GRASS COVER DISTRIBUTION IN THE CENTRAL NAMIB - A RAPID METHOD TO ASSESS REGIONAL AND LOCAL RAINFALL PATTERNS OF ARID REGIONS

Grass cover distribution in the northern section of the Namib-Naukluft Park in Namibia was estimated following the rain seasons of 1989, 1990 and 1991. High cover of grass occurred particularly in the vicinity of rocky outcrops and in drainage lines. Grass distribution is related to the gradient of increasing rainfall from West to East, the soil moisture pattern influenced by runoff and the distribution of seeds in and above the soil surface. The spatial distribution of grass patches showed a certain predictability, thus providing baseline data for range management.