A new study published in *Nature* reveals a significant decline in Africa’s biodiversity, with roughly a quarter of the continent’s animal and plant populations lost sence the pre-industrial era. The research, conducted by Stellenbosch University researchers and over 200 African experts, establishes a critical baseline for understanding ecological health across sub-Saharan Africa and underscores the urgent need for conservation strategies that address the realities of human-wildlife coexistence. The findings come as global biodiversity loss continues to accelerate,impacting ecosystem services vital to both human well-being and economic stability [[1]].
Africa’s biodiversity has declined significantly since the pre-industrial era, with roughly a quarter of the continent’s animal and plant populations lost, according to a new study published this week in the journal Nature. The findings highlight the urgent need for conservation efforts that extend beyond protected areas to encompass the landscapes where people live and work.
Researchers from Stellenbosch University in South Africa, working with over 200 African biodiversity experts, assessed the extent of biodiversity across sub-Saharan Africa. The team utilized the Biodiversity Intactness Index, which measures the current number of animal and plant species relative to levels observed around the year 1700. The study, published on December 3, 2025, provides a comprehensive baseline for understanding the continent’s ecological health.
The analysis revealed that the average Biodiversity Intactness Index for sub-Saharan Africa is 76%. This indicates that approximately 24% of the region’s original biodiversity has been lost. Large mammals, such as elephants, lions, and certain antelope species, have experienced declines of more than 75% in their populations.
However, the research also showed varying levels of impact across the continent. Some grasses and wildflowers, which are more adaptable to human activities like grazing and cultivation, have seen smaller declines, estimated at around 10%. Rwanda and Nigeria exhibited the lowest levels of biodiversity intactness, falling below 55%, while Namibia and Botswana fared comparatively better, maintaining approximately 85% of their original biodiversity.
The study emphasizes that expanding protected areas alone is insufficient to safeguard Africa’s wildlife. Approximately 84% of wild animal populations live outside of these designated zones. Effective conservation strategies must focus on sustainably managing the “lived-in landscapes” where agriculture and animal husbandry take place.
“Important information about African biodiversity is often held within the experience of people working on the ground, but it has been difficult to translate that into policy,” said Professor Hayley Clements of Stellenbosch University. “We aimed to convert this empirical knowledge into data.”
External expert Professor Taoffic Muraena of Texas State University praised the research for filling a critical information gap. “Sub-Saharan Africa has been underrepresented in global biodiversity mapping,” he said, adding that the study’s reproducible methodology is particularly significant. You can find more information about the study at doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-04007-2 and doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09781-7.
The findings underscore the complex interplay between human activity and wildlife conservation in Africa, and the need for integrated approaches to protect the continent’s rich natural heritage.
