Lascaanod - Taleex - Ceel Chebet (6864)
Somalia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Lascaanod - Taleex - Ceel Chebet
Central coordinates: Latitude: 9.0833, Longitude: 48.2667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 1000
Area of KBA (km2): 9617.52863
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site, also spelt Las Anod–Taleh–El Chebet, is a complex of proposed protected areas in north-central Somalia, to the north of the town of Garoowe. It includes a part of the Nugaal valley, through which runs a large seasonal watercourse that drains an extensive area of the northern plateau south-eastwards to the Indian Ocean. The area is principally semi-desert grassland and shrubland (c.600,000 ha) with some Acacia–Commiphora bushland and thicket (c.200,000 ha). There are some semi-permanent pools along the Nugaal valley. The site is rich in succulents.
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. Of the Somali–Masai biome species some, including Trachyphonus erythrocephalus, Alaemon hamertoni, Calandrella somalica, Pseudalaemon fremantlii, Pseudonigrita cabanisi and Onychognathus blythii, have been recorded from few other IBAs nationally. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals of conservation concern that occur, or which used to do so, include Acinonyx jubatus (VU), Equus africanus somalicus (CR), Oryx beisa (LR/cd), Gazella soemmerringii (VU) and Gazella spekei (VU).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The area comprises a proposed complex of National Park (Lascanood), Wildlife Reserve (Ceel Chebet) and Grazing Reserve (Taleex). The area suffers from excessive grazing pressure from domestic stock, particularly around the few semi-permanent pools in the area. Woodland remnants are under threat from conversion to charcoal.