Across Southern Africa, communally governed rangelands support wildlife, vast informal economies and millions of people.
There has been international interest in rangelands as spaces for landscape restoration and ecosystems management associated with ‘nature-based solutions’ (NbS). But these dynamic landscapes are often misunderstood.
Much of the evidence about NbS comes from very different settings in the Global North. This leads to assumptions and practices that do not take account of the histories of Southern African rangelands, and their changing social, ecological and political contexts.
REPAiR critically explores whether and how equitable, contextual, community-led approaches to NbS can support adaptability and resilience in Southern Africa’s rangelands.
Latest posts
18 February 2026 - Timothy Gibbs
Getting beyond the formal/informal divide
A stark line is sometimes drawn between ‘industrial/commercial’ and ‘informal’ segments of South Africa’s meat industry. But are such distinctions helpful?
2 February 2026 - Linda Pappagallo
Myth: Mobility drives conflict
Bias against mobile livelihoods has a long history, through colonial regimes into modern development thinking. But mobility can be a vital tool for connection and resilience.
HIGHLIGHTS
Understanding rangelands and grasslands
Rangelands are complex and productive landscapes, but have been neglected and misunderstood in agricultural policy.
Who we are
The REPAiR team brings together disciplinary and thematic research expertise spanning the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities, with partners based in the UK and South Africa. The team also includes people with practical experience in working with rangeland communities on conservation and market access.
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