Abstract
Our results show that a preservation initiative that is aimed at increasing grazing and
hunting opportunities would be supported by dryland communities. Although the
Khomani San indigenous people are traditionally hunters and gatherers, over time a
significant number have switched to livestock farming. Given that livestock farming is
one of the main livelihood sources in the Kgalagadi dryland area, the Khomani San
place a value on the ecosystem services that support their livelihood. The willingness
of local people to pay to preserve the services they depend on is lower, in monetary
terms, than the willingness to pay of park visitors to see the features of the ecosystem
that attract tourists. That means one group can pay for conservation goals that would
support the livelihood of the other.