Assessing Land Degradation and

Conservation in Somalia

Somalia Water and Land Information Management Project

Njeru L., Vargas R., Omuto C.

100 – 250 mm/yr

Pastoralism, Oasis farming, wood collection, charcoal production

300 – 500 mm/yrPastoralism and agro-pastoralism

400 – 600 mm/yr

Pastoralism, Agro-pastoralism, Rainfed and irrigated farming, wood collection

Ecology & Livelihoods

Land degradation challenge

1. Heavy pressure on the land (overgrazing / charcoal / enclosures)

2. Breakdown of traditional land management systems

3. Naturally a marginal environ.

Land degradation concerns

Communities want information on > (1) State of the problem - spread and intensity, (2) Causes of the problem, (3) Impacts on People and

Environment, (4) What is being done or can be done

Use of LADA-WOCAT to map LD

1. Data preparation - LUS map developed and validated, supporting data compiled

2. Participatory assessments conducted in Somaliland, Puntland and South/Central

3. Results compiled for each Land use unit and land degradation and conservation situation mapped for the whole country

Land use systems1. Inputs > Bio-physical

characteristics and livelihoods (Livestock, farming, others)

2. Verified by field experts

Sample land degradation data

Lan

d u

se un

it

Main

Deg

. type

Oth

er Deg

. types

Exten

d o

f Deg

.

Deg

ree of D

eg.

Direct cau

ses of

Deg

.

Ind

irect causes

of d

eg.

Imp

acts on

eco

system

Rate o

f Deg

.

Land degradation classes

Loss of veg, Soil nutrient loss, Soil erosion (water)

Overgrazing, Cultivation in Marginal areas

Loss of veg, Soil erosion (water, Wind)

Charcoal production, In-migration -Insecurity

Loss of veg, Loss of biodiversity, Soil erosion (water, Wind), Salinization

Overgrazing, Cultivation in marginal areas, poor irrigation mgt

Land management practices

Few land management practices across the country

However, few success practices available

Conclusions

1. Good tool for mapping degradation & conservation

2. Good preparation needed – good base map and supporting data

3. Adequate time needed for the assessment to reach consensus

4. Land degradation dataset for Somalia now available

5. Dataset will guide land degradation and conservation interventions

6. At community level > LADA Local Assessment / WOCAT DBs and tools