The analysis of the impact of bush encroachment on groundwater recharge, based on a 9 years soil water data history in central Namibia, suggests that severe bush encroachment reduces the probability of groundwater recharge to approximately one third in comparison with non-encroached or bush thinned areas. Although the study had its methodological limitations, it provided strong empirical evidence that bush encroachment impacts negatively on soil water dynamics, affecting water infiltration, reducing soil moisture and groundwater recharge. In an arid to semi-arid environment like Namibia, this is a strong incentive for bush thinning of heavily encroached landscapes. It is thus recommended that more in-depth research into groundwater dynamics is conducted in combination with other studies such as an analysis of various tree species water consumption patterns in order to fully understand the complexity of groundwater dynamics. This research was undertaken by the Institute of Soil Science (Universität Hamburg, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability), funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research with assistance
from the Support to De-bushing Project (a bilateral cooperation between the Namibian and German Governments, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit [GIZ] GmbH in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry).