Land Reports Series
Land Reports Series
L 01 - Field Survey Manual: This technical manual was prepared in support of SWALIM land resources baseline data collection activities. It is intended as a guide for spatial field data collection in terms of landform, soils, soil erosion, land cover/vegetation and land use. Each chapter is devoted to field recording methodologies for different land resource attributes, using a combination of theory and field techniques. A data collection form is provided for each land resource. Initially, this manual was intended for land resource surveys in Somalia; however, it is appropriate for use in other arid and semi-arid countries. Download Table of Contents, Report, (PDF, 5MB)
L 02 - Landform of Selected Study Areas in Somaliland and Southern Somalia: This report shows the spatial variability of the main geomorphologic characteristics of two selected study areas in Somaliland and Southern Somalia. Landscape and relief were mapped using a combination of satellite visual interpretation and geomorphometry. Two maps were produced which illustrate how terrain varies in terms of topographic attributes. This data and information is of use to those working with natural resources management. Download Table of Contents, Report (PDF, 5.4MB)
L 03-Land Cover of Selected Study Areas in Somaliland and Southern Somalia: This report describes the land cover and vegetation of two selected study areas in Somaliland and Southern Somalia. Land cover classes were created using the LCCS classification system, and spatial variability was obtained through satellite image interpretation and field data collection. A description of the main land cover and vegetation units and their locations are described and are a valuable resource for users dealing with natural resources management. Download Table of Contents, Report (PDF, 8.2MB)
L 04-Land Use Characterisation of a Selected Study Area in Somaliland: This report characterizes land use classes present in a 12,939 km2 study area in Somaliland. Land-use classes were identified in the study area through interpretation of land cover data, semi-structured interviews and satellite image interpretation and their attributes are described. Users can obtain a detailed overview of land use activities in the study area. Download Table of Contents, Report (PDF, 2.4MB)
L 05-Soil Survey of a Selected Study Area in Somaliland: This report contains information on the spatial variability of soils in a 12,939 km2 study area in Somaliland. Soil attributes of the main soil types represented by 81 soil profiles are described. A soil map was produced at 1:100,000 and 1:50,000 scales, showing the spatial variability of all the soil attributes. A technical assessment of the main soil attributes is also available, hence different users may use this information for different applications. Download Table of Contents, Report (PDF, 7.8MB)
L 06-Land Suitability Assessment of a Selected Study Area in Somaliland: This is an assessment of land suitability for rainfed agriculture, extensive grazing (pastoralism) and forestry in a selected area of Somaliland. Land suitability is presented in the form of tables, maps and narratives for specific types of land use defined by individual crops, grazing animals or forestry species. This report also gives details of the Somalia Automated Land Evaluation System (SOMALES), which is the application for Somalia of the FAO Framework for Land Evaluation and ALES software. Download Table of Contents, Report (PDF, 7.8MB)
L 07-Land Use Characterisation of the Juba and Shabelle Riverine Areas in Southern Somalia: This is a characterisation of the different land use classes present in the Juba and Shabelle riverine areas in Southern Somalia, covering an area of approximately 88,000 km2. Land-use classes in the study area were determined through land cover analysis, semi-structured interviews and interpretation of satellite imagery, and are described with their specific attributes. Users will obtain a detailed overview of land use activities in the study area. Download Table of Contents, Report (PDF, 2.8MB)
L 08-Soil survey of the Juba and Shabelle Riverine Areas in Southern Somalia: This report contains data and information on spatial variability of soils in the Juba and Shabelle riverine areas in Southern Somalia, covering an area of approximately 88,000 km2. Soil attributes for the main soil types are described. Eleven different Reference Soil Groups are present in the study area. These soils are: Leptosols, Vertisols, Fluvisols, Solonetz, Solonchacks, Stagnosols, Gypsisols, Calcisols, Arenosols, Cambisols and Regosols. A 1:100,000 soil map was produced showing the spatial variability of all the soil attributes. The report also lists maps of specific irrigation projects along the Juba and Shabelle river catchments. Download Table of Contents, Report (PDF, 3.2MB)
L 09-Land Suitability Assessment of the Juba and Shabelle Riverine Areas in Southern Somalia: This report describes physical land suitability for rainfed agriculture, irrigated agriculture, extensive grazing (pastoralism) and forestry in a study area in Southern Somalia. Land suitability is presented in the form of tables, maps and narratives for specific types of land use defined by individual crops, grazing animals or forestry species. This report also gives details of the Somalia Automated Land Evaluation System (SOMALES), which is the application for Somalia of the FAO Framework for Land Evaluation and ALES software. Download Table of Contents, Report (PDF, 7.2MB)
L 10-Land Degradation Assessment and Recommendation for a Monitoring Framework in Somaliland
This report describes the prevalent types of land degradation, their causes and impacts, and sustainable land management practices to combat land degradation in Somaliland. Two levels of assessment were carried out, one covering the whole area using the LADA-WOCAT expert assessment method and the other focusing on a local area and using a combination of methods i.e. LADA-WOCAT expert assessment, time-series (1982 to 2008) analysis of satellite images, and analysis of historical soil properties data. The most common land degradation types identified include loss of vegetation, soil erosion, and decline in soil nutrient. This report is useful in guiding conservation efforts in land resources management. Download Table of Contents, Download Report (PDF, 10.5MB)
L 11-Application of Remote Sensing Techniques for the Assessment of Pastoral Resources in Puntland, Somalia: This report examines two areas in Puntland, north and south of Garowe, with an area of about 7000 km2 each. It focuses on land cover change, invasive non-palatable plant species, drought and impact of settlements and water points on the environment. The report also gives details on the vegetation by type and the herbaceous biomass in the Northern study area. Ecological surveys, NDVI analysis and interviews to the local people by semi-structured questionnaire were used to produce the results of this report. Download Table of Contents, Report (PDF, 7.5MB)
L 12-Land Resources of Somalia: The purpose of this report is to summarize and consolidate the main findings of various land resource surveys and studies carried out in three study areas, and to give a generalized assessment of land resources of the whole country, based on both existing data (notably climatic and soils) and on recent SWALIM data. National-level maps in this report include maps on Length of Growing Period, Soils of Somalia, and Agro-Ecological Zones. Area-specific maps include resource base-maps of a selected area in Somaliland and the Juba and Shabelle river basins, and land suitability maps. Download Table of Contents, Report (PDF, 6.7MB)
L 13-Land Use Planning Guidelines for Somaliland: Land Use Planning Guidelines describes principles and procedures for planning land use in general and specifically in Somaliland. The guidelines contained in the report were developed through a participatory process involving all stakeholders (traditional authorities and government institutions) in Somaliland. The report provides information on the activities that needed to be undertaken at the different levels of land use planning, e.g. village level, district/regional level and national level and how the different levels interrelate. Download Table of Contents, Report (PDF, 6.7MB)
L 14-Land Degradation Assessment and a Monitoring Framework in Somalia
This report describes the prevalent land degradation types, their causes and impacts, and sustainable land management practices to combat land degradation in Somalia. Two methods were used for this assessment. The - his was achieved through a combination of techniques. The LADA-WOCAT expert assessment was used to identify the key types of degradation, their status and trends, their causes and impacts and the responses put in place to address them. The experts who undertook this assessment were Somali professionals with long field experiences. To enhance the expert assessment, time series (1982 to 2008) analysis of satellite images was carried out. The most common land degradation types identified in the report include loss of vegetation, soil erosion, decline in soil nutrient in the agricultural areas, and salinity in areas where irrigation has been practised for a long period. This report is useful in identifying areas where there is an increasing trend of land degradation so that detailed assessment can be carried out. It is useful in guiding decision making to combat land degradation in Somalia. Download Table of Contents, Report (PDF, 2.3MB)
L 15- Detection of Tree Cutting in the Rangelands of North Eastern Somalia: This report outlines how very high resolution satellite imagery was used to estimate the rate of tree-cutting in Puntland. The study used visual interpretation of Ikonos and Quickbird images for 2001 and 2006 respectively to generate tree density maps for the two years. Through collaboration between SWALIM and the EC Joint Research Centre at Ispra, Italy, an automatic procedure for identifying and classifying trees was also tested. Both techniques produced similar results, which showed an overall decrease in tree density between 2001 and 2006. The results also showed some areas where the tree densities have increased due to environmental conservation through community interventions. The method used can be up-scaled to other parts of Somalia to support afforestation campaigns and environmental conservation. Download Table of Contents, Report(PDF 7.2 MB)
L 16-Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Modelling and Monitoring of Juba and Shabelle Riverine Areas in Southern Somalia
This report puts the focus on assessment of soil erosion and sedimentation of the riverine areas of Juba and Shabelle. Modelling estimates of top soil loss in the study in 2007 and 2008 are presented. The report also presents sediment yields for 2007 and 2008 as well as potential sites for monitoring sediments and potential sediment sources. It also provides a theoretical framework for monitoring soil erosion and sedimentation.Download Table of Contents, Report (PDF, 3.87MB)
