Vegetation degradation in Namibia

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Periodical article

Title:	Vegetation degradation in Namibia
Author:	Strohbach, Ben
Year:	2001
Periodical:	Journal - Namibia Scientific Society (ISSN 1018-7677)
Volume:	49
Pages:	127-156
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs., ills.
Geographic terms:	Namibia Southern Africa
Subjects:	environment soil fertility deforestation Environment, Ecology Vegetation environmental degradation biodiversity desertification land use
Abstract:	Worldwide there is much concern about desertification and the conservation of biological diversity. In the Namibian constitution a pararaph is included relating to the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources (Article 95(1)). 'Deforestation' and 'bush encroachment' are the two most mentioned environmental problems facing the communal and commercial farming sectors. Little is known about the processes of degradation. This paper gives some examples of vegetation degradation in Namibia. In the northern Oshikoto region, degradation is the result of general overexploitation of natural resources: overgrazing as well as deforestation. In the central parts of the country, with commercial cattle farming as main agricultural practice, overgrazing leads to a reduction of the grass cover and an increase in woody plants ('bush encroachment') but also to increased erosion. Based on these examples, the need for long-term monitoring projects is discussed. Bibliogr., notes, sum. in English and German. [Journal abstract]