Abstract
The basket-weaving industry on the edge of the Okavango Swamps in northwestern Botswana is dependent on natural populations of the palmHyphaene petersiana. Commercialization of the basket industry has led to changes in the population structure of the palms. The mean size of palm leaves has decreased and the resource has been depleted in the vicinity of swamp villages. Plants used to dye the palm fibres for basketry are becoming scarce. Through use of alternative raw materials and development of new crafts both natural resources and the incomes of the village craftspeople could be sustained.
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Cunningham, A.B., Milton, S.J. Effects of basket-weaving industry on mokola palm and dye plants in northwestern Botswana. Econ Bot 41, 386–402 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02859055
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02859055