INTEGRATED PROJECT ON ARID LANDS, KENYA

INTEGRATED PROJECT ON ARID LANDS, KENYA

A scene from the IPAL study area: The Ndoto Mountains as seen from the road to Ngurunit.

In 1976, the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) funded the Integrated Project on Arid Lands (IPAL) to find solutions to problems associated with the ecological degradation of arid lands. Studies carried out by the project over the next eight years were centered in Kenya’s most arid district, Marsabit.

Half a century later it’s worth reviewing IPAL’s findings and recommendations, as well as its long-term impact on understanding and managing Kenya’s (and Eastern Africa’s) arid land ecosystems. You can do that at https://storiesofeastafrica.com/integrated-project-on-arid-lands-ipal-marsabit-district-kenya/

Understanding Burseraceae: Trees of Eastern Africa

Understanding Burseraceae: Trees of Eastern Africa

Commiphora bushland in eastern Hiraan Region, Somalia (Photo: Peter Kuchar)

THE BURSERACEAE

Those of you who downloaded digital copies of The Burseraceae by Kuchar and Gillett on storiesofeastafrica.com will welcome the updated version now available at Kuchar & Gillett – The Burseraceae (Dec 2025).

For those unfamiliar with the term, Burseraceae is a family of shrubs and small trees. In Somalia, it comprises two genera, Boswellia and Commiphora, the latter probably the most diverse, abundant, economically important, yet worst understood and documented genus of woody plants in the Horn of Africa. This report not only explains why but also includes information (Somali names, uses etc.) about Burseraceae species in (pre-1989) Central Somalia, not to mention a very useful vegetative key for identifying them. 

A commiphora tree showing the species’s iconic contorted appearance.

Author: JMK, C.C.C-Share Alike 4.0 International license

FREE DOWNLOADS OF HARD-TO-GET DOCUMENTS ON THE RANGELANDS OF SOUTHERN SOMALIA

FREE DOWNLOADS OF HARD-TO-GET DOCUMENTS ON THE RANGELANDS OF SOUTHERN SOMALIA

Featured image: Densities of goats November / December 1983

This announces the availability of free downloads of hard-to-find documents on the rangelands of Southern Somalia, an area larger than Great Britain. These include 2 published papers, 15 reports and 87 maps. Twenty-six of the maps compare wet and dry season densities of dynamic resources, including livestock, wildlife, cropping and seasonal habitation. Publication dates range from 1980 to 1992. https://storiesofeastafrica.com/the-southern-rangelands-of-somalia-2/

Free Downloads of Documents on Central Somalia Rangelands

Free Downloads of Documents on Central Somalia Rangelands

Free Downloads on Central Somalia Rangelands

Free Downloads on Central Somalia Rangelands

Featured image: A village in Central Somalia

Updated Range Management Handbook of Kenya

Updated Range Management Handbook of Kenya

Production risk due to lack of rainfall in Marsabit District

Now available for free downloads: digitized copies of the 23 reports (3 volumes) comprising the Range Management Handbook of Kenya.

For information on rangeland resources, climatology, livestock diseases, constraints facing range development, and much more, go to the sidebar and click on Range Management Handbook of Kenya. Alternatively, click on https://storiesofeastafrica.com/range-management-handbook-of-kenya/

Some examples of newly available reports / maps appear below.

District-wide maps provide inventories of natural resources and their ecological status

Environmental degradation is ongoing in the rangelands of East Africa. This guide shows how to identify and monitor soil erosion in arid and semi-arid lands.

Camels, which typify arid rangelands, have, in recent years, also become a presence in semi-arid rangelands. See this report for tips on how to manage them.