Somalia, located at the Horn of Africa, has a natural environment shaped by its extensive Indian Ocean coastline, the longest in mainland Africa. This contributes to a varied landscape supporting diverse biodiversity, from arid plains to marine ecosystems.
Geographic Features and Climate Patterns
Somalia features an extensive coastline, stretching over 3,300 kilometers along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The northern region has hilly terrain, with elevations between 900 and 2,000 meters above sea level. Southern and central areas consist mainly of flat plateaus, less than 180 meters in altitude.
The climate is hot and dry, with arid and semi-arid conditions. Average daily maximum temperatures range from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius (86 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit), though coastal areas are more moderate due to oceanic influences. Rainfall is irregular and varies, with the northeast receiving 50-150 millimeters annually, while the southwest can receive around 600 millimeters per year.
Diverse Habitats and Ecosystems
Somalia’s varied topography and climate create distinct natural environments. Along its extensive coastline, marine ecosystems thrive, including coral reefs in areas like the Bajuni Archipelago and along the Gulf of Aden. Coastal waters also feature seagrass beds and mangrove forests, particularly abundant along the southwest coast. These habitats support diverse aquatic life.
Inland, the landscape is dominated by arid and semi-arid drylands and savannas. Southern and northwestern regions support dense thornbush savanna with succulents and acacia species due to higher rainfall. Further north, high plateaus feature wide, grassy plains. Northeastern parts and much of the northern coastal plain are nearly devoid of vegetation, except for wadi areas and moist zones in the northern mountains. Riverine bushland is found along the Juba and Shabelle rivers in the south, which originate in Ethiopia and flow towards the Indian Ocean.
Unique Wildlife and Plant Life
Somalia’s biodiversity includes species adapted to its environment, with a notable level of endemism. The country is home to over 175 mammal species and 671 bird species, with approximately 836 of its over 3,000 recorded plant species being endemic. Desert-adapted mammals include the Somali wild ass, the endangered dibatag (Clarke’s gazelle), the beira antelope, and Speke’s gazelle. Other mammals found across regions include lions, Somali cheetahs, reticulated giraffes, and various antelopes.
Birdlife is diverse, with ten endemic species such as the Warsangli linnet and Djibouti francolin. Migratory and resident bird species are also present, with 24 important bird areas identified, 12 of which are wetland-based. Marine life in Somali waters is abundant, featuring small cetaceans like common, spinner, spotted, humpback, and bottlenose dolphins. Turtle species such as loggerhead, hawksbill, olive ridley, and leatherback have been recorded, with green turtles nesting along the east coast.
Characteristic plant life includes drought-resistant shrubs and acacia trees, particularly in thornbush savannas. The northern coastal mountains and wadi areas support frankincense (from Boswellia species) and myrrh trees (Commiphora species), which are economically significant. Coastal vegetation includes six species of mangroves, primarily found along the southwest coast in areas like the Juba/Shebele estuary.
Environmental Pressures and Conservation Efforts
Somalia’s natural environment faces significant pressures. Droughts are a recurring challenge, exacerbated by unpredictable rainfall and increasing aridity. Land degradation is widespread, driven by deforestation for timber and charcoal, unsustainable farming, and overgrazing. Forest cover drastically reduced from an estimated 62% in 1980 to 10.3% by 2014, with millions of trees felled for charcoal between 2011 and 2017.
Coastal degradation is another concern, with unsustainable fishing practices, including illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, leading to a decline in marine resources and coral reefs. The illegal wildlife trade and poaching also threaten animal populations, with species like giraffes, zebras, oryx, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, and elephants having been decimated. Climate change intensifies these challenges, leading to more frequent extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, impacting agriculture and livelihoods.
Conservation initiatives face considerable hurdles, including weak institutional capacity, limited funding, and a lack of effective environmental governance. Despite the declaration of around 21 protected areas, effective management and formal protection have been largely absent since 1991. Efforts are underway to integrate environmental considerations into security strategies, with a Ministry of Climate Change and Environment established and a National Environment Policy developed. International support, such as a $95 million project from the Green Climate Fund, aims to revitalize degraded land and rebuild water infrastructure, highlighting the need for collaborative action to protect Somalia’s natural heritage.