Assessment of the macroeconomic benefits of de-bushing in Namibia
Does de-bushing pay off for Namibia? This question can be discussed on the basis of a detailed assessment of the costs of bush control and potential benefits. Bush encroachment has negative impacts on some of Namibia's key ecosystem services, such as livestock production, groundwater recharge, tourism, as well as biodiversity. Impacts vary depending on the immediate environment (e.g. rainfall, types of soil, vegetation), how the land is used (e.g. cattle farming, tourism), and how many people depend on the land. De-bushing can benefit these ecosystem services and can offer economic opportunities through the utilisation of woody biomass for charcoal and firewood production, electricity generation, and other means. At the same time, de-bushing would entail costs in the form of de-bushing operations, additional emissions from livestock, and loss of soil organic carbon.
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GIZ-Policy Brief on Bush thinning benefits 2016.pdf | 323.51 KB |