Geospatial Sciences & Technology

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Description and ecology of Schinziophyton rautanenii (Schinz) Radcl.-Sm. in Namibia.
(Namibian Scientific Society., 2002) Graz, F. P.
The Manketti, Mangongo or Mangetti, Schinziophyton rautanenii (Schinz) Radcl.-Sm is an indigenous tree in Namibia, the fruit of which are of significant socio-economic value. The tree occurs in what appears to be even aged groves on deep sand, as part of the dry savanna woodlands. Natural regeneration in the woodland areas seems to be scarce, although some success has been achieved by planting truncheons.
Description and ecology of Schinziophyton rautanenii (Schinz) Radcl.-Sm. in Namibia
(NUST, 2002-02) Graz, F.P
The Manketti, Mangongo or Mangetti, Schinziophyton rautanenii (Schinz) Radcl.-Sm is an indigenous tree in Namibia, the fruit of which are of significant socio-economic value. The tree occurs in what appears to be even aged groves on deep sand, as part of the dry savanna woodlands. Natural regeneration in the woodland areas seems to be scarce, although some success has been achieved by planting truncheons.
Fire damage to Schinziophyton rautanenii (Schinz) trees in north-eastern Namibia.
(Namibian Scientific Society., 2003) Graz, F. P.
The nuts of the Mangetti, Schinziophyton rautanenii, are an important food source for a number of rural communities. The environment in which the tree grows, however, is subject to frequent burning. A number of trees have been seen with a characteristic inverted U-shaped fire lesion on the base of the trunk. A collapsed trunk as well as a vertical scar in the same tree showed that heavy branches or a second trunk may collapse under their own weight, thus providing a point for fire entry.
Fire damage to Schinziophyton rautanenii (Schinz) trees in north-eastern Namibia.
(NUST, 2003-05) Graz, F.P.
The nuts of the Mangetti, Schinziophyton rautanenii, are an important food source for a number of rural communities. The environment in which the tree grows, however, is subject to frequent burning. A number of trees have been seen with a characteristic inverted U-shaped fire lesion on the base of the trunk. A collapsed trunk as well as a vertical scar in the same tree showed that heavy branches or a second trunk may collapse under their own weight, thus providing a point for fire entry.
The Cost of Land Registration: a Case Study of Cost Efficiency in Namibia.
(International Institute of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), Enschede, Netherlands, 2003-06) De Vries, W.T.; Georgiadou, P.Y (Yola).; Lewis, J.
In the light of the global discussion on reducing public and private expenditure on cadastral processes and services, this article reviews the transaction costs of land registration, based on data gathered in Namibia. The data show a large differentiation in the types of costs incurred in the process, as well as various levels of cost recovery. In addition, the degree to which delays in the operational registration processes influence the total cost to land developers and landowners is reviewed.
Spatial diversity of dry savanna woodlands: Assessing the spatial diversity of a dry savanna woodland stand in northern Namibia using neighbourhood-based measures.
(Kluwer Academic Publishers., 2004) Graz, F.P.
The dry woodland savannas of Namibia are of significant socio-economic importance. The paper tests the suitability of a number of diversity indicators developed for species poor systems in Europe in the woodland context. The indicators that were tested included the species significant mingling index, MSp, the measure of surround and the uniform angle index. The simple application of the methods permit relatively unschooled crews to conduct an enumeration in the field. The results show that the indicators do not only display current diversity status, but also reflect the ecological context of the individual species.
Application of a total station in savanna vegetation surveys.
(Namibian Scientific Society., 2004) Graz, F. P.
The article describes the methods used to obtain data with the use of a total station. The advantage of the proposed method is the ease with which data for investigation of spatial relationships between plants and topographical features may be obtained. In addition to location, the total station can be used to assess some plant parameters such as plant height, crown spread, trunk size and others.
Description and ecology of pterocarpus angolensis in Namibia.
(Namibian Scientific Society., 2004) Graz, F. P.
The tree Pterocarpus angolensis is an important component of the dry woodland savanna of northern Namibia. Its timber provides the basic resource for much of the carvings in Namibia. Unfortunately little management, particularly regeneration, has been implemented in the country and current exploitation practices amount to mining of the species.
Spatial diversity of dry savanna woodlands: Assessing the spatial diversity of a dry savanna woodland stand in northern Namibia using neighbourhood-based measures.
(Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2004) Graz, F. P.
The dry woodland savannas of Namibia are of significant socio-economic importance. The paper tests the suitability of a number of diversity indicators developed for species poor systems in Europe in the woodland context. The indicators that were tested included the species significant mingling index, MSp, the measure of surround and the uniform angle index. The simple application of the methods permit relatively unschooled crews to conduct an enumeration in the field. The results show that the indicators do not only display current diversity status, but also reflect the ecological context of the individual species.
Description and ecology of pterocarpus angolensis in Namibia.
(NUST, 2004-05) Graz, F.P.
The tree Pterocarpus angolensis is an important component of the dry woodland savanna of northern Namibia. Its timber provides the basic resource for much of the carvings in Namibia. Unfortunately little management, particularly regeneration, has been implemented in the country and current exploitation practices amount to mining of the species.
Application of a total station in savanna vegetation surveys.
(NUST, 2004-05) Graz, F.P.
The article describes the methods used to obtain data with the use of a total station. The advantage of the proposed method is the ease with which data for investigation of spatial relationships between plants and topographical features may be obtained. In addition to location, the total station can be used to assess some plant parameters such as plant height, crown spread, trunk size and others
Are urban land tenure regulations in Namibia the solution or the problem?
(Taylor & Francis, 2009) De Vries, Walter; Lewis, Joe
Land tenure in Namibia is regulated by a variety of Acts, some of which date back to as far as 1937, and some of which are yet to be approved by Cabinet. This variety of Acts makes it difficult to evaluate the performance of land administration as a whole, and the appropriateness of coercive instruments with regards to urban land tenure in particular. In this article we evaluate how urban land tenure regularization practices are conducted in Namibia, and to compare new formal procedures, designed to address problems of efficiency and efficacy, to older existing procedures, supposedly not efficient or effective. This evaluation uses a theoretical framework of (Pritchett and Woolcock, 2004) , which deals with public service delivery and transaction-intensive services. Applying this framework for a comparative analysis of 5 different land subdivision practices – each relying on a different land-related act - we conclude that the degree of regulation and regularization is perhaps not so much a solution for urban land tenure problems but perhaps more of a problem in itself.
Assessing Namibia’s performance two decades after independence.
(2011) Christiansen, T.
This paper presents the results of a study which reviews Namibia’s performance over its two decades since independence. The study examines the achievements and shortcomings of the country in various fields: politics, civil society, economy, and social / socio-economic development. The results have been split into two separate but interconnected papers. This first article analyses Namibia’s situation at the dawn of independence, its external support by foreign countries and Namibia’s overall performance as compared to the neighbouring countries Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The present paper evaluates in particular data drawn from the World Bank Development Indicator Database and the 2010 Ibrahim-Index of African Governance. A subsequent second paper will present a more detailed appraisal of the above-mentioned development sectors
Assessing Namibia’s performance two decades after independence. Part 2: Sectoral Analysis.
(2011) Christiansen, T.
This paper presents the results of a study which reviews Namibia’s performance over its two decades since independence. The study examines the achievements and shortcomings of the country in various fields: politics, civil society, economy, and social / socio-economic development. The results have been split into two separate but interconnected papers. This first article analyses Namibia’s situation at the dawn of independence, its external support by foreign countries and Namibia’s overall performance as compared to the neighbouring countries Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The present paper evaluates in particular data drawn from the World Bank Development Indicator Database and the 2010 Ibrahim-Index of African Governance. A subsequent second paper will present a more detailed appraisal of the above-mentioned development sectors.
Remote sensing of forage nutrients: Combining ecological and spectral absorption feature data
(Elsevier, 2012) Knox, N.M.; Skidmore, A.K.; Prins, H.H.T.; Heitkönig, I.M.A.; Slotow, R.; van der Waal, C.; de Boer, W.F.
Forage quality in grassland-savanna ecosystems support high biomass of both wild ungulates and domestic livestock. Forage quality is however variable in both space and time. In this study findings from ecological and laboratory studies, focused on assessing forage quality, are combined to evaluate the feasibility of a remote sensing approach for predicting the spatial and temporal variations in forage quality. Spatially available ecological findings (ancillary data), and physically linked spectral data (absorption data) are evaluated in this study and combined to create models which predict forage quality (nitrogen, phosphorus and fibre concentrations) of grasses collected in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, and analysed in both dry and wet seasons. Models were developed using best subsets regression modelling. Ancillary data alone, could predict forage components, with a higher goodness of fit and predictive capability, than absorption data (Ancillary: R2 adj ¼ 0:42—0:74 compared with absorption: R2 adj ¼ 0:11—0:51, and lower RMSE values for each nutrient produced by the ancillary models). Plant species and soil classes were found to be ecological variables most frequently included in prediction models of ancillary data. Models in which both ancillary and absorption variables were included, had the highest predictive capabilities( R2adj ¼ 0:49—0:74 and lowest RMSE values) compared to models where data sources were derived from only one of the two groups. This research provides an important step in the process of creating biochemical models for mapping forage nutrients in savanna systems that can be generalised seasonally over large areas.
An Exploration of Participatory Mapping Approaches for Integrated Land Use Planning in the Hardap Region, Namibia.
(2013) Mundia, L.C.
The paper presents empirical findings on the potential value of participatory mapping for effective Integrated Land Use Plan (ILUP) by local communities in Hardap Region. It reflects on how future participatory approaches should be structured. The research applied a combination of approaches that include sketch mapping, photo-mapping and consultative meetings. Both positive and negative impacts of participatory mapping on ILUP were measured and local communities’ knowledge of participatory approaches objectively tested on the basis of this investigation’s findings. The research established that although participatory mapping is known to the experts in the fields of Geography, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Land Use Planning (LUP), it is still not well known to local land users whose knowledge of other participatory approaches that can support ILUP in Namibia is limited. Participatory maps that were produced by local communities in Hardap region suggest that local communities are willing to learn about participatory approaches and willing to share their knowledge on land use. Sketch and photo-maps - although not accurate and sometimes imprecise - were found to be satisfactory approaches to capture and document local knowledge. Local communities are motivated to improve their land use activities by the outcomes of their knowledge input in participatory mapping. Key recommendations include comprehensive participatory land use planning and better knowledge gathering from local communities. The paper presents results of participatory mapping and lessons learned from exploring participatory mapping.
An exploration of participatory mapping approaches for integrated land use planning in the Hardap Region, Namibia.
(NUST, 2013) Mundia, Lisho Christoh
The paper presents empirical findings on the potential value of participatory mapping for effective Integrated Land Use Plan (ILUP) by local communities in Hardap Region. It reflects on how future participatory approaches should be structured. The research applied a combination of approaches that include sketch mapping, photo-mapping and consultative meetings. Both positive and negative impacts of participatory mapping on ILUP were measured and local communities’ knowledge of participatory approaches objectively tested on the basis of this investigation’s findings. The research established that although participatory mapping is known to the experts in the fields of Geography, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Land Use Planning (LUP), it is still not well known to local land users whose knowledge of other participatory approaches that can support ILUP in Namibia is limited. Participatory maps that were produced by local communities in Hardap region suggest that local communities are willing to learn about participatory approaches and willing to share their knowledge on land use. Sketch and photo-maps - although not accurate and sometimes imprecise - were found to be satisfactory approaches to capture and document local knowledge. Local communities are motivated to improve their land use activities by the outcomes of their knowledge input in participatory mapping. Key recommendations include comprehensive participatory land use planning and better knowledge gathering from local communities. The paper presents results of participatory mapping and lessons learned from exploring participatory mapping.
Law Reform for Improved Delivery of Land to the Urban Poor
(Ministry of Justice Law Reform and Development Commission, 2017) Zongwe, D.P.; Dausab, Y.
The current formal land tenure system in Namibia is unable to effectively deal with the huge backlog in formalization of informal settlements, most of which are in the rural areas of Namibia. The system is considered too slow and expensive for this purpose, and is also perceived as only benefiting the rich, while being inaccessible and too expensive for the poor. The proposed Flexible Land Tenure System (FLTS) aims to resolve this problem by implementing cheaper forms of land tenure, and bringing cadastral services closer to the poor. The system offers security of title, but the titles have significant limitations compared to freehold. It is questionable whether the FLTS will significantly accelerate the delivery of land to the poor, and whether it will indeed achieve the aims of a pro-poor land tenure system. It might in fact burden the poor with an inferior land tenure system, thereby becoming an obstacle rather than an instrument for poverty reduction and economic development. The formal land tenure system, on the other hand, is in urgent need of reform. The development of the new Urban and Regional Planning Bill, Deeds Registries Act, Flexible Land Tenure Regulations, and the current review of land survey related regulations, present an opportunity to address this issue. The development of these acts and regulations should be approached in a holistic manner aimed at improving land delivery and administration in general, with specific focus on the needs of the urban poor. The aim should be to make the system accessible and beneficial to all classes of society, thereby eliminating the need for a parallel system for the poor.
Potential use of 3D-derived products generated from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery for monitoring forest degradation and woodland structure changes in the Namibian dry woodlands
(Klaus Hess Publishers, 2018) Knox, N.; Strohbach, B.J.; De Cauwer, V.
Different remote sensing approaches (in terms of data and analysis) have been demonstrated to be efficient mechanisms for monitoring changes in woodland cover. The use of optical remote sensing in monitoring dry woodlands has proved challenging and resulted in underestimating the cover and distribution of open woodlands (Bastin et al., 2017). With the use of an integrated LiDAR and SAR approach, Mathieu et al. (2018) have demonstrated an effective means to assessing the distribution and fractional woody cover of savanna forests (including the dry woodlands of Namibia)
Woodland resources and management in southern Africa
(2018) De Cauwer, V.; Knox, N.M.; Kobue-Lekalake, R.; Lepetu, J.P.; Matenanga, O.; Naidoo, S.; Nott, A.; Parduhn, D.; Sichone, P.; Tshwenyane, S.; Yeboah, E.; Revermann, R.
The countries of southern Africa have an average forest cover of 32% with most forest situated in the tropics. These dry to moist forests are deciduous with a few evergreen species. The open canopy allows enough light to reach the ground to allow the development of a rich grass layer. Generally, these forests are referred to as woodlands. The article gives an overview of the Miombo, Baikiaea and Mopane woodlands of Angola, Zambia, Namibia, and Botswana and focuses on their composition, wood and non-wood resources. Plantation forestry is briefly discussed with most information from South Africa, which has the largest commercial forestry sector in the region. Threats to the southern African woodlands are highlighted, and the current status of woodland monitoring and management is summarised.

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