The major soils of the arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya in relation to soil and water conservation

Abstract

In this paper the arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya are defined in terms of the ratio. The arid and semiarid areas are those areas that have a rainfall over potential evaporation ratio (r/Eo) of less than 40%. These areas cover roughly 4S million hectares or 83% of the~ country. The major soils occurring in this area are described in terms of their susceptibility to erosion and conservation needs, particu1arly on grazing lands. The soils have been classified according to the FAO/Unenso Soil Map of the World Legena FAO, 1974). The paper also describes the various types of soil surveys that the Kenya Soil Survey has carried out in the arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya