Cal Madow

Cal Madow
Arabic)
Geography
Cal Madow Location in the Somaliland Show map of Somaliland Cal Madow Cal Madow (Africa) Show map of Africa
Location	Sanaag,  Somaliland
Parent range	Ogo Mountains
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

Cal Madow (also Calmadow, Al Madow, Al Medu, or Al Mado;

The dense mountain forest sits at an altitude of between 700–800 m (2,300–2,600 ft) above

Despite the current changes in land use, Cal Madow has internationally valuable unexploited mineral deposits and unique natural habitats. It is considered a key area for oil exploration, and has a petroleum system identical to, and formerly contiguous with, those within the Republic of Yemen. Florally, Cal Madow has approximately 1,000 plant species, 200 of which are only found on this mountain range. The flora of Somalila, much of which constitutes unique genetic resources, contains more than 3000 species of vascular plants, and is thus much richer than that of the Sahel region in general. Of the 156 plant families observed in Somalia, about 21% are restricted to the northern part of the country, while 11% are found in the south. Somalilland houses a greater number of endemic plant species, many of which grow in the northern and eastern regions, notably in Cal Madow. Most of these species are herbs not found anywhere else in the world.

Cal Madow and adjacent areas also have richer

In January 1995, a team of

Furthermore, the area houses an important germplasm, which requires protection from overexploitation and destruction by humans. On the basis of the recent botanical survey in Cal Madow, the team recommended that the local forest should be conserved as a national monument, as it plays an important role in the mountain range's ecosystem and represents a valuable natural resource.

In addition, the forests offer unique opportunities for education and research. The agricultural benefit of clearing the forests, on the other hand, are negligible. The development of a

• Golis Mountains
• Cal Miskaad

References

Sources

• Thulin, M. (1994). "Cal Madow, Somalia and Hobyo, Somalia". In Davis, S. D.; Heywood, V. H.; Hamilton, C. (eds.). Centres of Plant Diversity, a guide and strategy for their conservation. Vol. 1. pp. 194–197.
• Calmadow Trust
• ECOTERRA Intl.
• "Somali montane xeric woodlands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.