This report is ostensibly about land quality indicators (LQIs). However, anyone who reads it will find a useful compilation of advice, experience and opinion on why land quality information is important for sustainable development and how it can be used more effectively for planning and decision making. But the report also poses as many questions as it answers, which in itself reflects the diversity of viewpoints on indicators.

(Extract from Introduction)BRThis report elaborates the design of a local level natural resources monitoring and evaluation (MandE) system that assesses the status of the natural resources and the impact of development interventions on the status of the natural resources and the socio-economic systems of Somalia Using both conventional and participatory approaches, methods and tools. It incorporates the following: br• Ways to involve stakeholders in the Mand E process: br• A process for identifying indicative issues to be monitored in the various production systemsbr• A process for identifying indicators of change at local level in both the biophysical and socio-economic systemsbr• Appropriate participatory approaches, took, and methods for measuring changes in the selected indicatorsbr• A data storage and analysis system that harmonises the quantitative conventional monitoring data and the qualitative participatory monitoring data: br• A mechanism through which results of the MandE feed back into and strengthen the policy formulation, planning and management processes: br• Explores the linkages with macro level MandE system br• Requirements for implementation (personnel, training) are identified. The following questions guided formulation of the system: br• What is to be monitored: why/what is the monitoring intended to achievefor whom: what approach will be used? The system is designed to monitor impact of projects on both the natural resources and people, and to meet the needs and requirements of various stakeholders involved in the Rehabilitation Projects. These include donors, project staff and local communities. The proposed system builds on monitoring and evaluation methods and tools formulated and tested by IUCN and International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The principals of participatory planning designed by Andrew Inglis (IUCN, 1997) and the FAOandrsquos Community Forestry Manual 2 (FAO, 1993).

The General Terms of Reference for this study, are as defined by the EU Somalia Unit, following liaison with the Consultants, and exclude the study of the Jowhar Sugar Estate and associated works. This study is focused primarily on the reactivation of the Jowhar Offstream Storage Project (JOSP) as a means of flood control. The added benefit of water storage for use during the dry season is considered supplementary at this stage. brThe Terms of Reference of the study can be summarised as follows:ul liInvestigate the present condition of the FA0 Canal, the storage reservoir and associated water control structures, which together form the Jowhar Offstream Storage Project (JOSP)./li; li Determine the infrastructure rehabilitation needs for the JOSP, with a view to restoring the flood control function. /li; liDraft Terms of Reference for further studies to address the irrigation and agriculture related problems within the project area. /li; /ul

During the hostilities in Somalia the main target of destruction by the rival warring factions were the rural water points, As a result, the Somali pastoral communities are currently exposed to poor rain seasons. European Development funded projects and other donors rehabilitated water points in a number of rural and urban centres. The study concerns an assessment of water rehabilitation project activities funded by the European Union (EU) in Somalia. The activities that will be under assessment include the water project by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and OXFAM Quebec. The ADRA Project is situated in the Middle Shabelle Region, while the Oxfam Quebec project is situated in the Hiraan region. Both projects have been started up during the1994 as water rehabilitation project. The consultant assisted by local experts, having discussed with the authorities and elders concerned and surveyed the regions, will evaluate the projects completed or currently undertaken. In addition, sufficient data will be produced which will assist the EC Somalia Unit to undertake the funding of rehabilitation of rural! water supply points. The consultant will have to examine the movement of the pastoral communities and the environmental impact of the current proposed interventions.

This publication is actually a series of lecture notes handouts in Statistics and stochastic proceses in hydrology. They were prepared by the author for presentation of lectures for the international course for hydrologists at the international Institute for Infrastructural, Hydraulic and Enviromental Engineering (IIIHEE) at Delft in the Netherlands.