Following him, Prof. Anja Linstädter outlines once more the project’s core objectives and explains the different research approaches used-retrospective, comparative, and prospective. Next, Dr. Clara Nesongano (UNAM) presents on above-and below-ground indicators for Dryland Tipping Points (DTPs) in Namibia. She explores the past by comparing sites with varying histories of bush thinning and offers a glimpse into the future through the TipEx experiment, outlining its role in predicting rangeland responses. Dr. Mark Bilton then takes the stage to explain how to distinguish between healthy and degraded rangelands. He focuses on perennial grasses, particularly on the sharp shifts in species composition that occur with continued degradation, evidence of tipping point behavior. He also stresses the importance of bush thinning, emphasizing the benefits it brings to rangeland health. His message is clear: time is needed for successful rangeland restoration. He states that resting the land for two years could increase biomass by 300%, and, when combined with bush thinning, productivity could rise by up to 500% within five years.
Before the break, Dr. Meed Mbidzo (NUST) presents on the socio-economic and political drivers of desertification tipping points in both Namibia’s freehold and communal lands. She shares comparative graphs, showing that rangelands in freehold areas tend to be in better condition-characterized by higher productivity and lower forb content. She attributes this to historical external drivers, noting that during colonization, many communal farmers were relocated to less productive lands with poor water access, making sustainable land management extremely difficult.
After a short coffee break, Dr. Stefan Liehr (ISOE) provides an overview of the project outputs and of the factsheets developed by NamTip scientists to communicate their findings to the general public. These documents offer concrete suggestions for tackling rangeland degradation and serve as a bridge between research and practice.
The event concludes with a lively and engaged discussion, focused on how to build on the momentum created by the NamTip project, with the firm intention of having a concrete impact, for example by supporting local communal farmers’ communities to co-develop plans for improved rangeland management by building additional fences, thereby seeking the support from the Government. Prof. Dr. Anja Linstädter picks up on this theme, elaborating on plans to continue the work in the future. Her message is clear and hopeful:
“We don’t want to stop here.”
A joint lunch afterwards provided a welcome opportunity to reflect on the highly successful past two weeks. The NamTip project not only produced a significant amount of scientific output but also succeeded in engaging and including a wide range of people.
Throughout numerous discussions-with students, farmers, and policymakers-one thing consistently stood out: the shared willingness to learn from one another and collaborate toward building a sustainable future for Namibia.
Link to NamTip website: https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/namtip