Forest cover in Namibia was once much greater than it is now. As population growth increased demand for timber for traditional housing and the rapid commercial exploitation of species such as Zambezi Teak and Kiaat intensified, forest reserves were in severe danger of depletion. With climate change an increasing concern in Namibia, as well as the rest of the world, the maintenance of forest cover is of particular importance.
Namibia’s forest areas are part of southern Africa’s Miombo Woodlands. They are not dense forests, but rather aggregations of woodlands and bush. They are ecologically important for carbon storage, for their capacity to retain soil and prevent erosion, and for the wealth of biodiversity (flora and fauna) they contain or host. Forests are also an economic resource, containing timber and other plants. African Teak is a high-value timber used in carving. Other forest products include devil’s claw, a tuber with medicinal qualities.

Namibia’s forest areas are part of southern Africa’s Miombo Woodlands. They are not dense forests, but aggregations of woodlands and bush. They are ecologically important for carbon storage, for their capacity to retain soil and prevent erosion, and for the wealth of biodiversity (flora and fauna) they contain or are host to. Forests are also an economic resource containing timber and other plants. African Teak is a high value timber used in carving. Other forest products include devil’s claw, a tuber with medicinal qualities.