Hobyo (6866)
Somalia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Hobyo
Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.7667, Longitude: 48.6167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 50 to 200
Area of KBA (km2): 1523.33502
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site lies to the north of the coastal town of Hobyo (Obbia), a little way inland from the Indian Ocean, and consists principally of semi-desert grassland and shrubland. It also includes some areas of coastal dunes which are fixed, vegetated and mostly 20–60 m high.
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. The site incorporates the type-locality of Spizocorys obbiensis. Although, to date, only a relatively small number of Somali–Masai biome species has been recorded, these include some, such as Mirafra collaris, which occur at few other IBAs in Somalia; and the list is undoubtedly incomplete. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals of conservation concern that occur, or which used to do so, include Panthera leo (VU), Acinonyx jubatus (VU), Hyaena hyaena (LR/nt), Oryx beisa (LR/cd), Ammodorcas clarkei (VU), Madoqua piacentinii (VU), Gazella soemmerringii (VU) and G. spekei (VU). The area is also important for a number of the plants endemic to the coastal strip.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site has been proposed as a Wildlife Reserve. The area is subject to heavy seasonal grazing by domestic stock. Fuelwood-cutting is also a threat to woody vegetation.