Namibia is located on the south-west coast of Africa between the latitudes 17.5⁰ and 29⁰
south and 11.5⁰ and 25.5⁰ east. It has a total surface of 824 295 km2
, with a population of
approximately 2.1 million in the most recent population census (2011). Despite these
diverse environmental conditions, recurrent drought and desertification have contributed to
making Namibia’s natural resources, as well as the rangeland ecosystems, most vulnerable.
The country’s natural resource-based economy and limited technical and financial resources
further increase the vulnerability. On contrary Namibia’s economic backbone is the
agricultural sector were livestock production is the major contributor to the economy. The
livestock sector is mainly dependent on the rangeland for forage resources. Therefore
Namibia has put more emphasis on vulnerability and adaptation to sustainable use of
rangeland resources and its management.