Tourism in Botswana in the Last 50 Years: a Review ∗ Gaolathe Tsheboeng, Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana
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Botswana Notes and Records, Volume 49, 2017 The Population Structure of Riparian Tree Species in the Okavango Delta, Botswana: 50 Years of Independence and Conservation Gaolathe Tsheboeng∗, Michael Murray-Hudson§ and Keotshepile Kashe♣ Abstract Riparian woodlands in the Okavango Delta play a significant role of removing salts from surface water through transpiration. This function renders surface water healthy to drink by wildlife and the people. Despite their ecological importance, very little is known about the population structure distribution of these woodlands. We attempted to address this limitation by investigating the population structure of selected riparian tree species in the Okavango Delta. Riparian woodland plots were surveyed between February 2012 and April 2013 by recording plant species in 120 plots (20m × 50m) selected randomly at each study site. The most dominant tree species were selected for assessment. Circumference (>15cm) was measured for all individuals in a plot. Individuals of different plant species were categorized into diameter at breast height (dbh) classes of 0-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, 50-60, 60-70 and >70cm. Linear regression was used to infer recruitment status of each species. All the species showed stable population structures except for Combretum imberbe and Philenoptera violacea. Croton megalobotrys showed an inverted J-shaped population size class distribution pattern with more individuals in the lower dbh classes. Diospyros mespiliformis had a U- shaped size class distribution pattern with more individuals in the lower and higher dbh classes and few in the middle dbh classes. Syzygium cordatum showed a bell shaped dbh size class distribution pattern with more individuals in the middle classes. Kigelia africana, Philenoptera violacea, Garcinia livingstonei and Acacia nigrescens showed irregular population structures with some dbh classes missing. Combretum imberbe showed a J shaped population size class distribution pattern. The population structures in different tree species may result from the hydrological factors acting on the germination and subsequent growth stages. These results suggest that there is need to protect the seedlings of C. imberbe and P. violacea in exclosures to promote their recruitment into large size classes. Keywords: Recruitment, riparian woodland, vegetation dynamics, wetlands Introduction Riparian plant communities are found in distinct zones along elevation (Nilsson & Svedmark 2002), groundwater and flooding frequency gradients (Kalliola & Puhakka 1988). They have high habitat heterogeneity and are rich in biodiversity (Naiman et al. 2005). This makes them important in the hydrological cycle, water budget, soil moisture content (Chihanga et al. 2004) and provision of human and wildlife habitats, food and cleansing of surface water (Schulz & Leininger 1990; Reddy & Gale 1994). Recent studies show that the soil in the riparian zone serves as a filter for groundwater as it removes pollutants in the form of acids, heavy metals and pesticides (Keestra et al. 2012). In the Okavango Delta riparian vegetation plays a significant role of removing salts from surface water through the process of transpiration (McCarthy et al. 1994). This riparian tree transpiration results in a net Special Issue on Environment, Tourism and Contemporary Socio-economicaccumulation Issues in the of Okavango solutes and Delta salts and in other deep Ecosystems layers of groundwater where they do not mix with surface water (McCarthy et al. 1994). Consequently, this renders surface water suitable for consumption by both animals and humans (Bauer 2004). Despite their importance, riparian Tourism in Botswana in the Last 50 Years: A Review ∗ Gaolathe Tsheboeng, Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana. Email: [email protected] § Michael Murray-Hudson, Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana. Email: [email protected] Lesego S. Stone*, Moren T. Stone§ and Joseph E. Mbaiwa ♣Keotshephile Kashe, Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana. Email: [email protected] Botswana Notes and Records, Volume 49, 2017 45 Abstract UsingThe Population the concepts Structure of ecotourismof Riparian T andree S sustainablepecies in the Okavangotourism, thisDelta, paper Botswana: reviews tourism development in50 BotswanaYears of Independence since the country’sand Conservation independence in 1966. Findings from this review indicate that the tourismGaolathe industryTsheboeng has∗, Michael facilitated Murray a- Hudsonnumber§ and of Keotshepileopportunities Kashe for♣ local communities and has contributed to the country’s economy. Tourism has stimulated the development of a variety of allied infrastructure and facilities, such as hotels, lodgesAbstract and camps, airport and airstrips. Through its backward linkages, wholesaleRiparian woodlands and retail in businessesthe Okavango have Delta also play been a significant established role toof offerremoving various salts goodsfrom to the tourist industry. Tarredsurface waterroads through and other transpiration. communication This function facilities renders have surface also water been healthy developed to drink inby Botswana. The tourism wildlife and the people. Despite their ecological importance, very little is known about the sectorpopulation has structure also facilitated distribution ofthe these creation woodlands. of employment, We attempted to local address economic this limitation development and poverty alleviation,by investigating and the contribution population structure to biodiversity of selected conservation riparian tree species efforts. in Thesethe Okavango were facilitated by measures thatDelta. have Riparian been wo putodland in placeplots weresuch surveyed as the adoptionbetween February of policies 2012 andand Aprilcommunity 2013 by participation models of developmentrecording plant speciesthat created in 120 plotsan enabling (20m × 50m) environment selected randomly for tourism at each studyto develop site. The and become one of the most dominant tree species were selected for assessment. Circumference (>15cm) was country’smeasured for main all individuals economic in adrivers. plot. Individuals On the ofother different hand, plant the species findings were categorized of this review reveal challenges thatinto diameterthe industry at breast continues height (dbh) to classes face ofsuch 0-10, as 10 the-20, enclave20-30, 30 -nature40, 40- 50,of 50tourism,-60, 60-70 lack of tourism product diversification,and >70cm. Linear communityregression was businesses used to infer misappropriationrecruitment status ofand each mismanagementspecies. All the of funds, and lack of relevantspecies showed community’s stable population marketing structures and exceptpromotional for Combretum tools. Policyimberbe implicationsand Philenoptera are also discussed. violacea. Croton megalobotrys showed an inverted J-shaped population size class distribution Keypattern words: with more Botswana, individuals sustainable in the lower tourism, dbh classes. ecotourism, Diospyros economic mespiliformis development had a U- shaped size class distribution pattern with more individuals in the lower and higher dbh classes and few in the middle dbh classes. Syzygium Introductioncordatum showed a bell shaped dbh size Contributingclass distribution 10% pattern to global with more GDP, individuals the Travel in &the Tourismmiddle classes. sector Kigeliacontributes africana significantly, to the global Philenoptera violacea, Garcinia livingstonei and Acacia nigrescens showed irregular economypopulation structuresand employment with some dbh(World classes Travel missing. and Combretum Tourism imberbeCouncilshowed 2015). a J Theshaped sector continues to grow fasterpopulation than size other class major distribution sectors pattern. suchThe as populationmanufacturing, structures transport, in different business tree species services and financial ser- vicesmay result and isfrom forecast the hydrological to continue factors growing acting at on 4% the annually germination (World and subsequent Economic growth Forum 2015). Globally, the tourismstages. These sector results also suggest contributes that there 9% is ofneed all to jobs protect (South the seedlings African of Tourism C. imberbe 2015),and P. approximately 266 mil- violacea in exclosures to promote their recruitment into large size classes. lionKeyw jobsords :in R ecruitment,2013 (World riparian Travel woodland, and Tourism vegetation Council dynamics, 2014). wetlands With continued global demand for travel, the sector continues to thrive and has proven to be important not only for economic development but also for creating jobs (World TravelIntroduction and Tourism Council 2014). 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