Eritrean coastal desert
Encyclopedia
The Eritrean coastal desert ecoregion
is a a harsh sand and gravel strip along the southern part of the coast of Eritrea
and the Red Sea
coast of Djibouti
. This coast is of ecological importance as a channel for the mass migration of birds of prey.
in Djibouti.
, Cymbopogon schoenanthus, Panicum turgidum
, and Lasiurus scindicus, along with some Umbrella thorn Acacia tortilis
and Acacia asak trees and Rhigozum somalense and Caesalpinia erianthera shrubs.
migration routes in the world as birds such as buzzards and eagles make their way to Africa for the winter along the Red Sea coast and across the Bab-el-Mandeb
strait. Animals found here include sea turtles and gazelles including Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas), Soemmerring’s gazelle (Gazella soemmerringii) and Salt’s dik-dik (Madoqua saltiana). There are three near-endemic reptiles Ogaden burrowing asp (Atractaspis leucomelas
), Ragazzi's cylindrical skink (Chalcides ragazzii
), and the gecko (Hemidactylus flaviviridis
).
in Eritrea. However grazing of livestock has reduced the natural vegetation, there are no protected areas and there is potential for further change to the area with the completion of the planned coast road from Djibouti to Eritrea. Hunting of the gazelles, turtles and seabirds occurs.
Ecoregion
An ecoregion , sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than an ecozone and larger than an ecosystem. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, geographically distinct assemblages of natural...
is a a harsh sand and gravel strip along the southern part of the coast of Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
and the Red Sea
Red Sea
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez...
coast of Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
. This coast is of ecological importance as a channel for the mass migration of birds of prey.
Location and description
The ecoregion consists of a coastal strip in Eritrea's Southern Red Sea Region continuing to along the Red Sea coast to ObockObock
Obock is a small port town in Djibouti. It is located on the northern shore of the Gulf of Tadjoura, where it opens out into the Gulf of Aden. The population in 2003 was about 8,300 inhabitants....
in Djibouti.
Flora
The flora of the coastal strip consists of herbs and grasses suited to the dry climate such as Aerva javanicaAerva javanica
Aerva javanica is a species of plant in the Amaranthaceae family. It has a native distribution from Northern Africa to south western regions of Western Asia....
, Cymbopogon schoenanthus, Panicum turgidum
Panicum turgidum
Panicum turgidum is an old world clumping desert bunchgrass of the Panicum genus.-Distribution:It is common across the Sahara and Arabia, from Senegal to Pakistan, and known by the a number of common names, most widely as Taman, tuman, or thaman in Egypt and Arabia; merkba or markouba in...
, and Lasiurus scindicus, along with some Umbrella thorn Acacia tortilis
Acacia tortilis
Acacia tortilis, the Umbrella Thorn Acacia, also known as Umbrella Thorn and Israeli Babool, is a medium to large canopied tree native primarily to the savanna and Sahel of Africa , but also occurring in the Middle East....
and Acacia asak trees and Rhigozum somalense and Caesalpinia erianthera shrubs.
Fauna
This is one of the busiest raptorBird of prey
Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
migration routes in the world as birds such as buzzards and eagles make their way to Africa for the winter along the Red Sea coast and across the Bab-el-Mandeb
Bab-el-Mandeb
The Bab-el-Mandeb meaning "Gate of Grief" in Arabic , is a strait located between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula, Djibouti and Eritrea, north of Somalia, in the Horn of Africa, and connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden...
strait. Animals found here include sea turtles and gazelles including Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas), Soemmerring’s gazelle (Gazella soemmerringii) and Salt’s dik-dik (Madoqua saltiana). There are three near-endemic reptiles Ogaden burrowing asp (Atractaspis leucomelas
Atractaspis leucomelas
Atractaspis leucomelas, or the Ogaden burrowing asp, is a species of venomous snake in the Atractaspididae family.-Etymology:The specific epithet, leucomelas, is derived from New Latin leuco and Greek μέλας , and refers to this snake's "white and black" coloration.-Geographic range:It is endemic...
), Ragazzi's cylindrical skink (Chalcides ragazzii
Chalcides ragazzii
The Ragazzi's Cylindrical Skink, is a large, pentadactyl species of skink. It lives from Algeria , Niger, northern Somalia and northern Kenya to Ethiopia, Eritrea, and south-eastern Sahara. It was named after the collector of the holotype, Dr. V. Ragazzi....
), and the gecko (Hemidactylus flaviviridis
Hemidactylus flaviviridis
Hemidactylus flaviviridis is a species of gecko. Its common name is Yellow-bellied House Gecko.-Distribution:Egypt ; Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Nepal; Pakistan, India/Bengal, Socotra Island ; N Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, EritreaType locality: Insel Massaua,...
).
Threats and preservation
The coast is sparsely populated with the only town of any size the small port of AssabAssab
Assab is a port city in the Southern Red Sea Region of Eritrea on the west coast of the Red Sea. In 1989, it had a population of 39,600. Assab possesses an oil refinery, which was shut down in 1997 for economic reasons...
in Eritrea. However grazing of livestock has reduced the natural vegetation, there are no protected areas and there is potential for further change to the area with the completion of the planned coast road from Djibouti to Eritrea. Hunting of the gazelles, turtles and seabirds occurs.