Document Detail


Climate- and human-induced woody vegetation changes in Botswana and their implications for human adaptation.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12053244     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
For purposes of suggesting adaptive and policy options regarding the sustained use of forestry resources in Botswana, an analysis of the whole countrywide satellite data (showing the mean present distribution of vegetation in terms of species abundance and over all density) and the projection of vegetation cover changes using a simulation approach under different climatic scenarios were undertaken. The analysis revealed that changes in vegetation cover types due to human and natural causes have taken place since the first vegetation map was produced in 1971. In the southwest, the changes appear to be more towards an increasing prevalence of thorn trees; in the eastern part of the country where widespread bush encroachment is taking place, the higher population density suggests more human induced (agrarian-degradation) effects, while in the sparsely settled central Kalahari region, changes from tree savanna to shrubs may be indicative of the possible influence of climate with the associated effects of fires and local adaptations. Projection of future vegetation changes to about 2050 indicates degeneration of the major vegetation types due to the expected drying. Based on the projected changes in vegetation, current adaptive and policy arrangements are not adequate and as such a shift from the traditional adaptive approaches to community-based types is suggested. Defining forestry management units and adopting different management plans for the main vegetation stands that are found in Botswana are the major policy options.
Authors:
S Ringrose; A C Chipanshi; W Matheson; R Chanda; L Motoma; I Magole; A Jellema
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Environmental management     Volume:  30     ISSN:  0364-152X     ISO Abbreviation:  Environ Manage     Publication Date:  2002 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2002-06-07     Completed Date:  2002-07-23     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7703893     Medline TA:  Environ Manage     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  98-109     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre, Private Bag 285, Maun, Botswana. sringrose@orc.info.bw
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adaptation, Physiological*
Agriculture
Climate*
Conservation of Natural Resources*
Ecosystem
Environment
Forecasting
Forestry
Humans
Plants*
Policy Making
Population Dynamics

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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