An update of the Plant and Animal themes of the DFFE
EIA Screening Tool: What's new!

As a megadiverse country, South Africa continues to lead the way in environmental governance by establishing a unified system for identifying environmental risks. By combining spatial screening, automated report generation, and legally binding protocols, this system guides prospective developers to identify potential impacts early in the EIA process. This proactive approach enables developers to identify and pivot toward less sensitive areas during the initial planning phases.

The process is driven by the National Web-based Environmental Screening Tool (hereafter referred to as the DFFE Screening Tool), which is a geographically based, web-enabled application. It allows applicants intending to apply for environmental authorisation—in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations 2014, as amended—to screen their proposed site for environmental sensitivity.

In the latest updated version (Version 4.1, 2026) of the DFFE Screening Tool and the Species Guidelines, it includes freshwater fishes and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) for the first time, linked to the Terrestrial and Aquatic Biodiversity Protocols, providing comprehensive data for all threatened and restricted species within these two taxonomic groups mapped at the sub-quaternary catchment level. The guidelines include explicit best-practice methodologies to optimise field surveys in these targeted aquatic areas.

Latest version of the Species Environmental Assessment Guideline Version 4.1 2026.

Specifically, for freshwater fishes (captured in the new Section 10.5 of Version 4.1), the tool includes 106 described species, alongside an additional 18 unique genetic lineages or Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) identified in literature that still require formal description. This section includes 26 formally described species assessed as Species of Conservation Concern (SCC), consisting of 5 Critically Endangered, 15 Endangered, and 6 Vulnerable species. Furthermore, 8 MOTUs have been integrated because their highly restricted ranges and distribution are well-documented in scientific literature, having been included in the 2016 and 2017 IUCN Red List assessments (comprising 1 Critically Endangered, 5 Endangered, and 1 Vulnerable taxon).

For Odonata, a new Section 10.7 (Freshwater invertebrates - Odonata) has been introduced, which also establishes a framework for future updates involving other freshwater invertebrate groups. The screening tool now incorporates 22 SCCs for Odonata, evenly split between 11 anisopterans (dragonflies) and 11 zygopterans (damselflies). The updated guidelines outline their basic habitat preferences, locality summaries, known threats, and optimal survey timeframes to ensure accurate field assessments, while providing additional information on another 20 SCCs not yet fully embedded in the screening tool.

Furthermore, Version 4.1 incorporates the latest 2025 Red List for plants along with refined species distribution models for the group. The tool now accounts for 4,474 flora SCCs, which includes:

• 63 Critically Endangered - Possibly Extinct taxa
• 533 Critically Endangered taxa
• 1,027 Endangered taxa
• 1,560 Vulnerable taxa
• 1,135 Rare taxa
• 156 Critically Rare taxa

A second update, planned for later in the year (2026), will further expand this representation by integrating the latest Red List data for birds, amphibians and mammals, alongside the inclusion of fairy shrimps (Anostraca) to bolster freshwater invertebrate coverage.

These recent updates for the freshwater taxonomic groups were made possible through the work of the SANBI SAIAB-led NRF FBIP REFRESH project, in collaboration with the Freshwater Research Centre (FRC). The finalisation and submission of the latest data layers were supported by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), a core partner with SANBI in maintaining and updating the animal and plant themes of the DFFE Screening Tool. The latest version of the tool went live on the 13th of April 2026 on the DFFE Screening Tool website. It is recommended that those who have generated reports of active projects need to rerun their assessment to ensure that they have the latest available information. Note that the sensitive species lists have also been updated.

Extract from the freshwater fish section of the guidelines discussing different sampling methods and the type of nets required for surveys. Prepared by Albert Chakona (SAIAB), Martine Jordaan (CapeNature), and Jeremy Shelton (FRC).

New dragonfly and damselfly section illustrating the different sampling methods and data processing of specimens. Prepared by Charl Deacon and Michael Samways (Stellenbosch University).

Resources:

• The latest updated version of the DFFE Screening Tool can be accessed here.
• The Species Environmental Assessment Guidelines Version 4.1 2026 can be accessed here.
• Background information on the development of this product and its process is available here.
• Other useful tools related to the EIA process are the Land Use Decision Support: Species of Conservation Concern Tool - LUDS TOOL.