Dida Galgalu desert (6417)
Kenya, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Dida Galgalu desert
Central coordinates: Latitude: 2.6667, Longitude: 38.0833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 600 to 800
Area of KBA (km2): 6187.09207
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This area comprises a vast expanse of arid, inhospitable black lava desert, stretching from c.20 km north of Marsabit town for at least 60 km on either side of the main Marsabit–Moyale road. The distributional limits of the special birds, and therefore the limits of the IBA, are unknown. Rainfall is erratic and unpredictable, averaging less than 200 mm/year. The nomadic Gabbra people inhabit the area, but there are no permanent settlements in this harsh, waterless terrain. The desert’s southern fringe is just within the Marsabit National Reserve, but it is otherwise unprotected.
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)
Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 3 for key species. This appears to be the stronghold of the enigmatic, Near Threatened, restricted-range Mirafra williamsi, and most recent records have been from this area. The species is locally common but inconspicuous in rocky lava desert with sparse grass and low Barleria shrubs. Other notable species include Neotis heuglinii, Merops revoilii, Spizocorys personata (probably the largest population in Kenya), Galerida theklae, Eremopterix signata and (on the northern fringes) Spreo albicapillus. Many Somali–Masai biome species occur in the general area of Marsabit, but it is not known how many are present in the desert itself. 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: not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Little information is available, but this habitat is unlikely to be under threat. Very little is known about Mirafra williamsi, and an ecological survey of this species would yield useful information. The lark should also be looked for on the slopes of Mount Marsabit, the type locality; if a viable population is present there, the National Park could be incorporated into the IBA.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Flight paths | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | War, civil unrest & military exercises | Only in the future | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Turner (1997).