The Botswana National Ecosystem Assessment (BW-NEA) is a synthesis of existing knowledge on the status, trends, and threats affecting biodiversity and ecosystem services. It provides insights into the economic, social, cultural, and intrinsic value of ecosystems, thereby supporting informed decision-making in sustainable biodiversity and ecosystem services utilisation and governance.
The assessment applied the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) methodologies adapted to the country’s unique ecological and policy context. The process involved a scoping exercise that defined key policy questions guiding the assessment. A multidisciplinary team of experts comprising conservationists, social scientists, climate specialists, modellers and spatial analysts was constituted to conduct the assessment using secondary data from existing studies and datasets. Author teams constituted Coordinating Lead Authors and Lead Authors from the Implementing Agency (BUAN), Contributing Authors from various government departments, and research fellows drawn from BUAN graduate students and the Youth Dialogue. Author teams were capacitated on NEA writing styles, including writing for impact and determination of confidence terms. As part of capacity building and knowledge sharing, the assessment team members participated in Global NEA Initiative workshops and webinars organised by BES-Net consortium partners.
