Hoanib

Flood area of ​​the Hoanib east of Sesfontein

Template: Infobox River / Obsolete

The Hoanib is one of the 12 dry ephemeral rivers in the western part of Namibia where it forms the border between the northern Damaraland and Kaokoland to the. Its length is 270 km. With the low population density, the oasis character of the river valley and the relatively high stock of game, the Honaib together with the Hoarusib one of the last true wilderness areas in Namibia Represents the valley of the Hoanib is regarded as one of the last settlements of the desert elephants and shows strong wind and wassererodierte and weathered stone deposits (up to 10 m height). Tributaries of the Hoanib are Ombonde, Ganamub, Mudorib and Tsuxab.

Hydrology

The catchment area of ​​17,200 km ² and comprises Hoanib extends from the west coast to Ojiovasando and the black peaks in the interior, it also includes the resources -rich region around Sesfontein, hot source and the Khowarib gorge with. The highest point in the catchment is located at 1800 m. The rainfall in the catchment area are sporadic and vary from 0 mm / yr in the west to 325 mm in the north east of the catchment. The area ratio of less than 100 mm / yr is 71%, only 12% of the catchment area is the annual rainfall of about 300 mm. The Hoanib only comes every few years from when it rains in the hinterland of the catchment area, but then the tide can be several meters high and last for several days. Frequent re Not always, but in recent years, the water reaches the estuary into the Atlantic. A large part of the water seeps and contributes to a larger, lying just below the surface groundwater bodies emerging from the in some places in the river bed and in dry years groundwater. The often forming in surrounding groundwater salt efflorescence is used by numerous antelopes as salt licks. In dry periods living in Hoanib desert elephants dig meter deep holes to get to the near-surface groundwater.

Vegetation and fauna

The vegetation of the catchment comprises mainly Mopanesavanne (87 %) and northern Namib, at 13%. In the gallery forests are found partly larger stocks of Ana trees ( Faidherbia albida ), Leadwood ( Combretum imberbe ), mopane ( mopane Colophospermum ), camel thorn (Acacia erioloba ) and Salvadora and Euclea. In particular, under the Convention and in the area of ​​wetlands, there are larger, often several meters high stocks of sedges and reeds.

With its gallery forests and the larger wetlands in the Khowarib Canyon, in a flood area east of Sesfontein and on the lower reaches and mouth region, the Hoanib a linear oasis in the otherwise arid surroundings represent and thus provides the livelihood for a rich wildlife. In addition to larger populations of many species of antelope and a large number of desert elephants ( about 35 individuals ), black rhino, giraffes are found in the lower reaches of the Hoanib but also several lion prides and smaller predators.

Use and settlement

91 % of the catchment area are as Communal land in tribal government, the private ownership of land with a 3% spread over 12 farms. 6% of the catchment area are in the range of the Skeleton Coast Park. The population is estimated at about 9200. Settlement centers are Sesfontein, and hot source and Otjivasando. The land use is predominantly pastoral. Increasingly plays in the region but also the individual and adventure tourism a role. West of Sesfontein the Hoanib Valley is in the concession area of Desert Adventure Safaris. The increasing tourism, but also the grazing pressure of the local population and the desires in mining are increasingly a threat to the unique ecosystem of the Hoanib Valley dar.