Scrutinising Multidimensional Challenges in the Maloti-Drakensberg (Lesotho/South Africa)

The Maloti-Drakensberg (MD) is the largest and highest-elevation mountain system in southern Africa. Covering 40,000 km2 reaching 3500 m, MD provides a range of ecosystem services (ES) to entire African region—benefitting diverse users extending well beyond mountains. Rapid socioecological change threatens provision ES presents multidimensional challenges sustainable development. However, continued land degradation persisting socioeconomic problems indicate that development policy has not been effective tackling these issues. In this paper, multidisciplinary literature review forms basis discussion which takes an framing scrutinise social, political, economic cultural issues study area. Three critical management systems are presented, their associated discussed, namely, water transfer, rangelands conservation tourism. particular, diversity uses values considered. results reveal main drivers unsustainable highlight important information gaps.