https://hdl.handle.net/13049/7 2026-07-21T14:19:23Z https://hdl.handle.net/13049/815 Botswana National Ecosystem Assessment Technical Report, 2025 Hambira, Wame L.; Sianga, Keoikantse; Muposhi, Victor K.; Tselaesele, Motlapele N.; Matsika, Tiroyaone A.; Mosepele, Belda; Motsumi, Baikgantshi A.; Moalafhi, Ditiro B.; Monamati, Mokgadi; Seakanyeng, Lesego; Manga, Jobe; Motshwarakgole, Lechani; Disang, Oageng; Magaga, Obonye Mbise; Masilo, Kgomotso; Motsumi, Agang V.; Gaumakwe, Tshegofatso The Botswana National Ecosystem Assessment (BW-NEA) was undertaken by the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) as the Implementing Agency on behalf of the Government of Botswana through the Department of Environmental Protection in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. We acknowledge the Coordinating Lead Authors, Lead Authors, Contributing Authors, and Fellows for their scientific rigor, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustained commitment, which ensured the technical quality and policy relevance of the assessment. We extend deep appreciation to communities across Botswana, particularly traditional knowledge holders, for sharing insights on ecosystem dynamics, resource use and governance, cultural values, and historical change. These contributions were provided through consultations, community dialogues, and trialogue processes and were fundamental in grounding the assessment in local realities and livelihoods. They were undertaken in accordance with ethical principles and respect for knowledge sovereignty. The BW-NEA benefited from technical and capacity-building support provided through the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net). In this context, the United Nations Environment Program World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), as host of the NEA Initiative, provided methodological guidance and technical support aligned with international best practice, while the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), supported the integration of Traditional Knowledge using multiple evidence-based approaches. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is acknowledged for facilitating the science–policy–practice trialogue underpinning stakeholder engagement for the assessment. We further acknowledge independent reviewers from academia and international organisations, as well as national governance and validation structures, including the Traditional Knowledge Task Force, the Technical Reference Group, and the National Biodiversity Platform, for oversight and guidance. The National Biological Diversity Authority (NBDA) is acknowledged for quality assurance and alignment with national biodiversity conservation priorities. The BW-NEA was made possible through financial support from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) of the Federal Republic of Germany, through the International Climate Initiative (IKI). These contributions ensured that the BW-NEA provides a credible, inclusive, and policy-relevant evidence base for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Botswana. Technical report 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/13049/814 Botswana National Ecosystem Assessment Technical Report, 2026 Hambira, Wame L.; Muposhi, Victor K.; Sianga, Keoikantse; Tselaesele, Motlapele N.; Tshwene-Mauchaza, Boipelo; Chaves, Juanita; Karanja, Joseph The Botswana National Ecosystem Assessment (BW-NEA) provides the first comprehensive, evidence-based evaluation of the condition, trends and future trajectories of Botswana’s ecosystems, and the contributions they make to the wellbeing and livelihoods of local communities. The assessment strengthens the interface between science and policy by generating policy relevant knowledge to support national and global commitments to sustainable development, including Botswana Vision 2036, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Applying established Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) assessment methodologies, the BW-NEA combines ecological and socio-economic evidence, scenario modelling and spatial analyses to evaluate drivers of change and potential pathways for sustainable futures. The assessment weaves Traditional Knowledge systems with scientific knowledge through participatory community dialogues, ensuring that multiple knowledge systems inform decision making for the stewardship of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Six ecosystems were prioritised (Figure SPM1). 2026-03-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/13049/805 Long-term temporal patterns of human-carnivore conflict in the Chobe Enclave, northern Botswana Neo-Mahupeleng, Gosiame; Fynn, Richard; Motsholapheko, Moseki Ronald; Makondo, Matshelo; Nkile, Kaelo; Dipheko, Reneilwe; Kerley, Graham I.H. In some areas, human and carnivore livelihoods overlap causing human-carnivore conflict (HCC), hence there is a need for carnivore conservation efforts. The decline of most large carnivore populations are linked to HCC, primarily due to the killing of carnivores by farmers to protect their livestock, which has consequences for socio-ecological system’s integrity and resilience. To secure conservation of large carnivores, HCC must be effectively mitigated based on empirical understanding. However, in developing countries such as Botswana, HCC management is most often based on lessons learnt elsewhere. The aim of this study was to identify the most important problem carnivores, analyse temporal patterns and evaluate possible environmental correlates of HCC in the Chobe Enclave based on long-term data collected by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. The proximity of human settlements and protected conservation areas that contain a high diversity of wildlife makes HCC inevitable in the Chobe Enclave. The most important problem carnivores, in diminishing order, were lion, leopard and spotted hyaena, collectively contributing 97.96% of the recorded 1 175 incidents. Other problem carnivores include wild dog, cheetah and jackals. The diversifying livestock base (e.g. emerging piggery and growing small stock) in the Chobe Enclave will likely expand HCC. Total HCC incidents and lion incidents demonstrated significant seasonality and increase over the 22 years. Leopard and spotted hyaena incidents depicted no seasonal difference but significant annual decline. None of the modelled possible correlates significantly explained patterns of HCC. Results of this study also corroborated the need for site specific understanding of HCC for its effective mitigation. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/13049/797 Woody Plant Encroachment as a Process of Landscape Change in Arid Rangelands: Effective Control Methods and Enhancing Herbaceous Species Richness: A Review Abdeta, Ayana Angassa; Sianga, Keoikantse; Mabula, Summer; Mojeremane, Witness This chapter addresses the process of bush encroachment and control measures for suppressing invasive woody plants to improve range productivity. Bush encroachment is a shift in the ecology of rangeland toward bushland with a decline in grass productivity. Bush encroachment modifies the ecological balance of the rangeland plant community causing a loss of biodiversity. Bush encroachment has been a global concern for several decades. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, reduced fire intensity, and seasonal changes are major drivers. Bush encroachment is a major threat to the world’s arid and semiarid rangelands, driving land degradation, economic losses, and food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. Conventional explanations for the cause of bush encroachment include changes in fire regimes, increased livestock grazing pressure, and climate variability. Generally, previous studies have shown that global rangelands have been increasingly affected by the proliferation of bush encroachment during the past five to six decades. Bush encroachment includes the invasion of indigenous woody plants and/or introduced alien invasive plants into arid and semiarid rangelands. Such ecosystem alteration considerably affects landscape structure, biodiversity, and the value of ecosystem services delivered from rangelands. Hence, control measures are critical management issues for sustainability and conservation of biodiversity. 2025-12-25T00:00:00Z