usaid/nambia environmental threats and opportunities assessment

Thus, streamflows in the northern perennial rivers, could experience a 10 – 15% increase in water
volume by 2050 – with floods becoming more frequent and of greater magnitude. In theory these
circumstances will favor riparian forests and the rich diversity of wetland species (Turpie et al. 2010).
However, an increase in river flows does not mean that riparian forest destruction will decline. In reality
this will continue to occur as populations in the NCAs expand. Furthermore, increasing river flows are
likely to result in more hydropower and irrigation schemes in Caprivi as well as the construction of flood
control measures that will have a highly detrimental impact on the floodplains, biodiversity, ecological
reserve and natural functioning of these river systems (NACSO 2010).
Other responses by forests to climate change include the decline in large trees found in westward flowing
ephemeral rivers (linear oases) due to lower water tables, increasing elephant damage, and increasing
upstream abstraction. In addition, there could be an increase in bush encroachment species in some
areas – in response to poor land management and higher concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide
(Turpie et al. 2010).
As people’s livelihoods become more threatened by difficult climatic conditions, rural poverty is likely to
increase and with it rates of deforestation and increasingly unsustainable harvesting of indigenous forest
products. Some commercially valuable INPs may benefit from climate change in Namibia (see box).
4. KEY OPPORTUNITIES
There is potentially great synergy between conservancies and community forests, but at the moment they
are proclaimed and governed under separate legislation, so that custodianship over trees is not granted to
conservancies, while custodianship over wildlife is not granted to community forests, even though the
areas invariably contain both. This situation should be urgently resolved so that rural communities can
benefit from all the natural resources that conservancies and community forests contain.
Establishment of the Namibia Woodlands Management Council and a system of “Honorary Foresters”
are seen as being potentially valuable in supporting the Directorate of Forestry’s capacity to manage
woodland and forest resources better.
There is a need to broaden perspectives on the value of woodland resources, especially in developing
more commercial values and recognizing indirect benefits. The more Namibia does to preserve forests
and woodlands, the greater its options in the future.
5. CONCLUSIONS
Namibia may not appear to be well endowed with forestry and woodland resources, yet this sector makes
a surprisingly large contribution to the country’s economic development through the value of wood,
food, and medicinal products.
Namibia should offer greater protection to forest and woodland habitats, promote the importance of
these habitats, and increase the benefits derived from them through community-based management and
commercial schemes.
Trees and woodland products should form an important part of Namibia’s adaptation strategy to future
climate change, especially as rangeland resources come under increasing pressure and ways to diversify
livelihoods are sought.
USAID/NAMIBIA ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES ASSESSMENT 75