PASTORALISM AND PLANT COVER IN THE LOWER SHABELLE REGION, SOUTHERN SOMALIA

A vegetation and rangeland survey has been carried out in the lower Sh abelle region, Southern Somalia, with the aim of evaluating the natura l vegetation as a source of forage for grazing animals. In this framew ork, four different vegetation types have been recognized and mapped u sing remote sensing techniques; general vegetation characteristics, ma inly floristic and physiognomic aspects, are described. Dynamic relati onships between these vegetation types are also outlined.