Degradation in the Sneeuberg Region of the central Karoo, South Africa is characterized by the development of badlands on the footslopes of upland areas and by gully systems in valley bottoms. Degradation also occurs on formerly cultivated valley bottom land. Climatic and management factors have been suggested as the predominant drivers behind what is perceived by farmers as degradation (Acocks, 1953, Hoffman et al. 1999). The main thesis question is which factors have predominated in producing the erosional features observed in the study area?