Bush encroachment has increased significantly in Namibia and the scale is alarming. It is estimated that more than 30 million hectares (30 per cent) of farmland are affected by bush thickening. The environmental impact is serious and agricultural production continues to decline. Bush encroachment potentially affects multiple ecosystems and land uses in Namibia, both in communal and commercial areas. Bush encroachment has negative impacts on some of Namibia's key ecosystem services, such as livestock production, groundwater recharge and tourism, as well as biodiversity. While the concerns about agricultural productivity are well recognised, the impacts on other ecosystem services are less considered but just as important.