ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the agro-ecological similarities and heterogeneity of peoples, household composition and livelihood options at various scales – across countries, within regions, between villages and within local 'communities'. It describes the main activities that comprise the livelihoods of households living close to the edge, using specific examples that illustrate the particular opportunities that lead to people depending more, or depending less, on natural resources. The chapter reflects on the diverse livelihoods of people living on the edge, which are shaped by ecological, socio-political, economic and institutional factors. It provides information on the local people who live within and on the edges of transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) in Southern Africa, namely the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, the Kavango-Zambezi Park and the Lower Zambezi Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area or Zambezi Heartland. The chapter draws out important contrasts between countries and locations within countries.
