The chapter presents an ecological-economic analysis of pastoral systems in the form of an interdisciplinary study on livelihoods, landuse practices, and related environmental impacts. The study focuses on three different pastoral systems of the Namibian Nama Karoo that differ in terms of climate, and cultural and socio-economic backgrounds: (i) the northern and more humid farmlands of the Rehoboth area about 80 km south of the capital Windhoek, characterised by small farm sizes and private and multiple-ownership land tenure; (ii) the large private meat- and pelt-producing ranches in the arid southern Namibia in the vicinity of the city of Keetmanshoop; and (iii) the semi-commercial goat production system in the communal areas of the neighbouring Namaland. Research results from nine case studies constitute the basis for the analysis. After a brief description of the landuse and management history of each pastoral system, three subchapters summarise the investigation of important drivers of the landuse strategies and of the dynamics of each system in general. Related impacts on biodiversity are also reported, with a special focus on land degradation. The multi-faceted diversity, which characterises the Namibian Nama Karoo, was one of the most striking results. A major aspect is the diversity of tenure systems: the analysis reveals that no tenure system is a panacea and solutions for sustainable management should be sought within each social-ecological system as they consist of tightly coupled dynamics between the natural rangelands and the local social and economic systems. However, some general insights into the functioning of these systems were gained and are presented in an overall summary at the end of the chapter, which points out some implications for research with regard to the different pastoral systems in the Nama Karoo.