ABSTRACT. In most fishing societies, the division of labor seems in one respect sharp: ‘work ashore may be left to the women, or shared, but work at sea is reserved for the men’. Gender is a socio-cultural construct used to understand disparities in power and social positions as a function of biological differences. The fisherwoman reflects on the importance of women’s roles in the critical circuits of subsistence fisheries, while the fisherman admits his dominant patriarchal view of society. The gendered construction of roles is crucial to understanding how subsistence fisheries function and the social reproduction of seasonal subsistence fishers in the flood-prone Ohangwena region. Women’s role in these flood-dependent fisheries has been widely ignored. Considering women’s dominant roles postharvest, the long-held notion that ‘fisheries are a male domain’ can be challenged. For the balanced, equitable, and sustainable development of the subsistence fisheries sector and a better understanding of how the sector functions, the roles of women during flood fisheries and the different kinds of fish species are herein discussed.

ABSTRACT. Parasitological research on freshwater fish in Namibia is limited. To address this gap, a survey was conducted at Hardap Dam from 2016 to 2024. Hardap Dam (24°29′58″S, 17°51′31″E) forms part of the Fish River System and has a surface area of 25 km2 with a 40 m high dam wall forming the largest reservoir in Namibia. This dam is of strategic importance because of the size and location in Hardap Nature Reserve. The Namibia Fish River System joins the Orange River in South Africa and thus any changes in this system may affect aquatic ecosystem health of South Africa. Seven fish species were examined for parasites: Clarias gariepinus (n=35), Cyprinus carpio (n=51), Enterominus paludinosus (n=92), Labeo capensis (n=11), Labeo umbratus (n=71), Labeobarbus kimberlyensis (n=91), and Oreochromis mossambicus (n=46). Standard methods were used to examine fish, and to collect, fix and preserve parasites. Numerous ecto- and endoparasites were recorded from these fish species including trichodinids, monogeneans, digenean larvae, adult and larval cestodes, adult and larval nematodes and copepods. High prevalence and mean intensity levels were recorded for Lernaea sp. from some of the fish species. Focal inflammation and hemorrhage occurred at the attachment site of these imbedded copepods, resulting in ulcerated lesions. These lesions may lead to secondary infections and have detrimental effects on the health of the host. Several lernaeids, commonly known as anchor worms, have been described with Lernaea cyprinacea being invasive and reported worldwide. A high prevalence was recorded for Ligula sp. from the body cavity of E. paludinosus with atrophy of gonads observed for several specimens. The gonadal suppression caused by this plerocercoid larva is of concern. Contracaecum larvae were recorded for some fish species with high intensity levels reported from C. gariepinus. The high mean intensity levels of these parasites, as well as the pathology caused, are of concern and needs to be monitored. Freshwater parasites has significant impact on biodiversity by affecting the health and survival of their hosts, which in turn affects the structure and dynamics of the fish communities. Understanding this relationship provides a basis to manage freshwater fisheries resource.

ABSTRACT. Marine line fishery is an important livelihood activity in Namibia. Despite this, parasitological data have been lacking in several fisheries studies, even though valuable information can be derived from host–parasite studies in terms of parasite ecology, fish distribution ranges, migration patterns, habitat changes, and the overall health of the aquatic environment. In this study, four common linefish species were examined for parasites: Dusky Kob (Argyrosomus coronus), Silver Kob (Argyrosomus inodorus), Westcoast Steenbras (Lithognathus aureti), and Galjoen (Dichistius capensis). The main objective was to identify the parasites of these species along the Namibian coastline using an integrative taxonomy approach and to investigate aspects of host–parasite ecology. Standard methods were employed to examine the fish and to collect, fix, and preserve parasites. A diverse range of ecto- and endoparasites was recorded, including monogeneans, adult and larval digeneans, cestodes, nematodes, and copepods. Parasite species were identified and classified based on morphological features. Future molecular work is planned to confirm species-level identification and to resolve potential cryptic diversity. These findings contribute to the baseline knowledge of marine fish parasites in Namibia and highlight their potential as bioindicators for monitoring fish health and environmental conditions.

ABSTRACT. Marine macroalgal farms, particularly those of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera, offer significant potential for blue carbon sequestration in coastal ecosystems. The project objectives are: (1) to quantify organic carbon stock and burial rates using Pb-210 dating and total carbon analysis; (2) to determine organic carbon sources through stable isotope analysis (δ¹³C); and (3) to assess sediment biodiversity using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding targeting algae and eukaryotes. A total of 164 samples from 10 cores were processed. Laboratory analyses were conducted at KAUST, including carbon and isotope measurements, Pb-210 geochronology (supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency), and eDNA extraction followed by next-generation sequencing. Preliminary results demonstrate high spatial variability in carbon storage. MC2015-26010 was identified as the strongest carbon sink with the highest median and widest range of burial rates. In contrast, the MC-2016_23010 cores (A and B) consistently showed the lowest carbon burial and stock values. Carbon stock hotspots, including Geochem 5, MC2015-25020, and MC2016_26090, stored 2.7–3.6 Mg C ha⁻¹, revealing more than a six-fold difference across sites. A slight positive trend in carbon burial rates with sediment depth was observed, likely influenced by compaction, historical productivity changes, or reduced remineralization. These burial patterns closely align with carbon stock results. This research addresses important knowledge gaps in blue carbon science within the Southern African region. By integrating geochemical, isotopic, and molecular approaches, the study evaluates the role of farmed giant kelp in enhancing carbon sequestration and supporting biodiversity. Findings will contribute to climate mitigation strategies and sustainable aquaculture policy development in Namibia and comparable upwelling systems.

ABSTRACT. African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) are freshwater-associated mammals that may alter their behaviour in response to increasing human activity. This study investigated changes in the diel activity patterns of African clawless otters across a gradient of human disturbance in the Zambezi River Basin. The study was conducted across 18 sampling areas, consisting of six low-, six moderate- and six high-disturbance areas, during wet and dry seasons. Otter occurrence and activity data were obtained using a combination of primary field observations and secondary photographic records from iNaturalist within the same 18 sampling areas. Human activity data were used to characterize the disturbance gradient. Otter and human detection times were analysed to determine differences in otter activity patterns and temporal overlap along the disturbance gradient.

Results showed that otter detections were highest in low-disturbance areas and decreased as disturbance increased. The proportion of nocturnal otter activity increased from approximately 30% in low-disturbance areas to 50% in moderate-disturbance areas and 65% in high-disturbance areas. Temporal overlap between otter and human activity also decreased from approximately Δ = 0.62 in low-disturbance areas to Δ = 0.48 in moderate-disturbance areas and Δ = 0.34 in high-disturbance areas. These patterns suggest that African clawless otters may shift their activity towards nighttime periods in areas experiencing greater human disturbance, potentially reducing temporal encounters with humans. The study demonstrates the usefulness of integrating primary field observations with iNaturalist photographic records to investigate behavioural responses to human disturbance and provides information that may contribute to the conservation and management of African clawless otters in the Zambezi River Basin. The findings provide a preliminary framework for understanding behavioural flexibility in otters inhabiting human-influenced freshwater environments and may guide future monitoring and conservation efforts.

ABSTRACT. The study examined the integration of arts education into mathematics and language at the University of Namibia, Rundu Campus. The study was motivated by the observations that disciplines such as Mathematics, Arts, Environmental Education, Namibian Language, and English are often taught in isolation by different lecturers, with limited meaningful connections across these subjects. Recognising arts education as a foundation for fostering creativity, cognitive development, aesthetic appreciation, and lifelong learning, the study sought to elevate the quality and status of visual arts practices including drawing, pattern-making, engraving, printing, and collage within broader teaching contexts. A qualitative case study design was employed, involving a purposive sample of twelve student-teachers, i.e, four junior primary, four senior primary and four secondary phase student-teachers. Implied that six females and six males’ participants. Data were collected through focus group interviews and document analysis that examined how art-based approaches are embedded across these subject areas. Findings revealed that integrating arts education promotes active learning, enhances conceptual understanding, and supports holistic student development. The document analysed were engaging and meaningful and fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Additionally, challenges such as limited resources, poor integration of arts certain disciplines and insufficient interdisciplinary collaboration were identified. The study concluded that arts integration significantly enriches teaching practice and learning outcomes across the subjects. The study recommends an increase in institutional support, particularly through professional development for lecturers, to enable effective implementation of cross-curricular approaches.

ABSTRACT. The research was trigged seeing diverse fishing techniques methods applied by Veekuhane people in catching fish for livelihood. The study used Ladson-Billing (1995) Toward a Theory of Cultural Relevant Pedagogy coupled with case-study designed. The essence was how adults passed the instructional strategies and knowledge to their children’s in becoming lifelong learners and critical thinkers to alleviate poverty in the future. The study involved 15 participants, 8 females and 7 males. The research instrument employed were semi-interview study guide, observation check-list sheets and document analysis study guide. The data obtained from research tools were transcribed and coded for the purpose of cross checking of ideas emerged themes, patterns and triangulated. The revealed findings were weaved artefacts used to catch are kanyandi (Fishing net), ituwa (Purse seining); mushoono (long fish funnel; ishiňgo (scoop-seine baskets or draw basket with a vertical handle); moono (fishing funnel with inlet-valved traps); ingunde ( push or slam fishing basket); chivanga (fish corral trap or fence with kraal); kawangu (scoop basket or net); itumba (cylindrical-shaped) fishing basket; chiandi (fishing fence). They also used muso (spear without scales); mulinga (spear with scales), vuta (bow and arrow), kushuta (hook and line or longline); kushundunda (fishing using tied grasses). Sometimes, mayaza (hand-gathering) and kuyuvamezi (pool fishing). These artisanal artefacts are mathematical-shaped and eco-friendly in use. The fisherfolk stated the felt sense of stewardship and ownership of their maziva (swamps); tundongonyana (ponds); mumilonga (depressions), inatukowa (lagoons) and muziko (tributaries). It is their way of livelihood and making money.

ABSTRACT. Governance systems of natural resources provide information on the underlying values promoted by societies. Zambia’s national parks exhibit a diversity of wildlife. Although all national parks in Zambia are governed by national laws and policies promulgated by Parliament, the management outcomes vary. This assertion is based on the fact that, significant differences exist in the levels of natural conservation and exploitation, as well as the state of the ecological balance developed within the national parks. Interestingly, it has been critically observed and purported in the literature on natural resource management vis-a-vis tourism development that, sustainable natural resource use requires a very appropriate and relevant contextual governance framework related to the a specific environmental ecological system. To that effect, this paper employed Arild Vatn’s (2015) Environmental Governance Systems Framework to examine Kafue and South Luangwa National parks. It adapted the framework by interpreting it as a logical process where each stage informs the next. Secondary data drawn from reports and research informed the outcomes evidenced in the national parks with regards to the resources used for tourism development. Surveys among 32 tourism businesses operating in the national parks highlighted insights on their actions and the factors associated with political actors and institutions influencing their performance. The paper contributes to Social-Ecological Systems research and management by demonstrating how a recently developed environmental governance systems framework can explain varied outcomes of resource use in tourism destinations which can result in tourism destination development or decline. It also provides a basis for further investigation of potential factors influencing actors, regimes, institutions in tourism development of national parks.The paper establishes associations, mechanisms, perceptions and plausible explanations, which lead to the advancement of a new concept that draws upon the EGS that reflects the Environmental Governance Tourism Performance Nexus.

ABSTRACT. Otters (subfamily Lutrinae) are important freshwater bioindicators, yet research in Africa remains fragmented across time, countries, themes, and taxa. This study presents a continent-wide systematic evidence map of African otter research, examining publication trends, thematic priorities, species representation, geographic coverage, and reported threats. Of 220 publications meeting broad inclusion criteria, 212 were sufficiently coded for quantitative synthesis, covering 1903– 2025. Research increased markedly from the 1990s onwards, with 72.64% of records published and 45.75% from 2010 onwards. Ecological studies dominated (49.53%), followed by baseline/descriptive (26.42%) and conservation-focused research (18.40%), whereas genetics, trade and disease together comprised only 5.66%. Research effort was taxonomically uneven: multiple-species studies represented 43.87% of records, while Aonyx capensis accounted for 60.5% of species-specific records, followed by Hydrictis maculicollis (23.5%), Aonyx congicus (8.4%) and Lutra lutra (7.6%). Spatially, South Africa and Tanzania together accounted for 61.04% of country-coded observations. Explicit threat information was present in only 44.34% of coded records, with habitat-related degradation dominating the reported pressures. Overall, African otter research has expanded substantially but remains uneven and insufficiently representative for continent-wide conservation planning. Future research should prioritize long-term monitoring, underrepresented regions, Aonyx congicus, genetics, disease, socio-ecological studies, and predictive conservation modeling.

ABSTRACT. Abstract Background: Declines in terrestrial mammal populations are often more pronounced in prey depleted areas, including war-stricken regions, where defaunation disrupts key ecological processes such as predation, with cascading effects on ecosystem functioning. In post-conflict Angola, carnivores in Bicuar National Park persist on a depleted prey base following severe declines of medium to large-bodied ungulate populations. Objectives: Assessed prey selection and consumption by spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), leopard (Panthera pardus), African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) and caracal (Caracal caracal) to test whether prey depletion reduces dietary niche breadth, limits prey selection, and promotes high dietary overlap. Methods/approach: The study used faecal DNA metabarcoding and camera trapping to estimate prey consumption and availability. Key findings: All carnivores predominantly preyed on a single small ungulate, the common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), which constituted 70-77% of consumption, with consistent positive selection across predators (Jacobs’ index (Di)>0.4). Larger carnivores also positively selected greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros; Di>0.2). Diets were simplified, with relatively low niche breadths that fell within the lower range reported across African ecosystems. Dietary overlap was high, reflecting convergence on a restricted prey base dominated by common duiker. Our findings provide a functional indicator of altered predator-prey dynamics and support restoration strategies aimed at recovering prey diversity and biomass to re-establish trophic interaction diversity, functional redundancy, and overall ecosystem resilience. Relevance to KAZA: Although Bicuar National Park lies outside the KAZA TFCA, prey depletion is a regional and global conservation challenge that also affects Angola’s KAZA protected areas, which have equally suffered severe wildlife declines during the civil war. It is likely to affect many other conservation areas across KAZA as well. Our findings thus offer a comparative case and functional indicators for assessing predator-prey integrity and setting prey-recovery targets in Angolan KAZA parks, supporting connectivity and resilience across the KAZA transboundary landscape.

ABSTRACT. Fire is an important ecological driver in savannas, but insect responses may vary with fire season, fire history, functional group, and time since burning. This study assessed the influence of seasonal burning on Coleoptera and Hymenoptera diversity, abundance, Hill diversity, trophic guilds, and community composition at the long-term Makambu Fire Experiment in Namibia. Twenty experimental plots representing Late Wet Season (LWS), Dry Season (DS), Late Dry Season (LDS), and an unburned control were sampled, with five replicate plots per treatment. Four pitfall traps were placed in each plot and operated for six nights, yielding 480 trap-nights. Sampling occurred in late July–early August 2022, approximately one month after DS burning, two to four months after LWS burning, and eight to ten months after LDS burning. Species richness, abundance, Hill diversity, and trophic-guild structure were compared among treatments, while community composition was assessed using ordination and PERMANOVA. A total of 1,904 individuals were analysed, comprising 967 Hymenoptera representing nine ant species and 937 Coleoptera representing 15 beetle species. Coleopteran richness, abundance, and Hill diversity did not differ significantly among treatments. However, detritivore and herbivore guild richness differed significantly (χ²₃ = 9.67, p = 0.0215), with greater richness in LDS than LWS (Dunn–Bonferroni, adjusted p = 0.0127). Hymenopteran richness, Hill diversity, and guild abundance showed no significant treatment differences. Community composition did not differ significantly among fire treatments for either taxon. Overall, seasonal burning was associated with limited differences in broad insect diversity measures, although Coleopteran functional-guild richness showed a specific response. These findings highlight the importance of considering functional groups and time since fire when interpreting seasonal fire effects on savanna insects.

ABSTRACT. The Kafue River illustrates how prolonged mining, industrialization, urban growth, agriculture, and river regulation can cause cumulative and persistent degradation in a major African river system. In this study, we synthesize work from the Kafue River system to demonstrate the nature, extent, and persistence of these pressures and to draw lessons for protecting the Zambezi River within and adjoining the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). The most severe impacts occur in the Copperbelt, where decades of copper-cobalt mining, tailings storage, and industrial discharges have enriched sediments with Cu, Co, Mn, and As, creating long-lived contaminant reservoirs that can be remobilized during floods and erosion. Recent studies also report metal accumulation and tissue alterations in fish downstream of mining areas, while the 2025 Sino-Metals tailings failure demonstrated how acute industrial accidents can intensify chronic contamination. Agricultural runoff, wastewater, urbanization, and hydrological alteration further contribute nutrients, suspended solids, pesticides, and oxygen-demanding wastes, thereby reducing ecological resilience. Importantly, low dissolved-metal concentrations reported in some main-channel surveys do not necessarily indicate ecosystem recovery, because sediments, tributaries, floodplains, and aquatic biota may continue to retain substantial contaminant loads. Several basin-scale investigations reinforce this interpretation by identifying metal enrichment and poorer macroinvertebrate condition in impacted reaches of the Kafue, while also highlighting the important filtering and buffering functions of wetlands and floodplains. In contrast, recent surveys of the Zambezi River within and adjoining the KAZA TFCA indicate a comparatively favourable environmental baseline that should be protected before a pollution legacy comparable to that of the Kafue develops. The central lesson for KAZA is therefore preventative and transboundary. Partner States, working with the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM), should establish harmonised water-, sediment-, and biota-quality objectives; permanent upstream-downstream sentinel monitoring; cumulative-impact assessment for mining, agriculture, and industry; independent tailings-risk audits and emergency-response systems; stronger wastewater, nutrient, and pesticide controls; and legal protection of wetlands and floodplains as natural pollution buffers. Shared data platforms, transparent reporting, financial assurance for remediation, and enforcement of the precautionary and polluter-pays principles are essential to safeguard the KAZA TFCA's ecological integrity, biodiversity, fisheries, tourism value, and regional water security.

ABSTRACT. Namibia's Benguela Current system provides substantial seaweed biomass that remains largely underutilised as an agricultural resource. Research at the University of Namibia (UNAM), particularly at the Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre, has investigated the potential of beach-cast seaweeds, including Laminaria pallida and Gracilariopsis funicularis, for sustainable agricultural applications. The research has progressed from nutrient characterisation and biochar production to vermicomposting and horticultural applications. Studies have evaluated seaweed biochar as an amendment in organic fertiliser and vermicomposting systems, using incorporation rates of 0–8%. More recent work investigated methods for reducing the high salt content of seaweed biomass. In G. funicularis, six-hour cold-water soaking reduced sodium concentration from 23.9 to 12.2 g kg⁻¹, while the resulting biochar contained 5.17% total nitrogen and 127 mg kg⁻¹ phosphorus. Further research has incorporated desalinated seaweed biochar into vermicompost and evaluated its potential as a growing-medium component for tomato production These findings demonstrate the potential of seaweed biomass to contribute to Namibia's circular blue - green economy by converting a coastal resource into value-added agricultural inputs. Continued research on processing, salinity management, crop responses, scalability and economic feasibility could support the development of locally produced seaweed-based soil amendments and growing media for sustainable agriculture in arid and coastal environments.

ABSTRACT. The African leopard (Panthera pardus) is among the most widespread and adaptable large felids in the world. In Namibia, leopards are widely distributed across the country, where they face a multitude of threats yet also contributing to the local economy through a regulated trophy hunting industry, which involves the archiving of specimens and morphometric measurements from visually identified hunted male individuals. We interrogated the scientific and management value of archived data by determining genetic diversity, population structure, and effective population size (Ne) while evaluating the geographical patterns (northern, central and southern Namibia) of cranial (skull width and length) and body (neck circumference, body length, weight, and shoulder height) traits. We purposively selected 89 skins genotyped at 13 microsatellites and assessed associated morphometric variables representing different regions countrywide. Skins were from the 2023 and 2024 hunting seasons. We found that females represented 30% of hunted individuals, moderate to high levels of allelic diversity and heterozygosity, low to moderate levels of genetic differentiation and inbreeding coefficients, signs of a bottleneck during the Holocene epoch (95% CI 100 to 2,500 years ago) and a medium Ne of 434 (95% CI 281 to 434). Similarly, we found no significant evidence of divergence in cranial and body variables among the three geographical clusters, although individuals of southern regions exhibited lower values for these traits. Key findings are that, in the event of continuous decline, the population’s evolutionary potential may be compromised and need to improve the mechanisms of sexing individuals. This study demonstrates the utility of archived specimens to inform wildlife management and in particular, trophy hunting policies.

ABSTRACT. ABSTRACT Environmental management involves instruments that promote sustainability. This research aims to analyze the environmental management instruments adopted by industries located at the Catumbela Industrial Development Hub in Benguela province. The study is qualitative and descriptive in nature, utilizing semi-structured interviews as the primary data collection method; these were conducted with the Head of Human Resources, the official responsible for authorizing and administratively overseeing the industries within the Hub. Content analysis allowed the information to be organized into five categories: environmental management instruments, monitoring and oversight, implementation challenges, and the role of the Industrial Hub. The results indicate that the adoption of environmental management instruments at the Catumbela Hub remains merely regulatory, limited to minimum compliance with environmental legislation. Limitations were observed regarding insufficient technical resources, a lack of corporate sustainability culture, and constraints in the institutional monitoring and oversight process. It is concluded that, despite progress made, environmental management instruments require greater technical and instructional capacity to become effective tools for sustainability. Recommendations include strengthening oversight, providing training for stakeholders, and fostering interaction between companies and regulatory bodies to facilitate the adoption of environmental management systems.

ABSTRACT. This study critically analyses and examines how cultural practices can be used to prevent crocodile human conflict, both fauna, in northern regions in Namibia. Sustaining these reptiles helps current and incoming generation. Thus, maintaining and sustaining harmony between humans and wildlife, crocodiles in this study is a principal goal for education for sustainable development. Like before, when there was harmonious coexistence of fauna and even flora communities’ cultural practices of harvesting the habitat of crocodiles were not bend to overharvesting. Communities had limits to leave some of these aquatic animal they harvest for food or economic gain for the crocodile to feed on. Also, they were aware and only few today are aware of the behaviour and nature of crocodiles. The practices of understanding of behavior and nature of crocodiles allowed community members to always remain harmony with the human eating reptiles. As a result, failure to embrace the mentioned cultural practices, crocodiles prey on humans today. This elevates the conflict as in each case when a crocodile prey on a human, human on the other hand follow and kill the reptile. This emerges as a result of distancing cultural and historical activity practices. So, with the aim to prevent crocodile human conflict this study brings the research question: How are cultural practices used to prevent crocodile human conflict in northern regions of Namibia? Responses in this qualitative study come from analysing cultural practices communities display when in crocodiles infested environments. Bringing observations and interviews also generated the needed data to answer the research question. Revelation is, in communities where the above mentioned practices are still embraced, the conflicts are not heard of.

ABSTRACT. The Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri as a globally Vulnerable species (IUCN Red List) is under-assessed and under-studied in the majority of its range states, other than in South Africa, where advances in nation-wide monitoring have been made. The Namibian population in the north-east links populations in Angola, Botswana, and Zambia, and as such is pivotal for continued gene flow between these range-states. The global population estimate is not available but estimates for Namibia and South Africa suggest 315 and 400 breeding groups respectively, amounting to populations of about 1 200 and 1 500 individuals respectively. The Southern Ground Hornbill is under threat from humans with the predominant threats identified as: poisoning, persecution, trade, electrocution, habitat loss, loss of large nest trees, and the effects of climate change. In Namibia, the species is highly threatened by loss of large trees for nesting and the effects of changing microclimate that affects the breeding. Due to increases in rates of loss of large nest trees and frequent fires, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has recognized the need for using artificial nests to increase and encourage breeding of the Southern Ground Hornbill bird through increasing the availability of suitable nest sites which then provides the species with a higher chance of survival during the hottest times of the breeding season. The nests also protect the birds and their eggs during veld fire outbreaks.

ABSTRACT. Irregular observation intervals in wildlife GPS telemetry can confound biological movement dynamics with sampling schedules when successive observations are treated as equivalent discrete-time transitions. This study presents a continuous-time Markov modelling framework, motivated by archived telemetry from the Greater Sossusvlei-Namib Landscape, Namibia. The dataset comprises 64,088 GPS fixes from 34 ungulates tracked between November 2013 and June 2018: 13 gemsbok (Oryx gazella), 15 Hartmann's mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) and six springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis). A preliminary audit revealed substantial variation in observation intervals. Gemsbok and mountain zebra fixes were concentrated around five- and eight-hour intervals, whereas 98.6% of springbok intervals were approximately eight hours. One zebra trajectory included a prolonged high-frequency sampling phase with numerous intervals shorter than one hour. These findings demonstrate that successive observations do not represent a uniform temporal unit. The proposed evaluation compares naive discrete-time transition estimates, a standardised 24-hour discrete-time model and a continuous-time multi-state model fitted to the original irregular observations. In the continuous-time framework, transition probabilities are calculated as P(Δt) = exp(QΔt), where Q denotes the transition-intensity matrix and Δt the elapsed observation time. Animal-level resampling, leave-one-animal-out validation and simulations calibrated to the empirical data are planned to assess uncertainty, predictive performance and sampling-related bias. The audit establishes the need to account explicitly for elapsed time in wildlife state-transition analyses. The proposed framework offers a reproducible approach for evaluating transitions among ecologically defined states, although comparative model performance and biological conclusions remain to be established through model fitting and validation.

ABSTRACT. Fire is a dominant ecological process across the savanna woodlands of the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), influencing ecosystem structure, biodiversity, carbon dynamics, and the provision of ecosystem services. Understanding the long-term relationship between fire regimes and woodland condition is therefore critical for sustainable ecosystem management in this globally significant conservation landscape. This study assessed the effects of fire frequency on woodland structure in Baikiaea-dominated woodlands of northern Botswana using permanent sample plot (PSP) data collected in 1991 and 2023 within Chobe Forest Reserves in the KAZA region. A Fire Frequency Index (FFI) derived from historical fire records was used to evaluate relationships between fire history and changes in tree basal area (BA), a reliable proxy for woody biomass. Results showed a substantial increase in mean plot basal area from 3.73 m² ha⁻¹ in 1991 to 5.63 m² ha⁻¹ in 2023. Fire frequency was a significant predictor of change in basal area, explaining 27% of observed variation, with infrequently burnt plots generally accumulating woody biomass while frequently burnt plots experienced biomass losses. The findings highlight fire regime management as a key ecosystem management intervention for maintaining and enhancing woodland structure, reducing degradation, and supporting climate resilience in semi-arid savanna systems. Given the ecological similarities that extend across much of the KAZA landscape, the results have broader relevance for transboundary fire management strategies aimed at improving ecosystem condition while generating co-benefits for carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and community livelihoods. The study provides empirical support for the development of incentivised savanna burning approaches and other landscape-scale fire management initiatives that promote sustainable woodland management throughout the KAZA region.

ABSTRACT. There is strong evidence that school learning facilities strongly affect how well learners perform in class. Good classrooms, working laboratories, updated libraries, and reliable technology help learners focus, stay engaged, and achieve higher grades, while poor or broken-down buildings lead to lower academic results. This research examined the correlation between the academic performance and learning facilities. In order to enhance comprehension of the correlation between the academic achievement of learners and the learning facilities, this article reviews the literature, bring in an analysis of global and African viewpoints concerning the school environment, and the academic performance of learners. The Systems Theory is used in this article. Most of these studies are situated under quantitative research approach. The findings shows that reading habits and performance are interconnected and mainly influenced by environmental factors. A supportive learning environment fosters a pleasurable reading environment and enhances academic performance, while unfavourable home and school circumstances are factors that contribute to learners' poor reading and academic performance. The correlation analysis revealed unexpected negative relationships between resource availability and academic performance, suggesting that the quality, relevance, and utilisation of resources may be more significant than their sheer presence. This finding underscores the need for targeted investments in resource quality, teacher capacity development, and contextually relevant instructional practices. Based on these results, the study suggests that educational institutions should prioritize not just the supply of materials such as textbooks and lab equipment, but also the successful integration of these materials into the curriculum through teacher preparation, syllabus alignment, and resource upkeep. Additionally, schools should put in place early detection methods for learners who are having difficulties and offer focused assistance.

ABSTRACT. Biological pest control by natural enemies is central to sustainable environment friendly agriculture. However, landscape simplification driven by intensive agriculture degrades essential habitats for ground - dwelling arthropods through the loss of structural complexity, connectivity, and non-crop refugia. Consequently, the abundance and effectiveness of pest control in crop fields by key predators, including beetles and spiders, are increasingly being compromised. To mitigate this decline and loss of ecological function, field margins are being promoted across agricultural lands in European countries. This study assessed the influence of epigeal predator activity densities and their spillover into crop fields across 20 agricultural landscapes in Saxony - Anhalt, central Germany under the AgriRestore project. Under this experiment, four field margins (hedges, wildflower strips, combined hedge - wildflower strips and control grassy margins) and adjacent cereal crop fields (along three spatial distances in 2 m edge, 12m interior, and 150 m field centre) were surveyed using pitfall trapping in June and July 2025. A total of 18,862 cumulative catches (9,998 carabids; 8,864 spiders), were modelled using generalized linear mixed model. Results showed carabid activity - density peaking next to field margin, hedge at the 12m interior and spider activity - density peaking at the 150 m field centre also next to the hedge habitat. Relative to conventional grassy margins, hedge enhanced spillover for both taxa, while hedge + wild flower strip seem to restrict spider movement into the crop field. Our findings suggest that hedges support predator spillover into crop field, underscoring the ecological benefits of strategically planning native woodland corridors, integrating agroforestry systems, and retaining woody field margins over clear felling across agricultural landscapes. Preferred presentation mode: Oral Presentation

ABSTRACT. Paulinus Ndumba Sindumba1, Eliakim Hamunyelah2, Rosemary Shikangalah3 University of Namibia, Namibia

The burn severity mapping in North East Namibia demonstrates uncertainties, data gaps, and spatio-temporal inconsistencies that impede fire regime profiling in this Savanna ecosystem. This study uses a 24-year time series and triangulation of MODIS indices with ground-based methods to map, profile, and validate burn severity. The analysis includes the period 2001 to 2024, investigating the spectral response of vegetation to fires in Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, and Ohangwena regions. Applying a quantitative non-experimental design to map severity, the study will employ several indices, including the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR), differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR), composite burn index (CBI), Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR), Relativized Burn Ratio (RBR), and Relativized dNBR (RdNBR). The MODIS Burned Area product (MCD64A1 Version 6.1; 500 m spatial resolution) and MODIS reflectance data (MOD09A1; 500 m) will be instrumental in binarizing burned areas and acquiring the indices using the near-infrared (NIR) and shortwave-infrared (SWIR) portions of the electromagnetic spectrum from pre- and post-fire images. The outcomes will determine and present the spatial and temporal contextual trends, patterns, and interannual burn severity dynamics, and profile burned areas by severity classes over Northeast Namibia. This will serve as a critical and one of the first studies to implement locally calibrated imagery-based burn severity mapping, which will provide significant data and information for fire regime management and decision-making.

Preferred Mode of Presentation: In person

ABSTRACT. Background: Higher education institutions in transboundary and transfrontier regions face persistent challenges in fostering meaningful cross-institutional collaboration, including geographic dispersion, limited resource sharing, and fragmented knowledge exchange among students and researchers. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-supported collaborative learning platforms offer a promising avenue to bridge these gaps by enabling real-time interaction, adaptive content delivery, and data-driven feedback across institutional and national boundaries. Objectives: This study investigates how AI-enhanced collaborative learning tools can strengthen cross-border academic partnerships among universities operating in shared transfrontier landscapes. It examines student and staff readiness for AI-supported collaboration, identifies key enablers and barriers, and proposes a framework for integrating AI into shared curricula and joint research initiatives. Methods/Approach: A mixed-methods design combining a structured survey of students and academic staff at NUST and partner institutions, semi-structured interviews with education technologists, and a review of existing AI-collaborative learning platforms will be employed. Thematic and descriptive statistical analyses will be used to interpret findings. Expected Contribution: The study anticipates identifying practical enablers (connectivity, digital literacy, institutional policy) and constraints affecting AI adoption for collaborative learning, and will propose a replicable, low-cost AI-supported collaboration model suited to resource-variable settings across cross-border university networks. Relevance: By strengthening AI-enabled academic collaboration among universities in shared transfrontier regions, this research supports the broader goal of building shared knowledge systems, human capital development, and sustainable cross-border cooperation in higher education. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Collaborative Learning; Cross-Border Education; Higher Education Partnerships; Digital Pedagogy; Transboundary Cooperation; Knowledge Sharing

ABSTRACT. Background: The Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) is a five-country area of mutual dependence of communities on natural resources and conservation and development interests. To achieve good management, it is necessary to have reliable environmental information that is made accessible to communities and institutions. However, there are financial, technical, and geographical limitations on conventional environmental monitoring. Citizen science can serve as an opportunity to expand environmental monitoring by bringing local people into the data collection and interpretation process. Definitions derived from communities are effective in Africa where community members are provided with the necessary support and data quality is maintained. The objectives of this study are to create a framework for digital citizen science for communities in the KAZA landscape that allows them to be actively involved in environmental monitoring, and to incorporate local knowledge into research and decision-making processes. Methods: A participatory research design will be used, which will involve a literature review, stakeholder mapping, qualitative interviews, and co-design workshops. It will discuss issues of appropriate tools, participation mechanisms, and data-quality protocols, as well as ethical issues and approaches to incorporating community-generated information with institutional monitoring systems. Anticipated contribution: The research will suggest a feasible plan to enhance environmental monitoring coverage, timeliness, and local relevance. Special focus will be on digital inclusion, data quality, community ownership, and dissemination of research results to the involved communities. KAZA relevance: The framework promotes co-production of knowledge, environmental responsibility and genuine community engagement in the common KAZA space.

ABSTRACT. Understanding human–otter interactions is essential for conservation planning in river systems supporting fishing livelihoods. This study examined factors associated with otter encounters, perceived benefits, reported problems and overall attitudes among 149 male respondents along the Zambezi, Chobe, Kavango and Kwando rivers in northern Namibia. Questionnaire data were analysed using bias-reduced multinomial logistic regression for encounter frequency, bias-reduced binary logistic regression for perceived benefits and reported problems, and ordinal logistic regression for overall attitudes. Core models adjusted for river system, age group and household size. Relative to Zambezi respondents, Chobe respondents had higher adjusted odds of perceiving benefits from otters (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–7.93; p = 0.020). Kwando respondents had lower adjusted odds of reporting otter-related problems (aOR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05–0.75; p = 0.016). However, neither association remained statistically significant following within-model Benjamini–Hochberg correction, indicating that these findings should be considered exploratory. Encounter-frequency models provided no statistically significant evidence of associations with river system, age group or household size. Similarly, none of these predictors was significantly associated with more positive overall attitudes towards otters. Sparse outcome categories and wide confidence intervals limited inferential precision. The results suggest potential spatial variation in perceived costs and benefits but provide insufficient evidence that the measured spatial and demographic characteristics explain overall attitudes. Conservation planning should integrate locally specific livelihood concerns with participatory engagement. Further research incorporating fishing effort, site-level conditions and validated conservation-attitude measures is needed to clarify the determinants of human–otter coexistence.

ABSTRACT. Assessing alternative financing mechanism for rural S.M.E evidence from Climate -Vulnerable Micro enteprises in Binga Zimbabwe. Nompilo Moyo ,Lecturer ,Department of Accounting and Finance,Lupane State University Lurriety Ndlovu,Lecturer ,Department of Business Management, Lupane State University

Small to Medium Enterprises in Binga encounter unique structural challenges when acquiring for growth and expansion of their entrepreneurial ventures. Binga is allocated along Zambezi River. and is characterized by a semi -arid climate. Binga economy survives on fishing, smallholder agriculture, ecotourism and livestock. Binga SMEs have limited access to commercial banking infrastructure hence their dependence is on alternative financing mechanisms such as Savings and credit cooperatives (SACCO), crowdfunding and non-governmental grants. This study examined the interplay between financing mechanisms and rural SMEs in a climate vulnerable environment and SMEs in Binga react to the alternative financing models. The study adopted a qualitative research approach grounded in interpretivism philosophy. Data was collected through structured questionnaires administered to Small to Medium Enterprises across selected trading sites in Binga , complemented by key informant interviews with Small to Medium Enterprises, representatives of cooperative associations, and policymakers. The data was subjected to thematic analysis to capture nuanced experiences and perceptions. The findings revealed that SME’ responses to financing mechanisms are influenced by multiple socio-economic, institutional, and contextual factors, trust in cooperative members, access to funding, collateral concerns and growth. While SMEs recognise the potential benefits of financing mechanism, such as SACCOs, others perceive funding from mechanisms as inefficient. The study further identified significant gaps between policy intentions and funding mechanisms, which contribute to the inefficiencies of these funding mechanisms. The research contributes to the growing body of knowledge as Binga is a climate vulnerable area with micro enterprises that need funding in order to achieve growth and sustenance. It recommends the adoption of participatory, inclusive, and context-sensitive financing strategies that balance regulatory framework and enterprise development. The study concludes that alternative financing mechanisms are more likely to be effective when policies are designed and implemented through collaborative engagement among government institutions, financial institutions , and the S.M.E sector .The preferred presentation format is oral.

ABSTRACT. Background: Climate change is increasingly threatening biodiversity, water resources and agricultural livelihoods across the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA). Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, floods and land degradation are reducing water availability, lowering crop productivity and degrading ecosystems. Smallholder farmers, who rely on rain-fed agriculture, are experiencing declining yields of staple crops such as maize, sorghum and millet, while increased human–wildlife interactions result in crop raiding by elephants, buffaloes and other wildlife. These challenges threaten food security, ecosystem services and sustainable development. International and regional frameworks, including the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2, 6, 13 and 15), the Ramsar Convention, the SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourses, and the KAZA Treaty (2011) provide a foundation for climate-resilient environmental management. Objectives: This study examines the impacts of climate change on water resources, crop production, biodiversity and rural livelihoods in KAZA and identifies strategies that strengthen environmental sustainability, climate resilience and agricultural productivity. Methods: A qualitative review of scientific literature, regional policies and case studies was conducted to assess climate risks, water governance and sustainable agricultural practices. The study also evaluates the application of robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in precision agriculture, automated environmental monitoring, smart irrigation, crop health assessment, pest detection and climate adaptation. Expected contribution: The study demonstrates that integrating robotics, AI and Indigenous Knowledge Systems can improve climate-smart agriculture through precision farming, efficient water use, early pest and disease detection, automated irrigation and data-driven decision-making. These technologies, combined with ecosystem restoration, sustainable land management and supportive policies, can enhance food security, conserve biodiversity and strengthen community resilience. The study recommends increased investment in AI-driven agricultural innovations, climate information services, capacity building and regional collaboration to accelerate sustainable development across KAZA. Relevance to KAZA: The study supports KAZA's objectives of climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, water security, biodiversity conservation and resilient livelihoods by promoting innovative, technology-driven and community-centred adaptation strategies.

ABSTRACT. Background: Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in southern Africa are promoted to advance biodiversity conservation, regional integration, and rural livelihoods sustainability. However, fiscal constraints and limited state capacity render many initiatives dependent on external donors and international organisations, raising critical questions about how foreign financing shapes governance and livelihoods within transboundary landscapes. Objectives: This study investigates how donor dependence influences governance arrangements, institutional autonomy, and livelihood outcomes in the KAZA TFCA, examining why these effects differ between Namibia and Zimbabwe. Methods: Using a comparative qualitative case study approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with conservation practitioners, policymakers, and community stakeholders across Namibia and Zimbabwe. Results: Donor dependence emerges as a central political-economic determinant of governance outcomes in KAZA. In Namibia, strong institutional capacity, community-based conservancies, and collaborative co-governance enhance donor confidence, allowing external finance to complement local objectives. Conversely, economic instability, geopolitical tensions, and resource shortages in Zimbabwe weaken institutional effectiveness, leaving conservation vulnerable to externally driven agendas. Across both cases, donor conditionalities prioritise global conservation targets over local development, constraining customary resource-use systems and exacerbating human-wildlife conflict. International restrictions on commercializing stockpiled ivory further limit locally generated revenues, perpetuating structural reliance on external funding. Resultantly, the comparative evidence indicates that long-term sustainability in KAZA depends on reducing reliance on project-based donor finance through diversified domestic funding mechanisms, strengthened community benefit-sharing institutions, and locally grounded ecosystem stewardship. Relevance to KAZA: We demonstrate how different national political economies alter transboundary funding flows and governance power dynamics. The research offers KAZA policymakers an empirical framework to transition from project-based grants toward self-sustaining domestic financing mechanisms, equitable community benefit-sharing models, and sustainable biodiversity conservation in transboundary contexts.

ABSTRACT. Transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) throughout southern Africa integrate biodiversity conservation and rural development. As the human population expands, habitat fragmentation and Land use and Land cover change (LULC) from agriculture, settlements, mining and infrastructure increasingly disrupt the spatiotemporal movement of elephants, fuelling the human-elephant conflict (HEC) and threatening long-term species survival. Despite the global and regional conservation significance, the Hwange-Sebungwe landscape faces a growing knowledge gap regarding functional elephant connectivity and the precise location of movement corridors. This 6-year study aimed to identify and map elephant corridors across the Hwange-Sebungwe Landscape, assess threats and opportunities, and recommend interventions that promote human-elephant coexistence, ecosystem integrity, and sustainable livelihoods. We applied advanced spatial analysis using GPS telemetry from 41 collared elephants (over 200,000 location fixes), high-resolution remote sensing data and predictive habitat suitability modelling (MaxEnt and Circuitscape). Results revealed a complex network of more than ten primary corridors linking national parks, forest reserves, communal lands, and communal conservancies. Key ecological nodes, such as Chizarira National Park, were identified as central to maintaining landscape-scale connectivity. Crop fields, particularly in communal areas, emerged as major conflict hotspots, accounting for 30% of movement influence. Seasonal variations, sex-based movement patterns, and land-use types significantly (p < 0.05) influenced elephant movement dynamics, with males travelling longer distances during the wet season (634km; 542km) and exhibiting lower turning angles (66.4°; 69.4°) compared to females. Through circuit-based connectivity analysis and stakeholder consultation, twelve primary elephant movement corridors were delineated reflecting both historical and currently utilized pathways critical for maintaining ecological connectivity and population-level gene flow. These findings offer robust evidence for targeted corridor restoration, integrated land-use planning and multi-stakeholder governance interventions. By illuminating the spatial complexity of elephant movements and associated threats, this study provides actionable guidance for balancing conservation and human livelihoods in conservation landscapes.

ABSTRACT. Sub-theme: 3, One Health and Environmental Health (secondary: 2, Human-Wildlife Coexistence)

Background: Dog-mediated rabies is endemic in Namibia's Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) and, together with anthrax, is one of the two priority zoonoses identified for the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA). A 2021 cross-sectional survey of 3,726 households across the eight NCA regions characterised dog demography and rabies knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP). It found a human/dog ratio of 5.4:1, at least 272,000 dogs of which 93 per cent were owned but free-roaming, and a pronounced west-to-east gradient in self-reported dog bite incidence, from 262 per 100,000 people in Kunene to 1,369 per 100,000 in the Zambezi Region. No assessed variable explained this gradient. The authors hypothesised that hunting with dogs and a more extensive wildlife interface alter dog behaviour and bite risk. The three highest-incidence regions, Zambezi, Kavango East and Kavango West, all lie within KAZA.

Objectives: To characterise dog demography, vaccination coverage, bite incidence and rabies KAP specifically for the Namibian KAZA regions, and to test whether available proxies for the wildlife-livestock interface are associated with elevated bite risk.

Methods: Secondary analysis of the 2021 dataset, which was anchored on 194 crush pens with mobile data capture. KAZA and non-KAZA regions are compared on human/dog ratio, confinement, vaccination status, dog bite incidence and KAP scores using multivariable logistic regression, with spatial covariates on protected areas, wildlife distribution and human-wildlife conflict supplied by MEFT.

Expected contribution: A quantified, KAZA-specific profile of dog ecology, vaccination coverage and bite risk, and identification of the household and landscape factors associated with the gradient. Analysis and results will be presented upon study completion.

Relevance to KAZA: The first KAZA-focused characterisation of dog populations and rabies-related behaviour in Namibia, informing transboundary control planning with Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Preferred presentation mode: Oral

ABSTRACT. Globally, human-leopard conflict (HLC) is a significant source of mortality for African leopards (Panthera pardus). Several methods have been implemented to manage HLC with minimal success. The study assessed the movement patterns of a Global Positioning System-collared female leopard over a continuous nine (9) months period. An African leopard that was involved in HLC incidents and was captured from a communal area in Hurungwe (part of KAZA area) and translocated as a mitigation measure to Mana Pools National Park, northern Zimbabwe. Movement data were collected remotely using a GPS collar fitted to the leopard during capture and immobilisation. GPS locations were arranged chronologically and mapped to show the lion’s movement trajectory. Weekly space use was estimated using 50% and 95% kernel density distributions, while movements were grouped into daytime and nigh time periods for descriptive comparison. The study reveals that in 48 hours, the leopard was moving and tracking back to communal areas where it was captured. In three weeks, the leopard had managed to track back to the communal areas. The leopard had varying day and night movements and this could have been influenced by anthropogenic activities from the southern park boundary. Movements exceeding 2 km were more frequent at night, and the upper range extended beyond 5 km. Over five weeks, the leopard had travelled over 200 km. The study reveals that capture and translocation cannot give a lasting solution to HLC as carnivores have a high tendency of tracking back where they could have been captured. Capture and translocation, improved livestock protection and human safety and euthanasia of some leopard remain options in HLC mitigation.

ABSTRACT. In Botswana, small-scale farmers are reliant rainfed farming which is vulnerable to climate change. This necessitates the utilisation of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS), which are embedded in local farmers cultures to inform agronomic decisions. However, the cultural contexts for understanding the relevance of IKS usage to promote sustainable crop production remains underexplored. Thus, the objectives of the study are (i) to identify indigenous centric practices used to tackle climate change (ii) to examine the influence of cultural factors such as religion, ethnicity, gender norms, social capital and traditionalism in the utilisation of IKS in climate change adaptation among small-scale arable farmers in Okavango Delta, Botswana. This study will be informed by the cultural ecology and usage preference of IKS theories. Through a concurrent mixed methods approach, the study employs participatory rural appraisal for the purpose of triangulation. A purposive multistage sampling technique will be utilised for the selection of study sites and participants within two farming communities in the Okavango Delta. Questionnaires will be administered to arable farmers to elicit data on the decision to use indigenous based climate adaptation strategies from a cultural perspective. Focus group discussions, matrix scoring, seasonal calendars and transect walks will be employed for an in-depth exploration of traditional beliefs and practices. Quantitative data collected will be analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data will be subjected to thematic analysis to identify patterns relating to farmers cultural dimensions toward using IKS for crop production in response to climate change. This study is expected to provide resource poor farmers insights regarding enhancing agricultural sustainability to strengthen cultural identity and reclaim indigenous strategies. Beyond the context of Botswana, the study intends to offer insights for knowledge co-production across the rural marginalized farming communities in Southern Africa, where agricultural sustenance is constrained by climate variability.

ABSTRACT. Ticks are major ectoparasites of livestock, adversely affecting animal health, productivity and rural livelihoods through blood loss, tissue damage and transmission of economically important tick-borne pathogens. Conventional tick control relies heavily on synthetic chemical acaricides however, their intensive and prolonged use is associated with the emergence of acaricide-resistant tick populations, chemical residues and environmental contamination. These challenges underscore the need for sustainable and locally adaptable alternatives which may alter tick distribution, abundance and disease transmission dynamics. This study evaluated the acaricidal potential of four locally available Aloe species, namely, Aloe arborescens, Aloe excelsa, Aloe chabaudii and Aloe greatheadii against ticks infesting cattle. Phytochemical screening was conducted to characterise the diversity of potentially bioactive compounds present in each Aloe species. In vivo efficacy was evaluated by applying Aloe-based treatments to naturally tick-infested cattle, followed by assessment of tick mortality at 24 hours post-application over three consecutive weeks. Differences in tick mortality among treatments were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Although no statistically significant differences in tick mortality were observed among the four Aloe species (p > 0.05), A. greatheadii demonstrated the highest observed tick mortality and exhibited the broadest diversity of detected phytochemical constituents. These findings suggest that A. greatheadii may have promising potential as a locally sourced botanical acaricide. Further development could reduce dependence on synthetic acaricides while supporting environmentally responsible livestock health management. Further studies should focus on quantitative characterisation of the active phytochemicals, dose optimisation, mechanisms of acaricidal action, formulation stability, toxicity and long-term field efficacy. Integrating botanical tick control with broader animal, human and environmental health strategies may contribute to climate-resilient and sustainable livestock production systems.

ABSTRACT. Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) presents not only a conservation and livelihood challenge but also an important knowledge and education challenge. Indigenous communities in Namibia have developed locally specific knowledge and cultural practices for living with wildlife, yet some of this knowledge is gradually declining as traditional practices are displaced by modern ways of life. This study examines the potential of education to preserve, transmit and strengthen Indigenous Knowledge (IK) for human-wildlife conflict mitigation and sustainable development. The study draws on community engagement conducted in selected Namibian communities and schools, involving community members, learners and environmental officials. Indigenous practices associated with HWC mitigation were documented and subsequently examined for their potential integration into educational resources and teaching and learning. Examples include the use of community consensus, traditional narratives, drum beating, burning elephant dung, indigenous plants, livestock protection practices and locally developed strategies for avoiding dangerous wildlife encounters. The findings demonstrate that Indigenous Knowledge is closely connected to the local environment and is transmitted through oral narratives, stories, poetry, art, music, craft and intergenerational interaction. School-community engagement provides an opportunity to connect knowledge acquired at school with knowledge transmitted within families and communities. The study further highlights the importance of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in developing learners' environmental knowledge, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities and responsible attitudes towards natural resources. The study proposes that HWC-related Indigenous Knowledge should be systematically documented, critically evaluated and incorporated into appropriate educational programmes and resources. Such an approach can strengthen intergenerational knowledge transfer, enhance environmental awareness and develop human capacity for sustainable coexistence with wildlife. The study contributes to the KAZA knowledge agenda by demonstrating how education can serve as a bridge between indigenous and contemporary knowledge systems for conservation and sustainable development across communities sharing the KAZA landscape.

ABSTRACT. Livestock depredation by large carnivores remains an important human–wildlife conflict(HWC) and livelihood challenge in communal landscapes of Namibia. In Kwandu Conservancy, livestock losses may affect household livelihoods, food security and community tolerance towards wildlife. Although depredation incidents are recorded through conservancy event book systems, there is limited spatial assessment of where livestock attacks are concentrated. This study therefore aims to spatially assess livestock depredation hotspots in Kwandu Conservancy using Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PGIS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Community members will participate in mapping locations where livestock depredation has occurred and identifying the carnivore species perceived to be responsible for attacks. The mapped locations will subsequently be digitised and analysed in R using spatial techniques, including Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), to identify areas of concentrated depredation. Community-derived hotspot maps will then be overlaid with conservancy event book records to assess the level of spatial agreement and validate perceived hotspots. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarise the perceived contribution of different carnivore species to livestock losses. It is expected that the study will identify distinct areas of livestock depredation concentration and reveal spatial differences in perceived predator involvement. The comparison between PGIS-derived hotspots and event Book records is expected to demonstrate areas of convergence and possible discrepancies between local knowledge and recorded incidents. Findings will provide a practical spatial decision-support tool for prioritising human–wildlife conflict mitigation and supporting evidence-based conservation planning in Kwandu Conservancy and the wider KAZA landscape.

ABSTRACT. Fasciolosis is a food and water-borne neglected tropical disease affecting both animals and humans. The disease is caused by parasitic flatworms that belong to the Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hybrid species, often affecting impoverished communities, causing morbidity and economic losses. Whilst within the Namibian context infections have been rported in both animals and humans, there is paucity of information on species circulating. To address this knowledge gape, sixty Fasciola samples were randomly collected from livers of cattle slaughtered at an abattoir in Zambezi region. One Taq PCR targeting fragments of the nuclear 28S ribosomal DNA (28S rRNA – 720bp) and the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA1 – 1,020bp) genes was conducted and subsequently characterized using Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Population genetic indices, neutrality tests and median-joining haplotype networks were computed using DnaSP v6 and Network 10 software. Comparison of the 28S rRNA and mtnad1 genes revealed multiple instances of cytonuclear mismatches in the Namibian samples; providing evidence of interspecific genetic introgression across Fasciola species and ecological settings. One sample clustered with F. hepatica at the 28S rRNA level but mapped directly with F. gigantica at the mt-nad1 level, showing that it exhibited an F. hepatica nuclear phenotype fixed on the F. gigantica maternal background. Further at the 28S rRNA level, there was evidence of introgression with the wildlife species F. nyanzae. The findings of this study provide first evidence of possible introduction and establishment of the temperate F. hepatica in the region, with introgression on-going between the newly introduced species and established F. gigantica species within the Zambezi ecosystem. Evidence of historical and on-going introgression between the livestock specific F. gigantica and wildlife specific F. nyanzae shows that the livestock – wildlife interface characteristic of the Zambezi ecosystem in which grazing areas are co-shared allows for sharing of pathogens between mammalian species, further emphasizing the need for a One Health approach in such an environment.

ABSTRACT. This chapter investigates food resilience of smallholder farmers in Chimanimani District of Zimbabwe. It uses political ecology and a decolonial lens to contend that modern food insecurity in rural communities of Zimbabwe must be traced back to colonial land deprivation, postcolonial agricultural policy unfairness and continued neoliberal agricultural approaches that exclude local knowledge processes. The chapter taps into a 2023 mixed-method baseline study done across six wards, combining quantitative household survey data and participatory rural appraisal approaches to capture context-based realities of food insecurity, ecosystem degradation, and climate vulnerability. Results show that the District suffers from substantial food insecurity, low dietary diversity, land fragmentation, limited irrigation access, weak institutional support, and heavy dependence on rain-fed maize monoculture. Still, farmers show notable adaptive capacity through agro-ecological practices such as intercropping, small grain cultivation, livestock integration, soil management innovations, and collective coping systems. Such practices challenge dominant modern agricultural methods that contextualize smallholder farmers as dormant receivers of foreign expertise. Agro ecology is reimagined as a platform for external knowledge resistance where local farmer experimentation, biodiversity-based systems, and local institutions are strengthened. Participatory methodologies are further interrogated as spaces of struggle where attempts toward decolonizing research exist side by side with foreign driven approaches. Finally, the Chimanimani project demonstrates that improving food resilience requires reconfiguring knowledge systems, correcting institutional wrongs, and repositioning smallholder farmers as co-creators of agricultural knowledge systems.

ABSTRACT. While climate change is wildly perceived as a threat to some communities, several others tend to view it as a blessing. In the Zambezi Region of Namibia – the study, climate change has continued to wreak havoc to some communities while providing substantial economic and livelihood opportunities to several others. Thus, how the communities, perceive and utilize their peculiar situations are critical for adaptation and resilience. This study used the explorative case study design to understand the challenges and opportunities that come with the occurrence of climate change in the Zambezi Region. Semi-structured interviews and observations were used to collect data from a purposively selected sample of 20 inhabitants drawn from the up and low land areas of the Zambezi region to determine the challenges and opportunities associated with the occurrence of climate change in these areas. The data was analysed thematically. The findings revealed that the climate change challenges in the lowland areas are mainly related to high flood water and include damage to access roads linking service centres, school relocations, submerged crop fields, increased wildlife migration to upland, water pollution, lump skin, mosquito outbreak, crocodile and hippopotamus infestations, and attacks. The opportunities identified include increased water transport business and recreations, fishing, and high fish population. On the other hand, the main challenges reported in the upland area include saltiness of farmland in low lying areas following receding flood, high wildlife-human conflict, increased tick-borne disease of cattle, salty borehole water, and an influx of wild birds attacking crop fields. The reported opportunities include the availability of sufficient water for human and livestock, increased farming and harvesting, high fish population, and improved food security. Nevertheless, some of the opportunities such as high fish population, water transport and recreations, and challenges such as high wildlife migration and wetlands can be developed into viable economic activities to improve adaption and climate change resilience of the affected areas.

ABSTRACT. Human-lion conflict threatens livestock based livelihoods and conservation support across the Kavango Zambezi transfrontier conservation area. Mashi conservancy in Namibia is a communal landscape where livestock production overlaps with wildlife movement areas. This study examines the spatial and temporal distribution of recorded lion-livestock predation, livestock types affected, household husbandry and mitigation practices and farmers’ perceptions towards lions. A mixed methods design was used. Structured questionnaires were administered to 82 livestock keeping households to collect information on reported predation during the previous 12 months, household characteristics, kraal type, herding frequency, deterrent use and farmers’ perceptions measured through five point likert scale statements. Secondary records were extracted from Mashi conservancy event books for 2024 to 2026, including incident date, year, village, livestock type, number lost and the south and east grid references used by the conservancy. Data analysis includes frequencies, percentages, livestock loss summaries and grid based spatial mapping. Associations between husbandry practices and reported predation will be examined using cross tabulation, chi-square or fisher’s exact tests, while perception responses will be compared using descriptive statistics and the mann-whitney U test. Preliminary household results indicate that 61 of 82 respondents reported livestock predation during the previous 12 months. Traditional kraals were reported by 60 households and fixed kraals by 23, while 33 households reported using deterrents. Respondents generally perceived lions as a serious threat, while support for conservation and perceptions that benefits compensate for livestock losses were low. The study will provide a grid based account of predation patterns and identify how household protection practices and conflict experience relate to attitudes towards lions. The findings will support targeted, community informed strategies for human lion coexistence, livelihood protection and conservation planning within the KAZA landscape.

ABSTRACT. Fire is an important ecological disturbance in savanna ecosystems and can alter vegetation structure, food availability, shelter and exposure to predators, thereby influencing small-mammal communities. Rodents are useful indicators of habitat disturbance because of their close association with vegetation and microhabitat conditions. This study assessed rodent community structure and habitat use in burned and unburned plots at the Etosha National Park in Namibia, approximately one year after burning. The study compared rodent capture rates, species richness and species diversity between burned and unburned plots, examined differences in community composition, assessed relationships between rodent abundance and selected microhabitat characteristics, and determined associations of individual species with the two plot conditions. Rodents were sampled using live traps arranged in standardized trapping grids, and capture rates were expressed as captures per 100 effective trap-nights. Microhabitat characteristics, including grass cover, shrub cover, bare ground and vegetation height, were measured within the trapping grids. Species richness and diversity were assessed using Shannon-Wiener and Simpson's diversity indices. Differences in rodent capture rates and abundance were evaluated using generalized linear modelling approaches, while community composition was examined using Bray-Curtis dissimilarities, non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA). The study provides site-specific evidence on rodent responses to post-fire habitat conditions and contributes to understanding the effects of fire on small-mammal communities in savanna ecosystems, with implications for fire and biodiversity management.

ABSTRACT. Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) remains a significant challenge for rural communities in Namibia, particularly where livelihoods depend heavily on agriculture, livestock and natural resources. Crop destruction, livestock predation, damage to infrastructure and threats to human safety can undermine food security, household livelihoods and community-wildlife relationships. This study explores the role of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and cultural practices in mitigating HWC and promoting coexistence between rural communities and wildlife. The study draws on community engagement undertaken in selected HWC-affected areas of Namibia, including communities in the Zambezi and Otjozondjupa regions, together with engagement with schools and relevant environmental officials. Community knowledge was documented on traditional practices used to protect crops, livestock, people and property from problematic wildlife. The documented practices include collective community consensus, burning elephant dung, scarecrows, drum beating, use of indigenous plants, livestock protection practices and the strategic modification of environments. The study also identifies practices that may be destructive to wildlife and therefore require reconsideration within contemporary conservation approaches. The findings indicate that locally developed knowledge can provide relatively accessible and socially embedded mechanisms for reducing encounters between people and wildlife without necessarily resulting in the destruction of wildlife. The evidence further suggests that maintaining and adapting appropriate Indigenous Knowledge can strengthen community ownership of HWC mitigation while supporting sustainable livelihoods and wildlife conservation. The study argues for greater recognition of Indigenous Knowledge within community-based conservation and HWC management strategies in the KAZA landscape. Integrating locally appropriate practices with contemporary conservation approaches can contribute to more sustainable human-wildlife coexistence, improved community resilience and the protection of wildlife.

ABSTRACT. Background: Learner indiscipline remains a persistent challenge in secondary schools and can negatively affect teaching and learning through classroom disruptions, loss of instructional time, poor learner concentration and declining academic outcomes. Although disciplinary policies have been developed to regulate learner behaviour and guide schools in managing misconduct, the continued prevalence of learner indiscipline raises questions about how these policies are understood and implemented at school level. Principals are central to the interpretation and implementation of disciplinary policies, and their views may influence how consistently and effectively such policies are applied. This study therefore focuses on the link between principals’ views of disciplinary policies, their implementation practices, the reduction of learner indiscipline and academic improvement in secondary schools. Objectives: The study aims to explore principals’ views on the effectiveness of current disciplinary policies; examine how principals implement these policies to reduce learner indiscipline; identify challenges experienced during implementation; and explore strategies principals use to overcome these challenges in pursuit of improved academic performance. Methods: A qualitative research design will be employed to obtain in-depth understanding of principals’ views, experiences and implementation practices. Purposive sampling will be used to select 25 principals from state and private secondary schools across five circuits in the Khomas Region, Namibia. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews and analysis of relevant disciplinary policy documents, school reports and implementation plans. Thematic analysis will be used to analyse interview data, while content analysis will be applied to policy documents to examine the relationship between written policies and reported implementation practices. The study is guided by Transformational Leadership Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior. Expected Contribution: The study is expected to provide evidence on how principals’ perceptions shape disciplinary policy implementation and how effective implementation can contribute to reducing learner indiscipline and creating conditions that support academic improvement. It may also identify practical strategies for strengthening school-level discipline policy implementation. Conference Relevance: The study is relevant to an education-focused conference because it addresses educational leadership, school discipline, policy implementation, teaching and learning, and academic improvement. It contributes context-specific insights from Namibia that may assist education leaders and policymakers in strengthening disciplinary practices and improving educational outcomes.

ABSTRACT. Freshwater fish are an important source of high-quality proteins and essential minerals. However, evidence on how nutrient concentrations vary with fish size and life stage is limited. This study quantified and compared nutrient concentrations among three fish groups reflecting the local consumption patterns: small-sized fish (analysed whole), juveniles of large-sized fish (whole) and mature large-sized fish (fillets). Contributions to daily recommended nutrient intakes (RNI) for children and pregnant and lactating women (PLW) were also estimated. Composite samples (± 600 g per species) from 19 species (eight small-sized, seven juveniles and eight large-sized) were collected from the Kavango River and analysed for iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, riboflavin, niacin, folate and protein. Nutrient profiles differed significantly among groups. Small-sized and juvenile fish contained higher concentrations of iron, calcium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and riboflavin, whereas large-sized fish were richer in potassium and protein. Juveniles contained up to 87-times more iron than the large-sized fish of the same species. These differences likely reflect whole-fish consumption, including nutrient-dense organs and bones, and nutrient dilution in larger fish. A standard serving of small-sized and juvenile fish provided over 20% of the RNI for four micronutrients each for children and PLW, whereas large-sized fish were excellent source of only niacin. These findings highlight the nutritional importance of small-sized and juvenile fish and support a nutrient-sensitive approach to fisheries management to improve dietary quality and public health outcomes.