Rural livelihoods and household adaptation to extreme flooding in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Motsholapheko, Moseki R.; Kgathi, Donald L.; Vanderpost, Cornelis

doi:10.1016/j.pce.2011.08.004

Cited by 66 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…There is a total of 175,631 people living in the entire North-West District, which encompasses the entire Delta and other areas of Northwestern Botswana. As detailed in the next section, it is well established that many residents of the Okavango Delta depend upon a diversified set of natural resource-based livelihoods [31][32][33], and that many of these livelihoods depend upon the precipitation or flooding patterns of the Delta [34]. This paper reports on research conducted in May 2010 and from May to June 2011 in the northwest of Botswana in the Okavango Delta ( Figure 1).…”

Section: Case Study and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One study of five villages located throughout the Delta found that households participate in an average of three livelihood activities [33]. One agricultural practice in the region is molapo (floodplain) farming (Figure 2), which is a traditional form of agriculture dating back at least several hundred years and that takes advantage of the unique flooding dynamics of the Delta [37].…”

Section: Livelihoods In the Okavango Deltamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Livestock husbandry is practiced throughout the Okavango Delta. Motsholapheko et al [33] found that livestock husbandry was the most common livelihood practice in four of the villages. Another study in five different villages of the Okavango Delta (including Etsha 6, one of the study Livestock husbandry is practiced throughout the Okavango Delta.…”

Section: Livelihoods In the Okavango Deltamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another study in five different villages of the Okavango Delta (including Etsha 6, one of the study Livestock husbandry is practiced throughout the Okavango Delta. Motsholapheko et al [33] found that livestock husbandry was the most common livelihood practice in four of the villages.…”

Section: Livelihoods In the Okavango Deltamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In one study, some households complained that increased flooding led to less pasture for their cattle when grazing areas were submerged in water for long periods of time [33]. Another study found that 33% of residents in 22 villages surveyed use the Delta to water their livestock [34].…”

Section: Livelihoods In the Okavango Deltamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fluid Waters and Rigid Livelihoods in the Okavango Delta of Botswana

King

Shinn

Crews

et al. 2016

Land

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Current and future impacts of climate change include increasing variability in a number of biophysical processes, such as temperature, precipitation, and flooding. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has suggested that Southern Africa is particularly vulnerable to the anticipated impacts from global climate change and that social and ecological systems in the region will be disrupted and likely transformed in future decades. This article engages with current research within geography and cognate disciplines on the possibilities for responsive livelihoods within socio-ecological systems experiencing biophysical change. The paper draws from an ongoing research project that is evaluating perceptions of environmental change, specifically of precipitation and flooding dynamics, in order to understand social responses. We report on the findings from qualitative interviewing conducted in 2010 and 2011 in the communities of Etsha 1, Etsha 6, and Etsha 13 within the Okavango Delta of Botswana. While flooding and precipitation patterns have been dynamic and spatially differentiated, some livelihood systems have proven rigid in their capacity to enable adaptive responses. We assert this demonstrates the need for detailed research on livelihood dynamics to support adjustments to biophysical variability within socio-ecological systems experiencing change.

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Section: Case Study and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Livelihoods In the Okavango Deltamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Livelihoods In the Okavango Deltamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Livelihoods In the Okavango Deltamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Livelihoods In the Okavango Deltamentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Fluid Waters and Rigid Livelihoods in the Okavango Delta of Botswana

King

Shinn

Crews

et al. 2016

Land

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Understanding farmers' reasons behind mitigation decisions is key in supporting their coexistence with wildlife

et al. 2022

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Access to Water Resources and Household Vulnerability to Malaria in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Motsholapheko¹,

Ngwenya²

2020

African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation

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Malaria is a persistent health risk for most rural communities in tropical wetlands of developing countries, particularly in the advent of climate change. This chapter assesses household access to water resources, livelihood assets, and vulnerability to malaria in the Okavango Delta of north-western Botswana. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 355 households, key informant interviews, PRA-based focus group discussions (FDGs), interviews with experts in various related fields, PRA workshop participant interviews, and literature review. There was high access to natural capital, and most households engaged in nature-based livelihood activities. Access to resources determined type of livelihood activities that households engaged in. However, there was no association between household exposure and/or susceptibility, and type of livelihood activities pursued by households. Household vulnerability to malaria was higher in remote and rural locations than in urban neighborhoods. Malaria prevention and vulnerability aversion programs need to be coupled with improvements in housing and well-being in the Okavango Delta and similar wetlands.

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Rural livelihoods and household adaptation to extreme flooding in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Cited by 66 publications

References 18 publications

Fluid Waters and Rigid Livelihoods in the Okavango Delta of Botswana

Fluid Waters and Rigid Livelihoods in the Okavango Delta of Botswana

Understanding farmers' reasons behind mitigation decisions is key in supporting their coexistence with wildlife

Access to Water Resources and Household Vulnerability to Malaria in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

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