Identifying and describing the impact of gully erosion in the livelihoods and properties of traditional Himba communities in Kaokoland (Namibia) as a driver of regional migration

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and the local communities in a valley extended towards the south from Opuwo, inhabited by the same native Himba families for several generations.In-situ surveys show that the gully is a general concern in the area due to the insecurity and direct physical risk it poses to humans and their domestic animals.The second factor of distress is the accelerating land degradation in the valley, leading to the disappearance of grazing areas, forcing local shepherds to travel further in their transhumance.Ortho-imagery and spatial analysis show that 10% of the houses, 25% of the Kraals, and 50% of the gardens are less than 50 meters away from the gully border, and therefore they are in current or potential risk of abandonment, forcing eventual re-settlements and migrations.Moreover, indigenous knowledge arises that the gully also offers a few advantages, like its ability to store water during the dry season.These benefits are frequently seen as a trap or an associated risk for the animals and children getting in the gully.To this end, it is noticeable that as the gully affects the communities and its livelihoods, it also acts as a driver of development for the gully through its agricultural and livestock practices.This is evident by the appearance of the gully heads on paths, ditches, and domestic animals' routes, along with endemic overgrazing for decades.In summary, this research identified these prevalent human-nature dynamics and attempted to provide recommendations that can reverse accelerated degradation in the long term while describing the present and potential future of the Himba people inhabiting these fragile lands in Kaokoland.• Gullies lead to a decrease in soil moisture in the inter-gully areas (Frankl et al., 2013).

Identifying and describing the impact of gully erosion in the livelihoods and properties of traditional
• Gully development enhance drainage and accelerate aridification processes in the semi-arid zones, which leads to a loss of crop yields and available land (Valentin et al., 2005) • It is possibly the most critical overlooked environmental problem in Namibia (Pringle et al., 2011).
• The Himba Land use is based on the joint management of the natural resources pasture and water.

Results
-Most affected elements are the gardens.
-General land degradation and security for animals and humans is reported as the main concern, -Permanent access to water is reported as the main benefit of the gully.

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Gully erosion is a form of soil erosion caused by flowing surface water which consists of open, unstable channels that have been cut more than 30 cm deep into the ground.(https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/).

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The main livelihoods in the study area are goat herding and maize crop farming.-Diversity of the family and settlements spatial arrangements, as well as in the type of construction structures.-The potential rainy season pasture is disappearing, and the pressure is transferred to potential dry season pasture.-As the gully offers continuous resources it is an attractive migration spot in the rainy season.Conclusions Mobility patterns and agricultural practices affect the development of existing gullies and favour the creation of new gullies.-As the gully increases in size, it becomes more difficult to keep cows.-On of the main problem associated with gully is safety for animals and people.-Large scale gully monitoring (Satellite based) is required.