Shipena, Gabes N.2014-02-072014-02-072011http://hdl.handle.net/11070/570A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in SecurityAbstract provided by authorBush encroachment is the conversion of open savannas to tree-dominated shrub lands. Bush encroachment results in habitat degradation and the loss of resource productivity. In this study, small mammals were used to investigate the effects of bush encroachment on biodiversity. The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of bush encroachment on the species abundance, diversity and composition of small mammals. The study was conducted in selected bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites at the Neudamm Agricultural Farm in the Khomas Region, during the "Hot-dry" season, "Hot-wet" season (April 2010) and "Cold-dry" season (July2010)Various habitat factors, namely: woody density, woody cover and grass cover, all of which influence the diversity, distribution and abundance of small mammals were measured in the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. An area was considered to be bush encroached when the woody density of the encroaching species was 1,000 bushes per 1ha. Non-bush encroached sites were areas with a woody density of 1,000 bushes per 1ha. The results revealed a significant difference in the woody density (t49xiv, 102 pengHIV infections NamibiaSoldiers health and hygieneThesisF004-199299999999999