Communal lands in the Succulent Karoo Biome face combined pressures from climate change and overgrazing. Therefore, local farmers and pastoralists have been trained in rangeland restoration techniques and climate resilient livestock farming.

Nature-based Intervention:

Conservation South Africa (CSA) has worked with the Namakwa District Municipality to conserve, manage, and rehabilitate dryland rangelands in the Succulent Karoo Biome. This project worked to rehabilitate 25,000 hectares of communal rangeland and the nearby wetland that provides drinking water for livestock. The restoration activities included re-seeding, mulching with plant material and animal manure, micro-catchment management, and brush packing. Furthermore, they were trained in and encouraged to implement low-cost low-tech structures to combat soil erosion. Importantly, the farmers participated in the design of new grazing management systems to reduce over-grazing and land degradation as well as climate resilient livestock farming. Climate resilient livestock farming includes efforts to ensure the greater comfort and resilience of livestock including reducing heat, thermal, nutritional, and water stress.

Overview of context and outcomes:

This region is expected to become hotter, drier, and more prone to storms, floods, and droughts as a result of climate change. Households living in the area subject to the organisation’s intervention rely on livestock farming as one of their main livelihood options. Rangeland and wetland restoration are important efforts to support such climate resilient livestock farming.