solwezi block in North-western Province and the Mpika-Serenje block in central Zambia.

ii) Mammals species diversity

There is a paucity of data on overall mammal species status, trends and distribution, as a result
the stocktaking assessment report concentrated on critical mammal species (threatened,
endangered and vulnerable). The stocktaking report estimates the mammal diversity in Zambia at
around 224 species. The REMNPAS, (2010) on the other hand reported that aapproximately 43
species of large mammals were important; firstly on account of the potential income that can be
generated from their use in photographic and consumptive tourism, secondly, their contribution
to local household economies, as a source of protein and as a source of income through illegal
market structures, and thirdly, their aesthetical appreciation by the global community including
their existence value. The large mammals represents nine (9) species of large carnivores
(Carnivora), two (2) species of odd-toed ungulates (Perissodactyla) and thirty one (31) species of
even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla) and one (1) species of elephant.
According to the 2014 Red List of Threatened Species, over 28 animal species and subspecies
are considered as threatened, endangered or vulnerable. Annex 1 lists critical mammal species in
Zambia with their conservation status.

iii) Bird species diversity

Zambia is known to have around 757 species of birds as of June 2013; this is a comparatively
rich measure of avifauna for a landlocked country dominated by a single biome. Leonard, (2005)
documents proof that at least 470, of the 757 bird species, breed in Zambia. In addition to that,
well over 600 of the species are resident or Afrotropical migrants. Furthermore, about 100 are

19
Golding, J.S. (ed.). 2002. Southern African Red Data Lists. SABONET Report No. 14, SABONET, Pretoria.

15
non-breeding migrants or vagrants from the Palearctic region and the remainder comprise non-
breeding Afrotropical migrants and vagrants.

Out of 757 species, 15 are listed as either endangered, vulnerable or near threatened on the IUCN
red list as of 2014, which indicates an increase from 13 in 2010 . The majority of these are
raptors, viz. vultures. Of the fifteen listed species four are endangered, ten are vulnerable and
one is near threatened. Table 5 below shows the listed species found in Zambia.

Table 5: Threatened species of birds in Zambia

Common Name Scientific Name Status
Grey-crowned Crane Balearica regulorum Endangered
Ruppell’s Vulture Gyps rueppelli Endangered
Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus Endangered
White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus Endangered
Zambian Barbet Lybius chaplini Vulnerable
Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus Vulnerable
Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula Vulnerable
Taita Falcon Falco fasciinucha Vulnerable
Black-cheeked Lovebird Agapornis nigrigenis Vulnerable
Shoebill Balaeniceps rex Vulnerable
Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea Vulnerable
White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis Vulnerable
Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres Vulnerable
Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos Vulnerable
Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor Near Threatened
Source: Niras 2015

iv) Fish species diversity

Four hundred and ninety (490) species of fish belonging to 24 families have been reported in
Zambia. The highest fish species richness is found in Lake Tanganyika followed by Mweru-
Luapula. Mweru-Wantipa has the lowest fish species richness in the country (Table 4). Cichlids
with 191 species have the highest diversity followed by Cyprinids (93 species). Endemic fish
species that are confined to one fishery are estimated at 289 and 76% of these are in Lake
Tanganyika. The other fisheries with a reasonable degree of endemism are Mweru-Luapula (24
species), Barotse Floodplain (20 species) and Kariba (13 species). Species endemism in the rest
of the fisheries ranges from zero in Mweru-Wantipa to 9 species in Bangweulu.
Lake Tanganyika has a unique fauna. It is estimated that the lake has over 200 species of fish of
which over 70% are endemic to the lake. This fishery needs special attention for fish biodiversity
conservation, especially that it is a transboundary water body shared by four riparian countries.
v) Plant and animal genetic resources diversity
There are at least 107 cultivated plant species in Zambia and of these 52% are exotic species,
33% are naturalized and 15% are indigenous. There are also three species of wild rice that are
related to the cultivated rice. In addition, there are 567 crop wild relatives based on 107 cultivated

16
crop species in Zambia. The total diversity of domesticated animals is estimated at 16 species.
These consist of 10 species of mammals and 6 species of birds. Domesticated mammals are
dominated by cattle while birds are dominated by chickens.

A number of crops, which include maize as a primary staple, sweet potato and groundnuts are
cultivated almost throughout the country. Other food crops cultivated in some parts of the
country include sorghum, finger millet, rice, cassava and beans.

Some of the crops, whose Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs) have received relatively more attention
in terms of collection, characterization and conservation in Zambia include Cowpea
(Vignaunguiculata), Rice (Oryza sativa), Finger millet (Eleusinecoracana), Pearl millet
(Pennisetumglaucum) and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). A list of cultivated crops and their wild
relatives and occurrence in Zambia are given in Annex 2.

According to a check list of Zambian vascular plants (Phiri, 2005)20, one or more crop wild
relatives are known to exist for about 25 crops cultivated in Zambia. Most are wide spread in
terms of their distribution while others are confined to few areas.

The gene bank conserves both inter-specific and intra-specific diversity. The number of
accessions or crop forms for different crops held in the gene bank by December 2007 is given in
Table 4 below.

Table 4: Crop species and number of accessions conserved in the National Gene Bank

Crop Species Number of Accessions

1. Groundnuts 1,350
2. Cowpea 561
3. Fingermillet 657
4. Pumpkins Sorghum 297
5. (cucurbits) 641
6. Maize 685
7. Bambara 163
8. Beans 309
9. Rice 196
10. Pigeon pea 153
11. Okra 245
12. Water melon 75
13. Castor 45
14. Sunflower 42
15. Other Crops 194
Total 5,996
Source: NIRAS, 2015)

In Zambia 82.5 % of the estimated 1,417,992 smallholder farmers own at least one type of
livestock (cattle, goats, pigs, sheep and donkey) or poultry (chicken, guinea fowls, ducks/geese

20
Phiri, P. M. (2005). A SABONET Check List of Zambian Vascular Plants

17
and rabbits). Traditional sheep production is concentrated in Southern, Eastern and Luapula
provinces, accounting for 63% of the traditional sheep population, which are mainly of
indigenous fat-tailed and thin-tailed types. Almost 65% of the total Zambian pig herd consists of
pigs from indigenous breeds.

The difficulties associated with accessing feeds and drugs has made many rural small pig
producers turn to indigenous breeds with little management requirements and natural resistance
to diseases compared to exotic breeds.
vi) Invertebrates diversity
The total diversity of invertebrates in Zambia is estimated at 6,135 species (Professor Keith
Mbata, personal communication), of these 69 species are endemic and 14 (mainly fresh water
molluscs) are threatened. Among the critically endangered snail species are Bellamya
mweruensis, Bellamya pagodiformis and Bellamya pagodiformis while Bulinus nyassanus,
Bridouxia ponsonbyi and Tanganyicia rufofilosa are vulnerable and Melanoides admirabilis is
near threatened. The butterfly Acrea acrita ambigua is also endangered.

Insects comprise the largest known animals in the invertebrate group with more than 2,545
known species in Zambia in about 27 different orders (NIRAS, 2015)21. There are about 229
species of Dragonflies and 12 Mayflies identified and known to exist in Zambia. The areas that
are richest in number of Odonata species and genera, but not necessarily in numbers of
individuals, are swampy areas along forested water riverine, which also have a number of
endemics.

There are about 57 identified and known species of Molluscs in Zambia. The centres of
molluscan endemism are Lake Tanganyika, Mweru-Wa-Ntipa and the Barotse Plains.Endemic
molluscs in Zambia include Gabbiella stanleyi, G. zambica and Mutela zambesiensis, the first
two only known from their type localities: Chitipa, Eastern Zambia and Mankoyo; and
Northwestern Zambia, respectively. More than 200 Crustacean species are known in various
ecosystems in Zambia, of which more than half are endemic to Zambia. They include 10 species
of freshwater crab (Platythelphusaand Potamonautes platynotus; all endemic); at least 11 species
of small atyid shrimp and several copepods (Marshall, 2004)22.Table 6shows the other aquatic
species and their numbers known to occur in Zambia.

Table 6: Other aquatic invertebrates known to occur in Zambia

Group Known number of species Endemic
Leeches 32 12
Sponges 9 7
Byozoa 6 2
Flatworms 17 7
Annelids 28 17

21
Based on inventories at Livingstone Museum
22
See invertebrate report

18
vii) Vertebrates diversity
The diversity of Amphibians (frogs and toads) in Zambia is estimated at 74 species and there is
no discernible geographical gradient in species richness. A total of 13 species are rare having
been recorded in one locality only. The Nyika dwarf toad (Bufo nyikae, Figure 6) is considered a
vulnerable species due to its restricted range, in Nyika plateau.

The diversity of reptiles (lizards, snakes and tortoises) in Zambia is estimated at 156 species. A
total of 45 species are considered rare because they have been recorded in only one locality.

Figure 5: The Nyika dwarf toad (Bufo nyikae)

1.4 Trends and Threats to Biodiversity in Zambia

1.4.1 Trends and threats to forest reserves and plant species

Changes in the forest reserve status are reviewed annually in internal reporting by districts to
Forestry Department (FD) headquarters. A comparison of FD data (Table 6) shows a significant
deterioration in the integrity and quality of forest reserves.Soaring levels of encroachment
through cultivation and settlement have compromised the Protected Forest Areas (PFAs). By
2011, it was estimated that less than half of the Forest reserve estate could be considered free
from encroachment or settlement (Mickels-Kokwe,G and Kokwe, M. 2013)23.

As stated earlier, the assessment of flowering plants diversity in Zambia was undertaken using
available data from field inventories. Most of the data are based on tree species and therefore
underestimate the diversity of flowering plants in the country. Due to paucity of data the overall
trends of plant species is difficult to acertain.

23
Mickels Kokwe, G. and M. Kokwe. 2014. Forest Management Practices with Potential for REDD+ in Zambia. Report submitted to the REDD
Programme, Zambia

19
Table 7: National Forest (NF) protected forest reserves in Zambia, by province, 2000 and 2011.

Province Total Land 2000 2011 Change Loss of

Area (ha) # of Area % of # of Area % of National
NFs under NF Land NFs under NF Land Forest (% of
(ha) Area (ha) Area 2000 estate
area)
Central 9 439 450 15 373 225 3.95 N/A 355 132 3.76 - 18 093 4.85
Copperbelt 3 101 400 37 475 229 15.32 N/A 448 255 14.45 - 26 974 5.68
Eastern 6 910 590 14 683 349 9.89 N/A 278 035 4.02 N/A -
Luapula 5 056 680 8 212 547 4.20 N/A 202 663 4.01 - 9 884 4.65
Lusaka 2 189 570 1 186 0.01 N/A 0 0.00 - 186 -
Muchinga - - - - N/A 903 098 - N/A -
Northern 14 782 580 23 801 592 5.42 N/A 232 188 1.57 N/A -
North-western 12 614 090 35 2 044 344 16.21 N/A 1 818 718 14.42 - 225 626 11.04
Southern 8 528 290 9 211 677 2.48 N/A 211 677 2.48 - -
Western 12 838 600 37 315 893 2.46 N/A 312 878 2.44 - 3 015 0.95
Total 75 461 250 180 5 145 162 6.82 N/A 4 699 918 6.23 - 283 778 8.65

(Source: GRZ 200424, GRZ 2012b25)

i) Internal threasts to forests

More than 280,000 hectares of forest reserve have been de-gazetted or excised over the past
decade (GRZ 2012a)26. In North-Western Province, it is estimated that at least 350,000 ha of
national forest is undergoing conversion, a process driven mostly by mining. The negative
impact of the loss of protected forests in North-Western Province is disproportionately high.
Most ‘intact’ protected forests in Zambia, i.e. forests that are not encroached or otherwise
compromised, are found in this province. These are the same protected forests that would be of
greatest interest to biodiversity conservation.

ii) Deforestation and forest degradation

Among the most important threats to plants and their habitats are deforestation and forest
degradation. The contour map generated from the spatial modeling revealed that northern
Zambia has lost much of its primary forest cover (Figure 5), largely due to shifting cultivation
(Chidumayo, 1987b; Sprague and Oyama, 1999). This is also the area with the highest tree
species diversity as well as the highest species density of miombo genera. Thus deforestation
and forest degradation are major threats to plant biodiversity in northern Zambia. In the east,
central and southern Zambia, conversion of forest land to permanent crop agriculture is the main
driver of forest cover loss.

Uncontrolled late bush fires also contribute to forest degradation in Zambia (Trapnell, 1959;
Lawton, 1978; Chidumayo, 2013). Most wild fires that damage forests and woodlands in Zambia
are caused by man (Figure 6). Timing and frequency of fires determine the effect of fire on the
ecosystem. In the natural state, annual early dry season fires burn the ground layer of the forest
in the cool season (from May to mid-August) when trees are dormant. Severe fires, caused by
late dry season burning, are destructive to forests. Current unlawful forest practices have affected
fire frequency and timing.

24
GRZ (2004). Status of forest reserves 2000. Forestry Department, MTENR.
25
GRZ (2012b). The Forest Estate as at 31 December 2011. Forestry Department, Forest Management Unit, MTENR.
26
GRZ (2012a). Degazettion, excision and gazettion of the Forest Estate 2004-2011. Forestry Department, Forest Management Unit, MTENR.

20
Figure 5: Modeled spatial pattern of forest cover loss in 2005 in Zambia. (Source: NIRAS, 2015).

Figure 6: Degradation of savanna woodland by late dry season fire in Chisamba area in central
Zambia in 2012 (Source: Chidumayo, 2013).

iii) Overexploitation
A number of timber trees are known to be locally threatened due to overexploitation that has
caused mature individuals to become rare. These include Afzelia quanzensis, Daniela ostiniana,
Pterocarpus angolensis, Khaya nyasica and Mitragyna stipulosa (Chidumayo and Njovu, 1998).

21
This is in spite of declaring some of these species as protected or reserved. Currently 17species
of trees are reserved under the Forest Law and can therefore only be cut under license although
in practice this is difficult to enforce. Overharvesting of edible tubers of some orchids, especially
for sale, is also threatening some local orchid populations. Infact, the orchids occurring on
Zambian markets today are mostly brought in from Tanzania with the Zambian orchid
population being seriously rare (Bingham,pers. communication).

iv) Invasive alien plant species

Some introduced species have become very invasive and pose threats to ecosystems and their
constituent indigenous flora. Among such weeds are lantana (Lantana camara) and Mimosa
pigra. Lantana has become a serious weed in forest plantations in the Copperbelt area and at
Victoria Falls World Heritage site in Livingstone. Lantana is known to negatively affect the
regeneration of some indigenous species such as Bauhinia petersiana (Lwando and Chidumayo
2009). Although the potential distribution range of Lantana is projected to contract in Africa
under the future climate scenarios, much of Zambia will remain suitable and highly suitable for
this invasive species (Taylor et al.,2012)27. Control of the Lantana weed is difficult because it
regenerates both sexually and vegetatively, especially from roots. Mimosa pigra, together with
the indigenous Dichrostachys cinerea, have been expanding their range in the Kafue Flats,
perhaps due to climate change and flood regime regulation, at the expense of some indigenous
herbaceous plants and the grassland ecosystems (Indira, 2007)28.

1.4.2 Trends and threats to national parks, game management areas and mammals

It is quite difficult to establish an overall up-to-date picture of the wildlife status and trends in
Zambia due to inadequate data on sightings, sizes and distribution for most species. However,
population data are available for some iconic species, such as elephant, black rhino, and a few
smaller antelopes, such as the Kafue lechwe. Trend analysis shows that the elephant suffered
sharp declines in population size from the 1960s to 1990s but appears to have started recovering
in the post-2000s. Assessment of the status of wildlife populations can also be determined from
records of hunted trophies. The analysis of historical trophy size data indicates that the majority
of antelopes in Zambia have stable population structures as there has been no significant change
in the sizes of hunted trophies from the 1960s to present for the majority of antelopes (Nuzzo and
Traill 2013)29, except buffalo that has shown some decrease in the size of trophies

The following are the identified key threats to National Parks and Game Management Areas and
mammals.

27
Taylor, S., Kumar, L., Reid, N. and Kriticos, D.J. 2012. Climate change and the potential distribution of an invasive shrub, Lantana camara L..
PLoS ONE 7(4): e35565. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0035565.
28
Indira, T.J. 2007. Mapping and modeling of Mimosa pigra expansion in Lochinvar National Park, Zambia. MSc thesis, International Institute
for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, Enschede, The Netherlands.
29
Nuzzo, M. C. and Traill, L. W. (2013). What 50 years of trophy records illustrate for hunted African elephant and
bovid populations. African Journal of Ecology 52: 250 – 253.

22
i) Human encroachment
Most threats to mammal biodiversity are as a result of human actions. Unplanned human
settlements in GMAs and encroachment in NPs is one of the major long-term threats to wildlife
survival as this results in the destruction and reduction in the size of available habitat for
mammals. Protected Areas such as GMAs attract settlements because of their relative abundant
land and natural resources vital to the sustenance of rural livelihoods. High human population
growth undoubtedly means increased demand for land for human settlements and farming.
Increased human populations have resulted in increased demand for more land for agriculture
and loss of wildlife habitat in GMAs. Data from Table 7 clearly show that Bilili Springs,
Namwala and Mukungule GMAs are the most heavily settled GMAs in Zambia. The GMAs
have almost been completely taken over by settlements leaving little land for wildlife
conservation. With increasing settlements in GMAs also come human-wildlife conflicts.

Table 7:Estimate of extent of habitat conversion in some selected GMAs

GMA Average Size (Km²) Human Settled Percentage (%) of

Area (Km²) Human Settled
area
Luangwa Ecosystem GMAs
Mukungule 1,661 1,355 81.6
Munyamadzi 2,675 523 19.5
Lumimba 4,149 959 23.1
Lupande 4,393 1,994 45.4
Musalangu 7,810 2,769 35.5
Sandwe 1,299 426 32.8
West Petauke 1,498 203 13.6
Chisomo 3,016 552 18.3
Kafue Ecosystem GMAs
Mumbwa 2,089 978 46.8
Bilili Springs 3,678 3,660 99.0
Kafue Flats 1,372 445 32.5
Mufunta 6,411 1,150 18.0
Sichifulo 3,600 645 18.0
Namwala 3,162 2,643 83.6
Nkala 202 68 33.6
Kasonso Busanga 7,780 213 5.0
Mulobezi 3,591 591 16.4
Source: Lindsey et al., 2013b30

ii) Illegal wildlife use

Due to high demand for bush meat as is the case in many of African protected areas, poaching
has not spared the wildlife in many protected areas in Zambia. Poaching is often non-selective
thus resulting in harvesting of even productive members of wildlife populations.

30
Lindsey, P., Nyirenda, V., Barnes, J., Becker, M., Tambling, C., Taylor, A & Watson, F (2013b): Zambian Game Management Areas; The
reasons why they are not functioning as ecologically or economically productive buffer zones and what needs to change for them to fulfil that
role.

23
Large mammals of size larger than common waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) are most targeted
due to the large amounts of bush meat they avail for commercial purposes. Of various methods
used in poaching, snaring of wild animals still remains common in buffer zones around national
parks (Lindsey et al., 2013b). The proximity of most protected areas to human settlements
coupled with high unemployment, are some of the causes for this scourge. It has led to the
decline of many wildlife species from these areas.

iv)Habitat degradation
Habitat degradation is another threat to mammal biodiversity. Conversion of wildlife habitats for
cropping and livestock grazing including charcoal production have led to fragmentation of
natural habitats meant for mammal biodiversity. Habitat destruction is exacerbated by shifting
agriculture, burning for charcoal production, cutting for firewood for small-scale tobacco
farming, and the development of mines in some GMAs (Simukonda, 2012)31.

iv) Mining activities

Mining activities in certain protected areas such as in in Kafue NP, in Lochnivar and the
exploration in the Lower Zambezi and Lukusuzi NPs have had negative effects on wildlife
species and their habitats. In Lukusuzi National Park, for example, artisanal mining for
aquamarine, tourmaline and red garnets have been taking place, which has disturbed wildlife
habitats.

TheWildlife Act allows for granting of mining rights in NPs and GMAs as long as an
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which should take into account the need to conserve
and protect biodiversity is carried out and approved by the Zambia Environmental Management
Authority (ZEMA). However, information gathered revealed that about nine mines in Lukusuzi
National Park and Kafue National Park were carrying out mining activities without mining
licenses (OAG, 2014)32. This means that these mining activities were being conducted without
any EIAs having been done. The impact of their activities can be noted in Figure 7 below – total
land and wildlife habitat degradation.

31
Simukonda, C (2012); 2011 Wet Season Survey of the African Elephant and other large herbivores in selected area of the Luangwa Valley,
ZAWA, Chilanga.

32
Office of the Auditor General Report, 2014. Zambia

24
 Figure 7: Impacts of unlicensed mining activities in the Kafue National Park (Source: OAG, 2014)

v) Late Wild fires

Wild fires have been cited as one of the major factors affecting habitats and wildlife. However,
little has been done in controlling fires which have been identified as a major threat to most
protected areas in Zambia. For example, in the Kafue National Park, estimated areas burnt due to
wild fires have increased by 46% from 2004 to 2008 (Table 8).

Table 8: Number of fires in the Kafue National Park and estimated areas burnt (hectares)

Year No. of fires detected Estimated areas burnt (ha)

2004 5,327 10,443
2005 5,736 13,800
2006 5,028 13,000
2007 5,618 14,792
2008 5,978 15,231
Source: Viljioen, 2009

v) Diseases and pesticides

Invertebrates have been documented to be impacted negatively by the use of non-targeted
spraying of persistent organo-insecticides in the control of Trypanosomiasis (Julius et al.,
2014)33. In 1987, an estimated 4,000 deaths of hippopotamus caused by anthrax (Bacillus
anthracis) was reported in the Luangwa valley which also affected buffalo and elephant
(Turnbull et al., 1991)34 but the hippopotamus population appears to have recovered well from
the outbreak following a peak population around 1986.

1.4.3 Trends and threats to birds

Zambia has around 757 (30% of total bird species in Africa) species of birds as of June 2013
showing an increase on the total number of 733 reported in the Fourth National Report (2009).
As of 1999 only seven (7) species were listed as endangered while the current stocktaking
reports indicate that this number has increased to 11 (NIRAS, 2015)).Over the past 15 years, a
decline of around 35%35 has been recorded in site occupancy (occupied areas of suitable habitat)
in most important bird areas. Table 9 shows the key threats, proximate drivers and the primary
indicator of the severity in each habitat type.

33
Julius D. Elias, Jasper N. Ijumba and Florence A. Mamboya (2014) Effectiveness and Compatibility of Non -
Tropical Bio-Monitoring Indices for Assessing Pollution in Tropical Rivers - A Review. International Journal of
Ecosystem 4: 1 28 -134.
34
Turnbull, P. C., Bell, R. H., Saigawa, K., Munyenyembe, F. E., Mulenga, C. K. and Makala, L. H. (1991). Anthrax in
wildlife in the Luangwa valley, Zambia. The Veterinary Record 128: 399 – 403
35
BirdWatch Zambia, Species Status and Trends report, 2012

25
Table 9: Threats to birds, drivers, severity and indicators

THREAT WETLAND HABITATS WOODLAND HABITATS

DRIVER(S) SEVERITY INDICATOR DRIVER(S) SEVERITY INDICATOR
Habitat Loss -Invasive plant -HIGH Reduction in both diversity -Uncontrolled -HIGH Reduction in both diversity
infestations and abundance bush fires and abundance
-altered flood -Deforestation and
regimes (dams and land clearance for
water abstraction settlements and
for hydropower and agriculture
irrigation)
Hunting -Recreation (birds -HIGH Reduced species -Reduced species -HIGH Reduced species abundance
Pressure as pets and illegal abundance(Shoebill36, abundance and
trade) Crowned Crane and the diversity
-Food insecurity in White-headed Vulture)
rural households

Bird Food -Over fishing by -MODERATE Reduction in species -Over use of -LOW Reduction in species
Shortage use of improper diversity pesticides diversity
fishing methods

Droughts, -Long periods of -MODERATE Reduction in both diversity -Long periods of - Reduction in both diversity
floods and dryness, and abundance dryness MODERATE and abundance
Temperature -floods and -floods and (Black-cheeked Lovebird)37.
variation increased water increased water
retention retention

Source: Adapted from BirdWatch Zambia, Species Status and Trends report, 2012.

36
Mullers and Reid, 2011
37
BirdWatch Zambia (BWZ) 2012

26
1.4.4 Trends and threats to aquatic systems and fish
According to the recent Catch Assessment Surveys for for Itezhi-tezhi, Lusiwashi, Kariba, Upper
Zambezi, Tanganyika, Mweru Wantipa, Mweru Luapula and Bangweulu fishery areas
(Department of Fisheries, 2015)38, the CPUE for kapenta on Lake Kariba showed a decline from
177 to 72 kg/boat/night while effort had increased tremendously; commercial kapenta was no
longer taking place on Lake Tanganyika with increased operational costs cited as the major
reason; and overall, the total fish catches increased by slightly over 7% from 75,187 MT
recorded in 2013 to 80,826 MT in 2014 mainly attributed to increase in fish catches on the
Bangweulu, Mweru Luapula and Tanganyika fishery areas. The least contributors to the national
catch over the same period were Lower Zambezi (476 MT), Lusiwashi (833 MT), and
Chambeshi (945 MT). Complete production data for the period 1954 to 2014 were available for
the Kafue fishery and trends for this fishery are shown in Figure 8. For this fishery, total
production peaked in the 1980s and started to decline in the 1990s before decreasing to the
lowest levels in the post-1990s.. Recent fish biodiversity studies were confined to the Zambezi
Basin and Lake Tanganyika. As a result, it is difficult to assess the trends in fish biodiversity at
the national level while the threats reported are for specific areas where the current studies have
been confined.
The following are the key threats and drivers to aquatic systems and fish biodiversity noted since
the Fourth National report.

i) Habitat modification
Habitat modification for aquatic ecosystems arise mainly from damming of rivers, siltation and
introduction of exotic organisms. The damming of rivers relating to the construction of
hydroelectric power stations has, significantly changed the fish fauna of the Middle Zambezi
Basin. The Middle Zambezi has been completely changed by the construction of two great
reservoirs, Lakes Kariba and Cabora Bassa.

The planned construction of dams at Devil's and Batoka Gorges, as well as some sites below
Cabora Bassa, could destroy the last remaining riverine habitats and fishes of the Lower
Zambezi. As the need for electricity increases, the demand for the construction of additional
hydroelectricity projects increases. Currently plans are underwayfor establishing hydroelectric
projects along the Kalungwish River. This is an area where the biodiversity of the river system is
not well known.

ii) Invasive alien species

Aquatic weeds like the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Kariba weed (Salvinia molesta)
and carpet weed (Azolla filiculoides) continue to cause problems in many rivers systems. This
can be noticed in the Maramba River in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, the Kafue River in the
Kafue National Park and Zambezi River in Lower Zambezi National Park. Cray fish have been
recorded as being on the increase in the Kafue fishery posing a threat to the other aquatic
organisms in the fishery requiring better monitoring of the fishery for biodiversity conservation
and fish production purposes.

38
Department of Fisheries (2015). 2014 fisheries statistics: Annual report. Chilanga.

27
iii) Poor aquaculture practices
The exotic Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) escaped from aquaculture into the Kafue River in
the 1980s (Schwanck, 1995)39 and in 2008 this species was distributed throughout the Kafue
River between Itezhi-tezhi and Kafue Gorge dams and is as now common as the native O.
andersonii (Deines et al., 2012). Clearly this exotic species is increasing at a faster rate and may
well out-dominate or replace the native tilapia in the Kafue fishery in future.

1.4.5 Trends and threats to invertebrates and their habitats

The IUCN red list data of 2014 records 14 invertebrate species as threatened in Zambia of which
majority are fresh water molluscs. The following are the key threats and drivers identified for
invertebrates and their associated habitats that were not reported in the Fourth National Report.

i)Pollution
Freshwater systems have been shown to be particularly vulnerable, as discharges tend to spread
rapidly here than in other ecosystems. Studies on the Kafue ecosystem (Chama and Siachoono
2015)40 indicate that effluents from the mines affected the diversity of butterflies, dragonflies and
other benthonic invertebrates by significant levels with increasing redox, electrical conductivity
and turbidity.

Although this fact may need further investigations, North-western province which has become a
hive of mining activities is also a centre of endemism for most odonatan species in Zambia.
Therefore, particular attention should be directed to conducting impact assessments for
infrastructure and mining developments in these areas to safeguard the invertebrate diversity.

ii) Overexploitation of edible invertebrates (Caterpillar worm)

Recent reports indicate that the quantities of caterpillar worm in Mpika, Chinsali and central
Zambia have significantly reduced between 2008 and 2013. There could be several factors
attributed to this reduction. With minimal barriers to entry into both the collection and trade of
the worm, coupled with increasing incidence of poverty in landscapes where the worms are
found, there is a general increasing trend of overexploitation and a decline in selective harvesting
(Akpalu, 2007;)41. If sustainable measures are not put in place, this trend may lead to depletion
of the regeneration base of the worm consequently creating an imbalance in the ecological
equation of nature and deprive communities of a rich source of cheap animal protein.

iii) Uncontrolled fires

Frequent uncontrolled fires impact on all groups of insects and soil invertebrates. For instance,
the species range restricted to Acinogrion rarum known to exist in Makutu and Mafinga

39
Schwanck, E.J. (1995). The introduced Oreochromis niloticus is spreading on the Kafue floodplain. Hydrobiologia 315: 143 – 147.

40
Chama, L. & Siachoono, S. (2015). Effectiveness of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies and invertebrates as indicators of freshwater
ecological integrity. Geophysical Research Vol. 17, EGU2015-13383, 2015.
41
Wisdom Akpalu, Edwin Muchapondwa & Precious Zikhali (2007) Can the restrictive harvest period policy conserve mopane worms in
Southern Africa? A bio-economic modelling approach. Working Paper Number 65. Center for Environmental Economics and Policy in Africa
(CEEPA), University of Pretoria

28
mountains is threatened by uncontrolled fires.

The IUCN lists one species of butterfly as endangered, Acrea acrita ambigua. This species is
characteristic of grassland of Kataba area near Mulobezi GMA with not many threats except the
frequent forest fires that destroy the larvae(NIRAS, 2015).

Trends and threats to agrobiodiversity

Although Zambia has not officially sanctioned the growing of GMOs, the country continues to be under
threat from importation of agricultural products, e.g., fruits and vegetables, which pose a health risk to the
population in the long-term. There is also mounting pressure from seed companies to introduce
genetically modified seed varieties. It has also been observed that more and more land continues to be
taken up by cash crops (monocrops) such as cotton, tobacco and hybrid maize, thereby reducing the land
area under traditional crops and by implication on-farm genetic diversity (NIRAS, 2015)42. Landraces are
desirable for their special characteristics such as storability, taste, resistance to drought and pests. There
has been an increasing trend among small-scale and emergent farmers growing maize to use hybrid seed.
For example, the area under hybrid maize production has exceeded the area under local maize varieties
and continues to increase since 2006 (GRZ Crop forecasting surveys).

Climate change - Future scenario crosscutting threat

Although IPCC scenarios project that southern Africa will experience a declining trend in rainfall during
the 21st century, there has been little consistent change (trend) in annual rainfall in Zambia; however
inter-seasonal and intra-seasonal variability in annual rainfall remains high and this is likely to continue
during most of this century. Studies (Couroche Kalantary, 2010)43 indicate that Zambia’s fish are in
danger. Water levels are predicted to lower down in rivers and lakes, subsequently affecting the fishing
industry. Some fish species such as the breams and sardines, which are the most vulnerable ones, might
not survive the environmental change. Some communities also depend on various animals as a source of
nutrition. For example, puku, lechwe and waterbucks will impact their surrounding communities when
their migrating behaviors will alter due to the changes in rainfall frequencies. Also, higher temperatures
and droughts will prevent the forests from regenerating properly. All these indications point to the need
for urgent attention to be paid to climate change for biodiversity conservation.

42
Based on expert observations from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
43
Couroche Kalantary, 2010. Climate Change in Zambia: Impacts and Adaptation. Global Majority E-Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 85-96

29
 CHAPTER 2
CURRENT STATUS OF THE NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION
PLAN, ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND THE MAINSTREAMING OF BIODIVERSITY

2.1 Country Biodiversity Targets and Actions Taken

Zambia’s 1999 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) set out a total of 14
targets (Table 10). However, the implementation of the Strategy towards the set targets
encountered a number of problems, notably: (a) lack of a monitoring framework to assess
changes in the baselines; (b) inadequate a coordination framework to streamline
implementationand (c) absence of a financing framework with clear commitments from both the
Zambian Government and external sources.. The draft monitoring plan developed by Guveya et
al. (2001)44 was never fully developed or adopted. A cursory review of achievements towards
the set targets under the 1999 NBSAP shows very weak direct results (Table 10, column 4).
Most of the actions taken could broadly be classified as means rather than ends in meeting the set
targets. In other cases, there were no direct actions taken and hence there were no data available
(Table 10).

Table 11: Biodiversity Targets under the 1999 NBSAP and Achievements

1 2 3 4
Goal Objective Expected Outcomes/Targets Achievements To Date
(Actions taken)
1. Ensure the 1.1 To assess the coverage of Report on the adequacy of the - Undertook reclassification
conservation of a full Zambia's ecosystems in the coverage of the existing of Zambia’s PA system
range of Zambia's existing protected areas protected areas network and which identified gaps in
natural ecosystems network in order to ensure identification of unprotected species representation in the
through a network of inclusion of all of Zambia's areas that need to be gazetted wildlife protected areas and
protected areas of major ecosystems. as PAs. recommended for additional
viable size. types of protected areas(e.g.
community parks,
community protected forest
areas).
- Completion of the National
Forest Inventory (ILUA) in
2014
- Completion of the national
aerial wildlife survey in 2013

1.2 To modify the existing New areas for inclusion in the - Creation of Lusaka National
protected areas network to protected areas network Park bringing the total
include representative identified and new protected number of parks to 20.
areas of viable size of all areas gazetted. - Game Management Areas
of Zambia's major (GMAs) rose from 33 to 36
ecosystems. by 2014.
1.3 To enhance the effective Local and broad participation - Creation of community
participation of the in the protection and parks (.e.g., Simalaha
stakeholders in the management of the PA network Community Conservancy in
management of the in place. Mwandi District, Western
Protected Area (PA) Province)
network. - Involvement of the private
sector in the effective

44
Guveya, E., M. Kokwe and E. Hachileka. 2001. Zambia NBSAP Monitoring System (A. Moiseev, ed.). Report on a workshop held at the
Holiday Inn, Zambia. 21-24 May, 2001.

30
 management of national
parks (e.g., Liuwa and
Kasanka National Parks)
2. Conservation of the 2.1 To conserve the genetic Genetic diversity of traditional No data
genetic diversity of diversity of traditional crop varieties and their wild
Zambia’s crops and crop varieties and their relatives conserved.
livestock. wild relatives.
2.2 To conserve the genetic The conservation of genetic No data
diversity of traditional diversity of traditional
livestock breeds. livestock breeds.
3. Improve the legal and 3.1 To strengthen and develop Establishment of enabling - Formalization of the National
institutional framework appropriate legal and institutional and legal Tree Planting Programme
and human resources to institutional framework for sustainable - Development of the new
implement the frameworks for the biodiversity management Forest Policy (2014)
strategies for management of - Completion of the National
conservation of biodiversity in Zambia's REDD+ Strategy
biodiversity, PAs. - Launch of the Lake
sustainable use and Tanganyika Integrated
equitable sharing of Management Project to
benefits from promote sustainable
biodiversity. management of the lake and
natural resources in the basin
- Revision of the Wildlife Act
and Policy
- Completion of the national
aerial wildlife survey and
inventory (2013)
- Implementation of the
Kavango-Zambezi
Transfrontier Area (KAZA)
to protect wildlife migratory
corridors and populations in
Angola, Botswana, Namibia,
Zambia and Zimbabwe
- Enactment of a new
Environmental Management
Act which emphasizes
enforcement of EIAs, SEAs,
wetland protection and
regulation of mining in
protected areas
- Amendment of Fisheries Act
of 2009 to provide for co-
management
- Enactment of new Fisheries
Act of 2011 promulgating
restrictions in fishing
methods, special fish
management areas, and
aquaculture.
3.2 To develop a co-ordination The establishment and No data.
mechanism among implementation of a
institutions responsible for coordination mechanism
biodiversity management among institutions responsible
for biodiversity management.
3.3 To improve Biodiversity Increased knowledge of No data
knowledge in Zambia biodiversity among the
stakeholders.

31
 4. Sustainable use and 4.1 To develop and implement The establishment of No notable action during the
Managementof local management systems management systems that current reporting period..
Biological Resources. that promote sustainable promote sustainable use of
use of biological resources. biological resources and their
implementation.
4.2 To establish the An established and fully No data
sustainable maximum functional monitoring system.
yields of biological
resources and design and
implement a system of
monitoring their utilization
and management.
5. Develop an appropriate 5.1 To establish an appropriate Appropriate institutional - Development of Biosafety
legal and institutional institutional framework for framework for bio-safety Act in 2007 and Biosafety
framework and the bio-safety. established. Regulations in 2010
needed human promulgating protection of
resources to minimise local biodiversity and safety.
the risks of GMOs. - Establishment of a National
GMO Detection Laboratory.
5.2 To develop adequate Adequate human resources for No data
human resources for bio- bio-safety are developed and
safety. put in place.
6. Ensure the equitable 6.1 To develop and adopt a Equitable sharing of benefits. - No notable action during
sharing of benefits legal and institutional the current reporting period
from the use of framework, which will Institutionalization of
Zambia's biological ensure that benefits are
resources. shared equitably.
6.2 To create and strengthen The effective management and No notable action during the
community based natural utilisation of natural resources current reporting period but
resources management by traditional establishments notable action not reported in
institutions. and local communities. the fourth national report
include:
- Formation of the Zambia
Natural Resources
Consultative Forum
(ZNRCF) (currently very
weak and not fully
functional)
- Formation of the Zambia
CBNRM Forum (currently
very active)
- Formation of the Zambia
Climate Change Network
(ZCCN) anchored on strong
community advocacy and
engagement (currently very
active)

2.2 Revision and Update of the 1999 NBSAP

Revision of the 1999 NBSAP is currently ongoing and involves nine (9) steps as follows:
1. Scoping – gathering of baseline data;
2. Stocktaking and status assessment;
3. Thematic analysis;
4. Identification of major strategies;

32
 5. Setting national targets, principles and priorities;
6. Development of the revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and
formulation Fifth National Report;
7. Development of implementation plans;
8. Assessment of institutional arrangements; and
9. Assessment of resource needs.

2.2.1 Scoping- gathering of baseline data

The gathering of baseline data on Zambia’s biodiversity assets will entail a detailed literature
review synthesizing both old and new studies on biodiversity in Zambia and focus on the
following aspects:
- Type and distribution of key species and their habitats;
- Type and distribution of key natural and semi-natural ecosystems (e.g., forests, wetlands,
grasslands, mountains).
- Type and distribution of key modified ecosystems (e.g., agriculture, plantations)

The output will be a synthesis of updated data on Zambia’s biodiversity and ecosystems.

2.2.2 Stocktaking and status assessment

The review of the Country Study undertaken in Zambia in 1998, and accompanying stocktaking
reports, which led to the formulation of the 1999 NBSAP, were reviewed as an initial step in the
stocktaking and status assessment. For each key biodiversity asset, the following attributes will
be assessed:
• The ecological status (e.g., ecosystems integrity, species diversity and genetic diversity,
etc.)
• The threat status (e.g., invasive species, fragmentation, pollution, climate change
vulnerability, rate of loss, etc.)
• The protection and conservation status (e.g., degree of protection, harvest limits,
restoration for resilience opportunity, etc.)

The output of the stocktaking and assessment provided detailed information on the status of
different biodiversity components including threats, opportunities and unmet needs.

2.2.3 Thematic analysis

Key thematic analysis will focus on the following five themes:
- Comprehensive protected area assessment;
- Comprehensive climate resilience assessment;
- Ecosystem services valuation and mainstreaming assessment;
- Natural resource management assessment; and
- Enabling policy environment assessment.

The output involved detailed thematic reports on protected areas, climate resilience, ecosystem
services valuation and mainstreaming, natural resource management, and enabling policy
environment – highlighting opportunities and gaps.

33
2.2.4 Identification of major strategies
This will entail development of:
- Comprehensive protected area strategies;
- Climate resilience and restoration strategies;
- Mainstreaming strategies;
- Natural resource management strategies; and
- Enabling policy environment strategies.

The output will include detailed thematic strategies on protected areas, climate resilience and
ecosystem restoration, mainstreaming, natural resource management, and enabling policy
environment – to feed into the setting of national targets, principles and priorities and subsequent
development of the Strategy and Action Plan.

2.2.5 Setting National Targets, Principles and Priorities

Using results from the stocktaking and status assessment, the developed thematic strategies, the
guidance given by the COP 10 directive through the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, a review of
national policy goals, and stakeholder consultations, this step will involve a process of building
consensus on national biodiversity targets and priorities for the period leading up to 2020 in line
with the recently adopted CBD Strategic Plan (2011-2020) and its associated Aichi targets and
indicators.

2.2.6 Development of the Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and Fifth
National Report

Based on national acceptance and endorsement of the outputs from the stocktaking and
assessment, identified strategies, the set national targets and principles, the draft NBSAP will be
developed. The draft NBSAP will be subjected to local, sub-national, expert and national level
consultations. Based on stakeholder feedback, scientific and expert peer review, and close client
consultation, a final NBSAP shall be prepared.

2.2.7 Development of Implementation Plans

In consultation with key stakeholders and drawing from the draft revised NBSAP’s strategies
and actions, we will develop appropriate implementation plans that take into account, among
other things, human and technological needs, communication, capacity-building and outreach.
We note the urgent need for resource mobilization for effective implementation of the revised
NBSAP. The output from this step is an implementation plan with clear implementation
arrangements adapted to Zambia’s institutional environment and economic realities.

2.2.8 Assessment of Institutional Arrangements

A robust institutional arrangement is needed for the effective implementation of the NBSAP.
Based on lessons learned from implementation of the 1999 NBSAP and through stakeholder
consultations and the identified suitable implementation plan, an institutional arrangement option
that is acceptable to the stakeholders, and within the Government’s means and capacity shall be
recommended. In addition, a monitoring and reporting and information exchange framework
shall be recommended.

34
2.2.9 Assessment of resource needs
Resource needs entail financial, human and material resources required to effectively implement
the NBSAP. Assessment of financial resources needed shall be based on the identified key
priorities to be financed. Potential financing sources (including through mainstreaming) at
national, bilateral and multilateral levels shall be identified. Based on the results of institutional
arrangements assessment, human and technological resource needs including capacity building
and outreach mechanisms shall be recommended for effective implementation of the revised
NBSAP. The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), for which Zambia is a pilot country, will
help strengthen the financing framework for the revised NBSAP.

2.3 Mainstreaming of Biodiversity into Relevant Sectoral and Cross Sectoral Strategies,
Plans and Programmes

Between 1999 and 2014, Zambia has undertaken a number of Policy, Legal and Regulatory
(PLR) reforms, all supportive of biodiversity conservation in the country. Table 11provides a
summary of such efforts. In terms of PLR reform and development, Zambia has made
significant strides towards achievements of its set targets to establish an enabling institutional
and legal framework for sustainable biodiversity management and an appropriate institutional
framework for biosafety (Table 11). Among the key achievements was the enactment of the
Environmental Management Act (EMA) in 2011. The EMA is the parent environmental
legislation regulating environmental issues in the country with strict requirements for
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for
any large scale development projects.

35
Table 12: Zambia’s efforts towards mainstreaming biodiversity in the relevant Policy, Legal and
Regulatory frameworks.

Type of Name Relevant Sections Incorporating Biodiversity

Instrument
Environmental - Principles governing environmental management, Section 6(e): Equitable access
Management Act (2011) to environmental resources shall be promoted and the functional integrity of
ecosystems shall be taken into account to ensure the sustainability of the
ecosystems and to prevent adverse effects;
- Conservation of biological diversity, Section 26(1): The Minister shall strive to
attain the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its
components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the
utilization of biological resources;
- Conservation of biological diversity in-situ, Section 27(1): The Minister may, in
consultation with the Agency and the appropriate authorities, make regulations
providing for in-situ conservation of biological diversity.
- Conservation of biological diversity ex-situ, Section 28(1): The Minister may, in
consultation with the Agency and the appropriate authorities, make regulations
with respect to ex-situ conservation of biological diversity;
- Environmental Impact Assessment, Section 29(1): Need for EIA for any project
that may have an effect on the environment; and
- Duty to inform Agency of intention to develop, Section 36 (3b) and (3c): an
extension or alteration of an existing industrial facility or plant, agricultural
scheme, business or any other undertaking shall be deemed to be new if the
extension will alter the ecosystem or alter the biodiversity regime.
Forest Bill (2014) - Establishment of national forests, local forests, botanical reserves, private
forests, community forests and jointly managed forests, Part III, Sections (10),
(17), (24), (26), (29) and (36), respectively: All these provisions promulgate
sustainable utilization and conservation of forest biodiversity;
Acts

- Declaration of protected flora and recovery plans for protected flora, Part V,
Sections (47) and (48), respectively: The Bill allows for the Minister to declare
any rare or endangered flora as protected and acquire any category of land for
the recovery of such flora.
Water Resources - Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) and functions, Part II, Section
Management Act (2011) (8): The Act obliges the WRMA, in considering, formulating and implementing
any proposal for the use, management, development or exploration of any water
to have a plan that contains measures to avert environmental degradation and to
take into account regulations, standards and guidelines issued by, or under, the
Environmental Management Act, 2011; and
- Catchment Councils, Sub-catchment Councils, Water Users Associations and
their functions, Part III, Section 18(1): The Act urges the Authority through the
Catchment Councils to ensure catchment protection, resource quality monitoring
and evaluation and to implement regulations and guidelines on catchment
protection to conserve water resources and biodiversity.
Fisheries Act (2011) - General principle, Section 12(i): the need to preserve biodiversity in fishery
waters; and
- Management plans, Section 28(4a): before preparing a management plan, the
Director of Fisheries shall consult with any Government or other relevant
authority concerned with general conservation and biodiversity matters.
Mines and Minerals Despite being a recent piece of legislation, the Act fails to recognize the important
Development Act (2012) role of biodiversity conservation and allows for mineral development in protected
areas. However, the Act mentions the importance of forest nurseries or plantations
and of national forests or local forests and advises developers to take this into
account and have written consent and be in compliance with the relevant
provisions of the Forest Act in the management of these resources.

36
 Biosafety Act (2007) Relevant specific objectives:
- Regulate the research, development, application, import, export, transit,
contained use, release or placing on the market of any genetically modified
organism whether intended for use as a pharmaceutical, food, feed or processing,
or a product of a genetically modified organism;
- Ensure that any activity involving the use of any genetically modified organism
or a product of a genetically modified organism prevents any socio¬ economic
impact or harm to human and animal health or any damage to the environment,
non-genetically modified crops and biological diversity; and
- Set and implement standards for the assessment, evaluation and management of
any potential risk involving the use of any genetically modified organism or
product of a genetically modified organism.
National Policy on Relevant Specific Objectives:
Environment (2007) - To promote the sound protection and management of Zambia’s environmental
and natural resources in their entirety, balancing the needs for social and
economic development and environmental integrity to the maximum extent
possible, while keeping adverse activities to the minimum;
- To ensure broad-based environmental awareness and commitment to enforce
environmental laws and to the promotion of environmental accountability;
- To build individual and institutional capacities to sustain the environment;
- To regulate and enforce environmental laws; and
- To promote the development of sustainable industrial and commercial processes
having full regard for environmental integrity.
National Forest Policy Relevant Specific Objectives:
(2014) - To ensure the integrity, productivity and the development potential of the forest
resources;
- To ensure adequate protection of forests, by empowering local communities and
promoting the development and use of wood, non-wood forest products and
services;
- To ensure sustainable management of forest ecosystems and biodiversity
through the application of both scientific and local knowledge;
- To improve the role of forests in the provision of ecosystem services and
abatement of climate change; and
- To ensure the establishment and sustainable management of forest resources for
Policies

wood fuel production.

National Agriculture Relevant Specific Objectives:
Policy (2013) - To promote the sustainable management and use of natural resources; and
- To mainstream environment and Climate Change in the agricultural sector.
Draft National Policy on Relevant Specific Objectives:
Climate Change (2012) - Provide a conducive and enabling policy framework and a concerted programme
of action to minimize the impacts of climate change, based on existing sectoral
policies and strategic plans;
- Provide a coordinated approach and overall guidance to the implementation of
climate change activities including climate change adaptation and mitigation
programmes, awareness creation, education, capacity building, technology
development and transfer, and financing, among others;
- Put in place robust adaptation and mitigation measures needed to minimize risks
associated with climate change and maximize opportunities as well as
monitoring, verification and reporting systems;
- Promote multi-communication and dissemination pathways and enhance
awareness and understanding of climate change and its impacts;
- Promote development pathways that generate co-benefits and provide incentives
for addressing climate change more effectively;
- Promote Zambia’s effective participation in the global climate change
negotiations;
- Promote investment to achieve climate-resilient and low emission development;
- Promote and support research on climate change and variability; and
- Establish a long term institutional arrangement for implementation of climate
change actions.

37
 Mining Policy (2013) Relevant Specific Objectives:
- Achieve a socially and internationally acceptable balance between mining and
the biophysical environment and to ensure that acceptable standards of health,
safety and environmental protection are observed by all participants in the
mining sector.
Water Policy (2010)
Energy Policy (2008) Relevant Policy Measures:
- Provide appropriate financial and fiscal instruments for stimulating the
production and use of biomass.
Fisheries Policy (2011)
National Climate Change Relevant Specific Objectives:
Response Strategy (2012) - Enhancing sustainable agricultural production and food security;
- Sustainable water resource management;
- Protecting health from climate change and climate variability;
- Developing sustainable land use systems;
- Climate-proofing infrastructure;
- Developing a less-carbon intensive transport system;
- Ensuring the resiliency of the energy systems to climatic shocks;
- Investing in/developing less carbon-intensive energy systems; and
- Mainstreaming: Climate Screening and Proofing carried out in all relevant
sectors.
National Agriculture Key Components:
Plans/Strategies

Investment Plan (2013) - To improve land-use planning and enhance community participation in
integrated land-use systems (land administration and management);
- Efficient water use and management;
- Promotion of afforestation, community woodlots and agroforestry;
- Promotion of efficient energy use from natural resources;
- Sustainable capture fisheries management; and
- Promotion of sustainable crop and livestock production.
Integrated Water Relevant Specific Objectives:
Resources Management - Integrated management of all the resources in the catchment areas;
Implementation Plan - Improved water resources planning and management;
(2008) - Improved water use and allocation efficiency;
- Increased access to safe water supply and sanitation to the urban, peri-urban and
rural population;
- Provision of adequate, safe and cost effective water supply and sanitation
services with due regard to environmental protection; and
- Monitoring and evaluation of performance of the programmes and projects in
order to determine their environmental impacts.
National Adaptation The aim of the programme is to improve the conservation of biodiversity to
Programme of Action on mitigate the impacts of climate change and promote resilience among local
Climate Change (2007) communities and businesses.
Lake Tanganyika The LTIMP is aimed at realizing effective and sustainable management of Lake
Programmes

Integrated Management Tanganyika and other natural resources within the basin with the end objective of
Programme (LTIMP) contributing to sustainable conservation of the biodiversity of the lake basin as a
(2009) trans-border natural resource.
National Tree Planting The aim of the programme is to plant a total of 2,000 ha of exotic tree plantation,
Programme (2013) as well as community woodlots, in each of the 10 provinces. Additional objectives
include improving protection of ecosystem services such as watershed
management and biodiversity conservation through reduced pressure on
indigenous forests.

38
 CHAPTE III

PROGRESS TOWARDS THE 2010 AICHI BIODIVERSITY TARGETS AND POST

2015 TARGETS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

3.1 Progress Towards the 2010 Aichi Targets

The progress towards the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and
its Aichi Biodiversity Targets began in earnest in Zambia in December 2014 due to
administrative challenges that Government faced as a result of the restructuring of some
Ministries, including the one responsible for the CBD which took quite long following the
change of government in 2011. However, even before the cpommencement of revision of the
1999 NBSAP, some activities and projects which have been undertaken have made contribution
towards meeting some of the Aighi Biodiversity Targets. The matrix below attempts to show the
progress made in achieving some of these targets.

3.2 Table on Progress Towards Meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Targets

Aichi Targets Actions Outcomes Level of Indicators used Cases or

Taken to Achieved Progress Made for assessment success
Achieve Aichi (high, medium stories
Targets or low, or using
percentage or
traffic light)
• Level of
1. By 2020, at the latest, Several awareness Increased awareness
people are aware of the values activities over the levels of High among key Symposium on
of biodiversity and the steps years, including in awreness and stakeholders successes and
they can take to conserve and process of increased (Government, lessons learnt
use it sustainably. reviewing coverage by TAs, Business, in conservation
NBSAP media Local in Zambia over
communities, 50 years since
etc.) of the independence,
values of May 2015,
biodiversity and University of
steps taken to Zambia, Lusaka
medium conserve and use
it sustainably

• Actual change in
human behaviour
towards
biodiversity
conservation
2. By 2020, at the latest, • Specific chapters
biodiversity values have been No much work Low within the
integrated into national and done SeNDP
local development and integrating
poverty reduction strategies biodiversity
and planning processes and Low values.
are being incorporated into • Number of
national accounting, as provincial and

39
appropriate, and reporting district
systems. Procinces and development
districts include Local plans medium plans integrating
biodiversity in which include biodiversity
their local biodiversity values
development consrvation
plans • Number of
planning
processes
incorporated into
the national
planning and
budgeting system
including
reporting
mechanisms
3.By 2020, at the latest,
incentives, including Incentives for Community • No. of CRBs
subsidies, harmful to wildlife Resource Medium established in Mechanism for
biodiversity are eliminated, conservation Boards GMAs benefit sharing
phased out or reformed in among through which with
order to minimize or avoid communitities communities • Increase in level communities
negative impacts, and positive participate in of community through CRBS
incentives for the wildlife involvement in in GMAs from
conservation and sustainable conservation conservation revenue from
use of biodiversity are and receive activities hunting
developed and applied, benefits concessions and
consistent and in harmony other sources of
with the Convention and incomes
other relevant international
obligations, taking into
account national socio
economic conditions
4.By 2020, at the latest,
Governments, business and Established and
stakeholders at all levels have Not much work updated baselines for Not yet
taken steps to achieve or have done on this Not yet low sustainable production
implemented plans for and utilization of
sustainable production and fisheries, forests and
consumption and have kept wildlife
the impacts of use of natural
resources well within safe
ecological limits.
5. By 2020, the rate of loss of Afforestation,
all natural habitats, including reforestation and REDD+
forests, is at least halved and promotion of On-going medium % reduction in the Strategy which
where feasible brought close regeneration rates of deforestation has been
to zero, and degradation and developed will
fragmentation is significantly contribute to
reduced this

6. By 2020 all fish and • Re-

invertebrate stocks and stocking of
aquatic plants are managed Regulation of fish
and harvested sustainably, fishing gear used, On-going medium % reduction in species
legally and applying fish bans to unsustainable and
ecosystem based approaches, promote fish to illegal fishing • promotion
so that overfishing is avoided, spawn practices of cage
recovery plans and measures fish
are in place for all depleted farming in
species, fisheries have no selected
significant adverse impacts on fisheries

40
threatened species and
vulnerable ecosystems and
the impacts of fisheries on
stocks, species and
ecosystems are within safe
ecological limits
• At least 50% of
• Climate area (ha) under
smart agriculture
agriculture is sustainably
promoted Almost 40% managed.
7. By 2020 areas under of total area • At least 90% of
agriculture, aquaculture and • Conservation under High area (ha) under
forestry are managed farming is Protected area aquaculture
sustainably, ensuring ongoing systm sustainably
conservation of biodiversity managed. Exceeding
• Cage fish • At least 65% of global targets
farmining to area (ha) under on conservation
restock national and targets in the
depleted local forest country
water bodies reserves
sustainably
• Protected managed.
area system • At least 80% of
forest area (ha)
under national
parks sustainably
managed.
• At least 50% of
forest area (ha)
under Game
Management
Areas
sustainably
managed.
• At least 80% of
forest area (ha)
under forest
concessions
sustainably
managed.
• At least 40% of
forest area (ha)
under open areas
sustainably
managed
8.By 2020, pollution,
including from excess Regulating and Standards in medium % reduction in
nutrients, has been brought to monitoring of place effluent loads from
levels that are not detrimental effluents and industry (baselines to
to ecosystem function and discharge from be obtained from
biodiversity activities ZEMA).

9. By 2020, invasive alien

species and pathways are
identified and prioritized, Projects on IAS Methods of Measures put in place Lochinvar and
priority species are controlled implemented eradictating for the Victoria Falls
or eradicated, and measures IAS low control/eradication of National Parks
are in place to manage established invasive species
pathways

41
10. By 2015, the
multiple anthropogenic
pressures on coral
reefs, and other N/A Zambia has N/A N/A N/A N/A
vulnerable ecosystems no coast or sea
impacted by climate
change or ocean
acidification are
minimized, so as to
maintain their integrity
and functioning
11. By 2020, at least 17 per • Rationalize
cent of terrestrial and inland d PA
water, and 10 per cent of system at
coastal and marine areas, landscape
especially areas of particular level in the
importance for biodiversity Almost 40% of 20 National nation.
and ecosystem services, are country’s total Parks and 490
land area is in Forest High
conserved through effectively
protected areas Reserves and • No. of new Exceeding the
and equitably managed,
other PAs that 17% global
ecologically representative protected have been target
and well-connected systems areas considered
of protected areas and other representati
effective area-based ve and
conservation measures, and included in
integrated into the wider the national
landscape and seascapes PA system

• Kafue lechwe-
12. By 2020 the extinction of Identificastion of Population current Establishment
known populations of species that are statistics of population of of a new
threatened species have been threatened threatened medium ~30,000 secured Lusaka
secured and are increasing has species and increased by National Park
been prevented and their Population 30% stocked with
conservation status, surveys and other • Rhino – current species
particularly of those most in assessments of population of 42 including
decline, has been improved species secured and endangered
and sustained increased by ones
21%
• Shoebill
• Wattled crane
• Mopane and teak
• Number of crops
including wild
13. By 2020, the genetic relatives and
diversity of cultivated plants Establishment livestock genetic • Establishm
and farmed and domesticated Research in of no. of wild Medium resources ent of the
animals and of wild relatives, genetic diversity relatives of maintained and National
including other socio- cultivated crops cultivated sustainably Biosafety
economically as well as crops utilized Agency
culturally valuable species, is • Policy measures • Zambia
maintained, and strategies have been put in Africulture
have been developed and place to reduce Research
implemented for minimizing genetic erosion Institute
genetic erosion and and safeguard
safeguarding their genetic plant and animal
diversity. genetic and
promote their
sustainable
utilization

42
14. By 2020, ecosystems that • There are no
provide essential services, deforestation and
including services related to forest Kafue and
water, and contribute to Assessment of degradation Zambezi River
health, livelihoods and status of selected Identification low activities taking catchment areas
wellbeing, are restored and ecosystems, of water place in Kaleni identified as
safeguarded, taking into especially water bodies that are Hills – the threatened
account the needs of women, bodies threatened Zambezi source.
indigenous and local • Government has
communities, and the poor taken deliberate
and vulnerable and documented
actions to curtail
deforestation and
forest
degradation in
the Kafue
ecosystem.
• Luangwa River
is maintained as
a free-flowing
river from source
to the delta
without
developmental
activities that
jeopardise its
integrity
15. By 2020, ecosystem Undertaking Identification • % reduction in
resilience and the contribution Integrated of status of emissions from
of biodiversity to carbon Landuse forest deforestation REDD+
stocks has been enhanced, Assessment ecosystems (verifiable GHG Strategy
through conservation and (ILUA-II) and status of Medium emissions from developed
restoration, including degradation deforestation);
restoration of at least 15 per • conservation of
cent of degraded ecosystems, Promotion of forest carbon
thereby contributing to regeneration of stocks (verifiable
climate change mitigation and natural forests carbon figures
adaptation and to combating from forest
desertification. conservation);
• sustainable
management of
forests (evidence
of SFM and
benefits); and
• enhancement of
forest carbon
stocks (evidence
of carbon stocks
from
reforestation/
afforestation/assi
sted natural
regeneration)
16.By 2015, the Nagoya
Protocol on Access to Genetic Undertaking Five out of ten Benefit sharing Expect to
Resources and the Fair and consultations to provinces Medium mechanisms defined/ accede to the
Equitable Sharing of Benefits accede to the consulted at redefined in the Nagoya
Arising from their Utilization Nagoya Protocol time of this relevant sectors and Protocol by
is in force and operational, report are being enforced. 2016
consistent with national
legislation

43
17. By 2015 each Party has
developed, adopted as a Reviewing the Several Submission of the NBSAP
policy instrument, and has NBSAP already consultations NBSAP to the CBD expected to be
commenced implementing an underway undertaken, High Secretariat by 2015 finalized before
effective, participatory and stocktaking end of 2015
updated national biodiversity done and
strategy and action plan. target setting
underway

3.3 Revising of the NBSAP of 1999

Government, through the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection
commenced the process of revising the NABSAP of 1999 with an inception workshop in
December 2014 involving several stakeholders from all the ten regions. Stakeholders represented
included local communities and other special interest groups. The meeting was focused on how
the revision of the 1999 NBSAP will be updated in line with the Global CBD Strategic Plan and
its Aichi Targets. Part of the first outputs of the updating of the 1999 NBSAP process is the
stocktaking assessment exercise whose initial results are reflected in this report. The following
are the key steps in line with the CBD guidance that have been proposed for updating the 1999
Zambian NBSAP.

Figure 9 below illustrates the process to be followed in reviewing, updating and revising the
1999 NBSAP. The steps include: Scoping - gathering of baseline information; Stocktaking and
status assessment; Conducting thematic analyses; Identifying national targets, principles and
priorities of the Strategy; Developing the Strategy and Action Plan as well as the Fifth National
Report; Assessing institutional arrangements and development of framework for monitoring,
reporting and data sharing; and assessing resource needs. The steps have been explained in
detail in Section 2.2.
Develop
Monitoring
Scoping and Stocktaking Conduct Identify Develop Assess Develop
gathering of & status thematic major strategy & institutional monitoring
baseline data assessment analyses strategies action plan arrangements framework
targetsesourc
e needs

Figure 9: NBSAP revision framework and step-wise process

3.4 Lessons Learned from the Implementation of the Convention

The key lessons learned in the implementation of the convention are as flows:

a) The 1999 NBSAP was not implemented in a systematic manner and this needs to be addressed
in the revised NBSAP by ensuring that, besides an Action Plan, an Implementation Plan and a
Monitoring Framework against which progress in the recommended actions are clearly
monitored are put in place.

44
b) The current NBSAP was implemented by largely through sector and project-based activities
with limited coordination for synergies and to avoid overlaps. For example, the integrated land
use assessment did not pay attention to collecting information on biodiversity components of the
plant species when it was very well placed to do so. This calls for a well-coordinated institutional
arrangement for the implementation of biodiversity actions to achieve cost effectiveness and
efficiency in conserving biodiversity.

c) The state of the biodiversity information base in Zambia has not improved much from the
1999 stock assessment that came up with the species and ecosystems lists and status and
therefore has very outdated baseline data for monitoring the status and trends of the biodiversity
components. This calls for long term investment in a well-coordinated and mainstreamed
biodiversity monitoring system. The Convention on Biological Diversity should rally behind and
support resource poor countries like Zambia in setting up and institutionalizing such systems as
opposed to piecemeal support at times of reviewing global data on biodiversity or meeting global
agendas that come up time and again.

d) Zambia is a huge country endowed with natural resources in which biodiversity is embedded.
Taking into account the resource base the country has to share between human development
activities and conservation activities, the need for a rationalization of the protected areas system
remains imperative. There is need to revisit the reclassification efforts as the previous efforts did
not fully meet the original objective for rationalization of the Zambian Protected Areas network,
especially in the forest sector. A rationalized network has better chances for conservation and
monitoring.

e) Biodiversity components have intricate relationships to livelihoods and national economic

development. Therefore, conservation efforts need to take into consideration how biodiversity
conservation can contribute to livelihoods while at the same time developing mechanisms for
communities and other stakeholders (including the private sector) who benefit from the
environmental services and goods to also contribute to its conservation. This should be at the
core of conservation efforts in Zambia.

45
ANNEX 1: INFORMATION CONCERNING REPORTING PARTY AND PROCESS IN
THE PREPARATION OF THE NATIONAL REPORT

A. Reporting Party

Contracting Party ZAMBIA

NATIONAL FOCAL POINT

Ministry of of Lands, Natural Resources and Envirionmental

Full name of the institution
Protection

Mr. Ephraim Mwepya Shitima, A/Chief Natural Resources

Name and title of contact officer
Management Officer

Mailing address P.O. Box 50964, Lusaka 10101, Zambia

Telephone +260-211-252589

Fax +260-211-252589

E-mail [email protected], [email protected]

CONTACT OFFICER FOR NATIONAL REPORT (IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE)

Full name of the institution Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environemntal Protection

Name and title of contact officer Barnaby Bwalya Mulenga, Permanent Secretary

Mailing address P.O. Box 50694, Lusaka 10101, Zambia

Telephone Telephone: +260-211-252-228/252-323/252320

Fax Tele-Fax: +260-211-250-120

E-mail [email protected]

SUBMISSION

Signature of officer responsible for

submitting national report

Date of submission 30th June 2015

46
B. Process of preparation of national report
The preparation of the report followed a participatory and consultative approach. The
Ministry closely collaborated with other stakeholders through a Consultant who worked
with a selected core team. Emphasis was placed on stakeholder consultation and
involvement in the process of developing the national report to harness the knowledge and
expertise in the sector. The methodology to prepare the report involved:

a) Literature Review: This involved reviewing all relevant documents related to the
implementation of the Convention and included the Sixth National Development Plan
(SNDP) as revised in R-SNDP, National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
(NBSAP), National Policy on Environment (NPE), Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
(MA) Report, sector policy documents, case studies and project progress reports.

b) Field Work: The aim of this process was to get the information from the stakeholders
and determine the situation in the field with regard to the implementation of the CBD.
The field work process included visitng selected regiona and project sites.

47
 ANNEX 2: CRITICAL MAMMAL SPECIES IN ZAMBIA AND THEIR STATUS

Conservation Status
Common Name Scientific Name Zambian IUCN Criteria
Criteria
Pangolin Manis temminick Rare Threatened
Aardwolf Proteles cristatus Rare Threatened
Aardvark Orycteropus afer Rare Rare
African Elephant Loxodonta africana Endangered Endangered
Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis Endangered Critically
Endangered
White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum Endangered Endangered
Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis Threatened Threatened
Springhare Pedetes capensis Vulnerable Vulnerable
Blue Monkey Cercopithecus mitis Rare Vulnerable
Wild dog Lycaon pictus Endangered Endangered
Hyena Crocuta crocuta Vulnerable Vulnerable
Serval cat Leptairulus serval Vulnerable Vulnerable
Caracal Caracal caracal Vulnerable Vulnerable
Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus Endangered Endangered
Leopard Panthera pardus Vulnerable Vulnerable
Lion Panthera leo Vulnerable Vulnerable
Sitatunga Tragelaphus strepsiceros Vulnerable Vulnerable
Eland Tragelaphus oryx Vulnerable Vulnerable
Blue duiker Cephalophus monticola Rare Vulnerable
Yellow-backed duiker Cephalophus silvicutor Threatened Threatened
Puku Kobus vardoni Threatened Threatened
Red Lechwe Kobus leche leche Threatened Threatened
Roan antelope Hippotragus equinus Threatened Threatened
Sable antelope Hippotragus niger Vulnerable Vulnerable

48
ANNEX 3: CULTIVATED CROPS AND THEIR WILD RELATIVES AND
OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION IN ZAMBIA

Crop Crop Wild Relative Occurrence/Distribution

1. Amaranth Amaranthus spp. Country wide
2. Cleome Cleome spp Country wide
3. Sweet potato Ipomoea spp. Country wide
4. Cucumber Cucumis ficifolius Northern Province
5. Cucumber Cucumis hirsutus. Kasama, Malole, Kitwe
6. Cucumber Cucumis zeyheri Mazabuka
7. Legenaria Legenariabreviflora Northern &Luapula Provinces
8. Legenaria Legenariasphaerica Luapula, Northern, Eastern &
Southern provinces
9. Viciafaba Viciapaucifolia C/belt, northern, Lusaka &
southern provinces
10. Cowpea Unguiculata (L) Wasp var.
spontanea Chama
11. Cowpea Unguiculata (L) Wasp subsp.
Dekindtiana Chipata, Lusaka, Mongu&Monze
Prevalent in Northern, Central
12. Livingstone potato Plectranthus spp. and C/belt provinces
Lukulu&Shangombo
13. Hibiscus sp. Hibiscus acetosella
Barotse flood plains, Kafue
Oryza barthii National Park &Namwala
14. Rice
Mporokoso& Mweru-wa-Ntipa
Oryza brachyantha
15. Rice
Chipata, Kaoma, Kasama, Kafue,
Oryza longistaminata Kawambwa& Mansa
16. Rice Northern
Oryza punctata
17. Rice

49
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