Biodiversity

Under the IUCN Red Data Book system, reedbuck, waterbuck, lechwe and puku are all classified as "Lower Risk (conservation dependent)" (ASG 1998). The distributional data show that these species cannot be regarded as threatened in any global or regional context (Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8) . All four species are of conservation concern at the national level in Namibia because their numbers are low and the subpopulations of reedbuck and lechwe on the Kavango River are separated from those in the Eastern Caprivi. However, spatial links exist between the Caprivi populations and the larger populations in Botswana and the Namibian populations are a peripheral part of a regional population.

The strongest arguments for enhancing the wetland grazer populations is that these are the species specifically adapted to the floodplain habitats of the Caprivi. When present in substantial numbers they establish the unique character of the area. If they were to disappear from the only area in Namibia where both rainfall conditions and habitats are favourable, this would be a loss of biological diversity and a failure of wildlife management. Their persistence in viable numbers could be seen as an indicator of ecosystem health. The factors which present the greatest threat to these floodplain ecosystems are the uncontrolled spread of human settlement, clearing of lands for crops, an overabundance of cattle and a severe fire regime.