Namibia Desertification
Desertification is defined as the rapid depletion of plant life and the loss of topsoil at desert boundaries and in semiarid regions, usually caused by a combination of drought and the overexploitation of grasses and other vegetation by people. Bush Encroachment, deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, salination and deterioration of rangelands contribute to the desertification of Namibia.
Desertification is a symptom of Global Warming and it is causing many problems for Namibia. The process of desertification can be abated in Namibia by promoting a sustainable and equitable development of natural resources suited to Namibia's variable environment for the benefit of Namibians both present and future. There are several organizations whose sole purpose is to fight back against the desertification of the Namibiean landscape. One such organiztion is the NAPCOD, National Programme to Combat Desertification, which is part of the Namibian Governments Ministry of the Environment and Tourism. Thier goal is to create monitoring systems at national and local leveals and strengthen smaller community based organizations that are combating desertification. Please visit their WEBSITE to find out how you can help.
Our desertification portal aims to aid NAPCOD and similar organizatioins by providing information about these initiatives towards stopping the erosion of the Namibian landscape. This website keeps you up-to-date on the new information about ongoing activities in Namibia. We want to know the facts about what is hapening the loss of biodiversity due to the encroachment of the desert.
Please visit our RANGELAND page for information on sustainable rangeland management.
For more information on nature conservation in nambia, please look at the LINKS page for a list of other sites and organizations.
Desertification is a global problem, and a is directly correlated to global climate change. What are some of the reasons that it is happening in Namibia? This list comes from a report by NAPCOD.
Direct and indirect causes of desertification in Namibia include:
*too many people and livestock in one place for too long, contributing to overgrazing and deforestation;
*inappropriate provision of artificial water points;
*absentee farm management;
*inappropriate fencing in dry areas;
*rapidly increasing human population;
*lack of consideration for low and variable rainfall;
*international policies and economics;
*urban populations - directly and indirectly;
*social and socio-economic factors, especially poverty.