Liben plains and Negele woodlands (6296)
Ethiopia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Liben plains and Negele woodlands
Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.1730, Longitude: 39.7010
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1000 to 2000
Area of KBA (km2): 913.28408
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Liben plains are an extensive area of flat land that stretches east and south of Negele, the capital of Borana Zone. Negele is over 310 km south-east of Awassa. The plains have formed over an area of bedrock (which includes limestone) between the Genale and Dawa rivers. Excepting some artificial ponds, there are no significant water-bodies in this area. Starting at 1,000 m at the edge of the Genale river gorge, the ground rises gently to over 2,000 m. The site is centred on a flat area at 1,500–1,550 m, 10–40 km south-east of Negele town. Woodlands (comprising small trees and shrubs) border the area, more than 95% of which is covered with long grass and scattered Acacia bushes. Little is known of the plant species involved. The plains have previously been used as a military training site and had a military airport.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. Heteromirafra sidamoensis is known only from this area. It has been found 12 km south-east and 2 km south of Negele. Birds probably referring to this species have been seen at other locations nearby on the tracks to Arero and Filtu. A survey in June 1996 recorded 44 species, including Calandrella somalica, Cisticola nanus and Neotis heuglinii. Other Somali–Masai biome species known to occur include Nectarinia hunteri, Tmetothylacus tenellus, Batis perkeo and Laniarius ruficeps. Spreo albicapillus and Passer motitensis have been recorded breeding. The site is also a known location for the uncommon Francolinus coqui. 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 | urban/industrial/transport
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The Liben plains and Negele woodlands are unprotected. The major threats to the site are from the development of new settlements. However, there are plans to develop part of the area as a new airport for Negele. The Borana–Oromo pastoralists use the area to graze their animals, the woodlands being important to them in the dry season. However, the woodlands can also harbour ticks, hence, before the vegetation dries, the Borana burn the area to control the ticks without destroying the trees and bushes.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Ash and Gullick (1989), Ash and Olson (1985), Collar and Stuart (1985), Erard (1975b), Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society Survey Team (1996), Friis (1992), Haugen and Torstein (1992), Robertson (1995).