NamTip concludes second project phase with strong scientific, societal and educational impact

Since its launch in 2019, the German–Namibian cooperative project NamTip – A Namibian Perspective on Desertification Tipping Points in the Face of Climate Change has brought together scientists and stakeholders to investigate the emergence, dynamics, and management of social-ecological tipping points in Namibia’s drylands. The project was coordinated by the University of Potsdam, in collaboration with partners from the University of Bonn, University of Cologne, University of Tübingen, the Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE), the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), the University of Namibia (UNAM), Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), the Namibian National Farmers’ Union (NNFU), and EduVentures. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR, formerly BMBF) within the GlobalTip programme and the sustainability research strategy FONA, the project focused on understanding the ecological and social drivers of desertification tipping points and woody plant encroachment, as well as identifying pathways to prevent ecosystem degradation and support restoration. Special emphasis was placed on the role of climate change in tipping point dynamics and on integrating scientific findings through field experiments, remote sensing, modelling, scenario development, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge dissemination activities.

Scientific outputs and interdisciplinary synthesis

A major achievement of the second project phase (September 2023 - May 2026) was the publication of numerous scientific outputs in international peer-reviewed journals (see full publication list here). These publications addressed both ecological and social dimensions of desertification dynamics and highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches for understanding and managing dryland systems. Several interdisciplinary publications integrating ecological, social, and modelling perspectives are currently still in preparation.

In addition to journal articles, NamTip researchers contributed to conference proceedings, book chapters, and presentations at major national and international conferences. In 2025, NamTip researchers hosted a pre-conference workshop at Tropentag on tipping points in social-ecological systems, bringing together researchers from several GlobalTip projects. 

Supporting sustainable land management in Namibia

Beyond academic outputs, NamTip placed strong emphasis on translating scientific findings into practical knowledge for stakeholders. A video showcasing the main project’s ecological experiments was produced targeting both academic and non-academic audiences. Furthermore, between 2025 and 2026, a comprehensive series of 17 NamTip Factsheets was developed (see full list here), addressing topics such as rangeland monitoring, grazing management, bush thinning, restoration techniques, forage production, social-ecological dynamics, and drought resilience. These factsheets were distributed during stakeholder workshops and community meetings in Namibia and translated into the local language Otjiherero to further increase accessibility.

A synthesis booklet for practitioners was also developed, titled “Understanding and Managing Rangeland Degradation in the Greater Waterberg Area of Namibia”, targeting practitioners and land managers with a synthesis of key findings and recommendations for sustainable rangeland use. In addition, a separate policy brief was produced to specifically inform Namibian policymakers, translating project results into actionable insights for governance and land management planning.

Stakeholder engagement formed a central pillar of the project. During the annual NamTip Meetings in Namibia, researchers organized workshops with communal and freehold farmers, local authorities, NGOs, and other regional stakeholders in the Greater Waterberg Landscape. These events created spaces for dialogue on desertification challenges, local knowledge, and practical management options to strengthen the resilience of dryland farming systems.

Capacity building and training

Capacity building was another important pillar of NamTip. The project supported numerous PhD, MSc, Honours, and BSc students in Germany and Namibia (see full list here), who conducted field-based research within the Greater Waterberg Landscape. Three PhD theses were successfully completed during the project period, while four additional doctoral projects are currently ongoing. In addition, 26 Master’s, Honours, and Bachelor’s theses were completed within the project, with several more still in progress, covering a wide range of topics related to dryland ecology, land management, and social-ecological dynamics.

In June 2025, the NamTip Winter School brought together students, researchers, and practitioners from Namibia and Germany for interdisciplinary training activities, field excursions, and stakeholder exchange. The Winter School was featured on the official United Nations list of events for Desertification and Drought Day 2025, highlighting its contribution to international capacity-building efforts on land degradation and climate change adaptation.

Educational outreach activities conducted in collaboration with EduVentures further expanded the project’s societal impact. Since the first project phase, around 500 school learners and 25 teachers in the Greater Waterberg Region participated in introductory educational modules on desertification tipping points and climate change. In the second phase, a smaller group of 20 selected learners engaged more intensively in hands-on research activities, including field data collection together with NamTip scientists and presentation of their small research projects at regional science fairs, community events, and stakeholder workshops. These activities strengthened environmental awareness, scientific literacy, and community engagement among young people in rural Namibia. 

Looking ahead

Although the second funding phase officially concluded in May 2026, several collaborative activities and publications are still ongoing. In particular, the long-term monitoring of experimental sites such as the TipEx platform will continue to provide valuable insights into dryland recovery processes. Through its strong integration of ecological research, social sciences, stakeholder engagement, modelling, and education, NamTip has established an important foundation for future research and sustainable land management initiatives in Namibia and beyond.