The study area I have identified for this semester of Biodiversity Stewardship is Namibia. I’ve chosen Namibia primarily because of personal and professional interests in Southern Africa, but also hope to
1) Increase my understanding of the unique types of biodiversity in the region, specifically within deserts along Namibia's western coastline, and
Located in the southwest corner of the African continent, adjacent to the South Atlantic Ocean, Namibia’s rich biodiversity spans across rivers, mountains, and deserts. The Namib Desert is the largest in Namibia, and spans over 30,000 square miles along the coast. Namibia's deserts are home to several species of wildlife including mammals, reptiles, birds, and plants; many of which are endemic.
2) Develop a more keen awareness to threats facing biodiversity in Namibia and across the Southern Africa region.
Threats to biodiversity in Namibia are similar to those across Southern Africa, and include improper natural resource extraction, land and water use, conflicts between human and wildlife populations, and climate change.
