Biodiversity and endemism
Biodiversity is a central objective of community conservation. Namibia’s most notable biodiversity ‘hot spots’ are in the north-east of Namibia. By contrast, concentrations of endemic species are greatest in the dry central and western parts of the country.
Contributions to the protection of biodiversity and endemism
Biomes and habitats are protected by community conservation. Although riverine habitats are small in the context of the entire country, their importance is magnified because they cross arid terrain and provide vital refugia for wildlife. Conservancies in the arid north-west of Namibia provide critical protection of habitats, which are less well protected in the moister eastern regions of Kavango and Zambezi due to roads and associated settlements, which have developed along river courses.
Habitat, biome or area | Communal conservancies | Community forests outside conservancies | Concession areas | State protected areas | Total coverage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lakes & dams | 15.6 | 12.6 | 28.2 | ||
Oshanas & floodplains | 33.4 | 8.6 | 42 | ||
Pans | 3.1 | 77.8 | 80.9 | ||
Perennial rivers | 37.2 | 20.8 | 58 | ||
Ephemeral rivers | 34.3 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 11.1 | 48.9 |
Nama Karoo | 14.6 | 1.4 | 5 | 21 | |
Namib Desert | 13.9 | 3.2 | 75.7 | 92.8 | |
Succulent Karoo | 90.5 | 90.5 | |||
Acacia Savanna | 20.1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 4.5 | 24.8 |
Broad-leafed Savanna | 34.3 | 7.7 | 8.8 | 45.4 | |
Total area of Namibia | 20.2 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 16.8 | 38.2 |