Key species

For a small country, Eswatini has a rich floral and faunal diversity. Of the over 3,500 plant species that have been recorded, 12 are endemic. 89 species of vertebrates and 305 species of plants are listed in National Red Lists. 813 species of vertebrates have been recorded, with just one endemic, the major rock gecko (Afroedura major).

Pressures and threats

The main pressures behind the country’s changing biodiversity include habitat loss and habitat change for increasing agriculture and for urbanisation and settlements, as well as wildfires, and invasive species. 80% of Eswatini is infested with at least one invasive plant species. Unsustainable harvesting of plant and animal species for medicinal purposes is a major threat to many species. Likewise, unsustainable harvesting of trees for charcoal production has had a major impact on habitat for many bird and mammal species.