Effects of droughts on vegetation condition and ecosystem service delivery in data-poor areas : a case of Bobirwa sub-district, Limpopo Basin and Botswana

Findings of this study indicate that the increased frequency and severity of droughts is diminishing natural vegetation, crop productivity and several provisioning ecosystem services (ES) through moisture stress and drought-induced agricultural expansions. There is an urgent need for smallholder irrigation development in Bobirwa sub-district (Botswana) to improve crop productivity and reduce the drought-induced conversion of woodlands to agriculture. The study examined drought dynamics and impacts on vegetation and ES in the semi-arid Limpopo Basin of Botswana. Weather station precipitation, remotely sensed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and participatory mapping exercises provided data for the analyses.UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID