Rural livelihoods and household adaptation to desiccation in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Desiccation of river channels in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, significantly disrupts rural livelihoods, with households employing adaptive strategies such as livestock relocation and diversification. However, land use changes and institutional constraints limit their effectiveness. The study highlights that while households respond to desiccation by shifting cultivation practices and digging water sources, they often fail to fully capitalize on emerging opportunities. This suggests a need for systemic improvement in adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate variability and change, not only in Botswana but also in other developing regions.

Motsholapheko, M. R., Vanderpost, C., & Kgathi, D. L. (2012). Rural livelihoods and household adaptation to desiccation in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 3(4), 300–316. https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2012.048