Djibouti Xeric Shrublands
| Djibouti Xeric Shrublands | |
|---|---|
 | |
 location of the Djibouti Xeric Shrublands | |
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Afrotropical |
| Biome | deserts and xeric shrublands |
| Borders | |
| Geography | |
| Area | 152,300 km2 (58,800 sq mi) |
| Countries | |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
| Protected | 4.68%[1] |
The Djibouti Xeric Shrublands ecoregion is a semi-desert strip on or near the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden coasts in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. This ecoregion lies mainly between sea level and 800 meters (m) elevation. There are, however, many hills and massifs, which range up to 1300 m as well as outstanding fault-induced depressions, such as the Danakil, lying as low as 155 m below sea level. This region is extremely active tectonically, experiencing many earthquakes and intermittently active volcanoes. Rainfall is very low and yearly averages range from 100 to 200 millimeters (mm), with less rain falling closer to the coast. There are many species of interest, including the endemic Archer's lark (Heteromirafra archeri), a species of dragon tree (Dracaena ombet), and a large suite of desert ungulates, including the last viable population of African wild ass (Equus africanus somalicus).[2][3]
Location and description
This ecoregion extends inland from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, including the
The region is extremely active tectonically, and it experiences many earthquakes associated with the continuing enlargement of the Rift Valley. Volcanoes in the ecoregion are also intermittently active. Basement rocks are composed mainly of Tertiary lava flows, although there are also Quaternary basinal deposits at the northern end and pre-Cretaceous basinal deposits on the northern coast of Somalia. Soils developed over the lava deposits are mainly lithosols, while regosols are predominant on the Quaternary and pre-Cretaceous basinal deposits. There are very few permanent watercourses. The most notable is the Awash River of Ethiopia that terminates in a series of lakes near the border with Djibouti.[2]
Climate
The
Flora
The predominant vegetation dry shrub steppe and grassland.
Mangroves occur along the coast, in muddy wadi mouths and inlets.[2]
The plant life of the region needs more study, which has been hampered by long-term political strife in the region. Due largely to political instability in the region over the last 30 years, many elements of the fauna and flora remain poorly known. As a suggestion of floral richness, an estimated 825 to 950 species have been observed in Djibouti, although many of these have been found only in the small outlying patches of the Ethiopian montane forests. These outliers are part of the Day Forest and Mabla Mountains above 1,100 m in Djibouti.[2]
Fauna
Mammals found here include the last
People
Threats and conservation
The conservation status of this ecoregion is not good, with few protected areas and lack of enforcement in existing ones. Habitats however have been degraded, mainly by grazing of livestock as well as cutting of trees for firewood and clearing of land for planting.
Protected areas
4.68% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas include
References
- ^ a b c "Ethiopian xeric grasslands and shrublands". DOPA Explorer. Accessed 27 February 2022. [1]
- ^ a b c d e f g "Ethiopian xeric grasslands and shrublands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- ^ https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/djibouti-xeric-shrublands/
- . Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ Witsen, Deirdre (2012) Djibouti Biodiversity and Tropical Forests: 118/119 Assessment. US Forest Service Office of International Programs for the US Agency for International Development (USAID), November 2012. [2]
External links
- "Ethiopian xeric grasslands and shrublands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.