Yemen: Protecting Socotran jewels from extinction

Conservation of the endangered endemic Boswellia trees on Socotra Island (Yemen)

Partner: Mendel University
Years: 2023-2025, phase 2

Frankincense trees, economically important species that are intimately intertwined with human history since millennia, are currently threatened on Socotra Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mendel University joins forces with the government, grassroots NGOs and the local communities to save local populations of Boswellia tree species from extinction.

Nothofagus Frankincense trees are economically important species that are intimately intertwined with human history since millennia, and currently threatened in the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen). Trade of olibanum and other kinds of resin has been a common practice on Socotra since antiquity. Twelve endemic taxa have been described from the island making Socotra the area with the largest radiation of Boswellia species globally. Despite being a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site known for its unique ecosystems harboring a high proportion of endemic species, the biodiversity on Socotra is increasingly affected by human-induced and climatic impacts. Recent changes in land management practices by local people cause overgrazing, resulting in the lack of tree regeneration and ultimately leading to decline, even extinction of local populations. Moreover, locally intensified cyclones and prolonged droughts caused by global climate change, have recently destroyed mature frankincense trees across the islands. This new phase targets an evolutionary unique group of insular trees, continuing a comprehensive inventory of frankincense tree populations to help conservation planning, in situ seed germination and woodland restoration through direct on-the-ground conservation measures. The portfolio of species will be expanded to include Boswellia’s sister genus Commiphora (with four endemic species) and several Critically Endangered endemic tree species known from only a few individuals (Cadaba insularis, Dirachma socotrana, Angkalanthus oligophylla). The project will also strongly focus on further training and awareness the local communities to ensure a long-term conservation strategy, increasing the resilience of trees with high ecological and cultural importance.