Use of Landsat Thematic Mapper Data to Assess Seasonal Rangeland Changes in the Southeast Kalahari, Botswana

Ringrose, Susan; Musisi-Nkambwe, S.; Coleman, Tommy L.; Nellis, Duane; Bussing, Charles E.

doi:10.1007/s002679900173

Cited by 18 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Ben-Shahar 1998;Frost et al 1985;Parker & Witkowski 1999;Ringrose & Matheson 1991;Skarpe 1991;Tothill & Mott 1985;Verlinden 1998 andreferences in Huntley &Walker 1982;Walker 1985;White 2000). Remote sensing techniques are commonly used for regional studies (Palmer & van Rooyen 1998;Ringrose et al 1999aRingrose et al , 2000.…”

Section: Patterns Of Vegetation Structure Within the Kalahari Sand Sheetmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends in savanna structure and composition along an aridity gradient in the Kalahari

Scholes¹,

Dowty

Caylor

et al. 2002

J Vegetation Science

161

133

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Abstract. The Kalahari sand sheet occupies 2.5 million ha in southern Africa. It is an area with relatively similar deep aeolian soils, and a strong south to north gradient in rainfall, from 200 to 1000 mm mean annual precipitation (MAP) in the region studied. This provides an excellent basis for gradient studies at the subcontinental scale. This paper briefly reviews the literature on the vegetation of the Kalahari and describes the vegetation structure and composition at 11 new sites. There is a clear gradient in woody plant biomass (as indexed by basal area) from south to north. Above the minimum level of 200 mm MAP, the woody basal area increases at a rate of ca. 2.5 m2.ha‐1 per 100 mm MAP. Mean maximum tree height also increases along the gradient, reaching 20 m at ca. 800 mm MAP. The number of species to contribute > 95% of the woody basal area increases from one at 200 mm to 16 at 1000 mm MAP. Members of the Mimosaceae (mainly Acacia) dominate the tree layer up to 400 mm MAP. They are replaced by either the Combretaceae (Combretum or Terminalia) or Colophospermum mopane of the Caesalpinaceae between 400 and 600 mm MAP, and by other representatives of the Caesalpinaceae above 600 mm MAP. The vegetation is largely deciduous up to 1000 mm MAP, except for species that apparently have access to groundwater, which may be locally dominant above about 600 mm MAP.

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Section: Patterns Of Vegetation Structure Within the Kalahari Sand Sheetmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends in savanna structure and composition along an aridity gradient in the Kalahari

Scholes¹,

Dowty

Caylor

et al. 2002

J Vegetation Science

161

133

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“…Scientific techniques such as satellite remote sensing (e.g. Ringrose et al, 1999), ecological assessment (e.g. Perkins and Thomas, 1993), the measurement of soil properties (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Land degradation assessment in Southern Africa: integrating local and scientific knowledge bases

2006

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Recent attempts to address land degradation have seen calls for greater integration of scientific expertise with local knowledges. In this paper we investigate the potential for such combined understandings to enhance the accuracy, coverage and relevance of land degradation assessment. We followed a participatory approach, using methods from a variety of disciplines, to elicit potential land degradation indicators from communities in Botswana and Swaziland. These indicators were then assessed according to local and scientific understandings. We noted a significant overlap between scientific and local knowledges about land degradation in most instances. Where discrepancies occurred, the integrated participatory approach we used allows appropriate explanation to be reached, supporting the case that such an iterative process can lead to both accurate and relevant monitoring of land degradation. However, the incorporation of integrated knowledges into national policy has not been widespread in either country, suggesting that much greater efforts are required to institutionalise participatory land degradation assessment methodologies. Powerful, often neo-Malthusian narratives of degradation continue to dominate policy discourse and limit the extent to which hybrid combined local and scientific knowledges can enhance land degradation assessment on a national and regional scale.

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“…Vegetative responses, including the southward migration of the main vegetation belts have been predicted using the BIOME model (Leemans in Hulme, 1996;Chipanshi & Ringrose, 2001). Global change studies in Botswana have indicated that most measurable change in the south-central Kalahari occurs in the form of localized bush encroachment (Ringrose et al, 1996(Ringrose et al, , 1999a, most likely in response to human induced disturbances (cf. Campbell & Stafford Smith, 2000) although regional change is also apparent (Vanderpost et al, 1998;Skarpe, 1990).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetation cover trends along the Botswana Kalahari transect

Ringrose

Matheson²,

Wolski

et al. 2003

Journal of Arid Environments

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Use of Landsat Thematic Mapper Data to Assess Seasonal Rangeland Changes in the Southeast Kalahari, Botswana

Cited by 18 publications

References 18 publications

Trends in savanna structure and composition along an aridity gradient in the Kalahari

Trends in savanna structure and composition along an aridity gradient in the Kalahari

Land degradation assessment in Southern Africa: integrating local and scientific knowledge bases

Vegetation cover trends along the Botswana Kalahari transect

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