Stand Structure, Diversity and Regeneration Status of Woody Species in Open and Exclosed Dry Woodland Sites around Molapo Farming Areas of the Okavango Delta, Northeastern Botswana

Alarmingly, 71% to 85% of woody species in open and exclosed dry woodland sites around Molapo farming areas of the Okavango Delta exhibit hampered regeneration, signaling unhealthy population structures. This study, conducted across three sites (Island Safari, Shorobe, Xobe), recorded 47 species, with Fabaceae and Combretaceae being the most diverse families. Acacia emerged as the dominant genus. Stand structure analysis revealed mean densities ranging from 2629 to 4271 individuals per hectare, while diversity indices (Shannon) were below 2.2, with evenness values around 0.5–0.6. Species like Colophospermum mopane and Dichrostachys cinerea were consistently prominent, but their regeneration status is critically compromised. The research underscores an urgent need to investigate the causes of this decline and implement measures for natural or artificial regeneration to sustain biodiversity in these UNESCO-listed wetlands.

Neelo, J., Teketay, D., Kashe, K., & Masamba, W. (2015). Stand Structure, Diversity and Regeneration Status of Woody Species in Open and Exclosed Dry Woodland Sites around Molapo Farming Areas of the Okavango Delta, Northeastern Botswana. Open Journal of Forestry, 05(04), 313–328. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojf.2015.54027