Sof Omar (6286)
Ethiopia, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2011

National site name: Sof Omar

Central coordinates: Latitude: 6.9110, Longitude: 40.8070

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 1150 to 1450

Area of KBA (km²): 182.18504

Protected area coverage (%): 44.93

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Sof Omar is in the middle of Bale Zone, 120 km east of zonal capital Goba. With over 15 km of passages, Sof Omar is Ethiopia’s longest cave system. The Weyb river flows from its source in the Bale mountains, through the caves, finally joining the Genale river at Dolo on the border with Somalia. Before entering the caves, the river passes through a valley cut into the limestone. The sides of the valley, which comprise large fossil-rich limestone blocks, are covered with a wide variety of small trees, bushes and climbers. The more level areas and border of the river are covered in fine black soil that supports some larger Acacia and fig trees. The vegetation-type is described as Commiphora–Kirkia–Acacia woodland and bushland. Many species, such as the shrubs Commiphora monoica and Euphorbia baleënsis, and a crustacean are only known from this area (some also occurring at Shek Husein, site ET043). There are almost certainly as-yet- undescribed species in this isolated limestone area. The caves and the entrance area are a shrine named after the Muslim saint Shek Sof Omar. The shrine is well-visited by pilgrims, and is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. Many of the trees in the area, although small, produce hardwood prized for making charcoal, or coloured woods that are carved into household items. There is some cultivation, particularly in the higher-rainfall areas towards Ginir.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas) KBA identified in the process of compiling the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the East Afromontane Hotspot. Species taxonomy and threat category was based on IUCN Red List 2010-4.

Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 3 for key species. Sof Omar is an important site for Serinus xantholaema. The narrow limestone gorge adjacent to the cave entrance is where most recent records of this rare species originate. Records (between 1989 and 1996) of up to eight birds both from within the gorge and up to 8 km west of the bottom of the gorge suggest that the population is stable. Other species include the biome-restricted Spreo fischeri and Onychognathus salvadori (the first breeding record of which came from this site), and the uncommon Cercomela scotocerca. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.

Delineation rationale: 2010-02-03 (BL Secretariat): site area was not defined in the original IBA publication/inventory; here, it has been derived by GIS from the draft polygon.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | tourism/recreation

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Muslim pilgrims have been coming to Sof Omar for many centuries and the paths down to and around the cave entrance are well worn. However, the pilgrims and the local people share a common lifestyle that has not made excessive demands on the local resources. With increasing numbers of tourists this status quo is changing. Apart from camping, there is no provision for tourists to stay in the valley. Should a hotel or similar facility be planned for the area it will need to be carefully sited to avoid interfering with the habitats of the rare birds and plants found in the area.

Additional information