Student Presentations 7

While on safari in Khwai, we had student presentations related to the wildlife of the Okavango delta and the implications of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) in the Okavango.

Ryan presented on the species diversity of the Okavango, with a total of 1,300 pants, 71 fish, 33 amphibians, 64 reptiles, 444 birds, and 122 mammals identified in the region.

Jakki presented on the influence of elephant herbivory and fire on savanna woodlands of northern Botswana. Evidence of ecosystem engineering by elephants was clearly visible in the large amount of damaged and browsed trees we saw on our game drives.

Anneka presented on land use and resource conflicts in the Okavango. The Okavango Delta Management Plan, adopted in 2007, was developed in attempt to coordinate the multiple stakeholders, institutions, and policies related to the delta.

Julianne presented on strategies to minimize the impacts of crop raiding by elephants in Northern Botswana. The authors of her report suggest a payment for performance approach that compensates farmers for adopting mitigation strategies such as planting chili plants to deter crop raiding.

Ryan presented on the success of CBNRM in northern Botswana. He discussed potential approaches to increasing community involvement through broadened consulting platforms prior to CBNRM implementation.

Janna presented on some of the pros and cons of CBNRM programs in Botswana, including the inequalities in empowerment provided by CBNRM.