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Remote sensing of bush encroachment on commercial cattle farms in semi-arid rangelands in Namibia

Author

Listed:
  • Matthias Schröter

    (Sustainability Economics Group, Department of Sustainability Sciences, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Germany)

  • Oliver Jakoby

    (Department of Ecological Modelling, UFZ – Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany)

  • Roland Olbrich

    (Sustainability Economics Group, Department of Sustainability Sciences, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Germany)

  • Marcus Eichhorn

    (Department of Ecological Modelling, UFZ – Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany)

  • Stefan Baumgärtner

    (Sustainability Economics Group, Department of Sustainability Sciences, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Germany)

Abstract

Bush encroachment is one of the most extensive changes in land cover in Namibia and an urgent problem for cattle farming, rapidly reducing the productivity of the rangeland. Despite the severity of these consequences, a complete and accurate assessment of bush encroached areas is still missing at large. This study aims at assessing bush encroachment on commercial cattle farms in central Namibia by employing remote sensing methods to distinguish between areas covered by bush and open rangeland. Herein we use different classification techniques and vegetation indices to characterize the nature of vegetation cover. Our analysis shows that results are sensitive to specific classifications of indices. As an accuracy assessment could not be run on these results we could not analyze which classification approximates real bush encroachment best. Hence, this study highlights the need for further analysis. Ground truth data, in the form of field mappings, high resolution aerial photographs or local expert knowledge are needed to gain further insights and produce reliable results.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthias Schröter & Oliver Jakoby & Roland Olbrich & Marcus Eichhorn & Stefan Baumgärtner, 2009. "Remote sensing of bush encroachment on commercial cattle farms in semi-arid rangelands in Namibia," Working Paper Series in Economics 131, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:lue:wpaper:131
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Roland Olbrich & Martin F. Quaas & Stefan Baumgärtner, 2009. "Sustainable use of ecosystem services under multiple risks – a survey of commercial cattle farmers in semi-arid rangelands in Namibia," Working Paper Series in Economics 137, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
    2. Nils Braakmann, 2009. "Other-regarding preferences, spousal disability and happiness: Evidence from German couples," Working Paper Series in Economics 130, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    remote sensing; semi-arid rangelands; cattle farming; bush encroachment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment
    • Q24 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Land

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