Mapping the vegetation of Kuwait through reconnaissance soil survey

Previous studies on the vegetation of Kuwait showed dominance of five plant communities; however. due to both natural and human factors, the vegetatio n has been altered. In the present study, a vegetation map was prepared by integrating soil information and vegetation information in a Geographic Inf ormation System (GIS). A reconnaissance field survey was conducted at scale 1:100,000 for the entire state excluding urban, agricultural and restricte d areas. Some 8351 observation-points were assessed for vegetation and soil s covering an area of 1,670,209 ha. A vegetation map was prepared constitut ing eight vegetation map units. In comparison with previous studies, this s tudy showed alteration in the distribution of plant communities. Perennial shrubs constitute about 27% of the surveyed area while perennial grass and sedge constitute 67.9%. The current status of vegetation show intensive lan d degradation. The vegetation units can be managed after considering potent ial and status of the dominating plant community and soil types. (C) 2001 A cademic Press.