Boorama plains (6863)
Somalia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Boorama plains
Central coordinates: Latitude: 9.6000, Longitude: 43.7833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1500 to 1662
Area of KBA (km2): 442.454
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Boorama (Buramo) plains lie on the border with Ethiopia, between Hargeysa, Boorama and the frontier town of Tog Wajaale (Togo Chale). The principal habitat consists of undulating plains covered with short, open grasses and Acacia scrub interrupted by rocky outcrops.
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 Tables 2 and 3 for key species. This is the only known locality for Heteromirafra archeri and one of two for Onychognathus salvadorii. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals which occur, or that used to do so, include Oryx beisa (LR/cd), Tragelaphus imberbis (LR/cd), Litocranius walleri (LR/cd), Gazella soemmerringii (VU), Dorcatragus megalotis (VU), and Oreotragus oreotragus (LR/cd).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Livestock, particularly camels, are ranged widely throughout the area but the intensity of grazing/browsing is not thought to be high. A relatively small, but probably increasing, proportion of the area is cultivated. However, the refugee camps that used to occur in the area are now gone.