Gawaan Valley, Hobyo district
Stretching down the southeast coast from the Horn of Africa, the Hobyo Grassland and Shrubland ecoregion consists of white and orange sand dunes dominated by perennial dune grasslands and sedges. Although unpredictable rainfall and inaccessibility of the area have prevented thorough exploration, less than 1000 vascular plant species are likely to be found here, with high species endemism. This region also supports six endemic species of birds, mammals and reptiles.
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Hobyo_gr ... shrublandsThis area is a center of endemism for plants. Botanical exploration of this region started at the end of the 19th century, but there are no reliable estimates for the number of endemic plants. Unpredictable rainfall (which controls phrenology), political instability, and the physical inaccessibility of the site have hindered explorations. Less than 1000 vascular plant species are estimated to occur here, but these include several endemics and species of phytogeographical interest. Unusual communities grow in mesic limestone gorges, including Buxus hildebrantii, Maytenus undata, and Vepris eugeniifolia. Dirachma somalensis, one of two endangered species in the Dirachmaceae family, has its richest known locality in limestone gorges in this ecoregion. Two other endemics include Amphiasma gracilicaulis and Lochia parvibracta (two other Lochia species are found on Socotra and Oman). Plants have adapted to the climate in several ways. Succulents are common, and the monotypic Puntia genus is found in this ecoregion. Many of the endemics are cushion plants shaped by the sand-laden winds.
There are two strictly endemic reptiles, Haackgreerius miopus and Latastia cherchii, and five other species of reptile that are nearly endemic to this ecoregion. Two strictly endemic mammals are also found, the silver dik-dik (Madoqua piacentinii, VU) and the Somali golden mole (Chlorotalpa tytonis, CR). A number of rare larger mammals are also found: dibatag (Ammodorcas clarkei, VU), Soemmerrings gazelle (Gazella soemmerringii, VU), Salts dikdik (Madoqua saltiana) and Speke's gazelle (Gazella spekei, VU). These all have quite restricted ranges in the Horn of Africa.
There are also two strictly endemic bird species: Ash's lark (Mirafra ashi, EN) and the Obbia lark (Spizocorys obbiensis, DD), which are restricted to the coastal fixed-dune grasslands. The ecoregion thus counts as an Endemic Bird Area, the Central Somali Coast.
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