Natural and human-induced environmental changes in the semi-arid distal reaches of Botswana's Okavango Delta

Abstract

This paper is based on a study in which oral interviews and historical information and multi-date satellite images and aerial photographs were used to investigate the role of natural and human factors in influencing the direction of environmental change in the semi-arid distal reaches of the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana. Covering a period of about 15 decades between 1849 and 2001, the major insight from this investigation is that though natural factors account for most of the changes that include increasing scarcities of surface water, localised dewatering of aquifers and persistent bush encroachment, human activities are also playing a significant role by accelerating naturally induced deterioration. With evidence pointing to limited prospects for natural reversal of these trends, the need to embrace coping and adaptive strategies that do not compromise long-term sustainable utilisation of resources in this semi-arid environment is an overdue prerequisite.