Centuries-Old Surreal Trees Under Threat: Scientists Express Concern for Their Survival

The Fight for the Dragon’s Blood Trees of Socotra

On a windswept plateau high above the Arabian Sea, Sena Keybani carefully holds a sapling, a fledgling dragon’s blood tree that barely touches her ankle. This delicate plant is shielded by a makeshift fence of wood and wire, representing a species that is unique to the Yemeni island of Socotra, now grappling with severe threats from climate change.

“Seeing the trees die feels like losing one of your babies,” expressed Keybani, whose family operates a nursery focused on preserving this remarkable species.

Threatened Ecosystem and Environments

The dragon’s blood trees are famed for their canopy resembling mushrooms and the red sap that flows through their trunks. Once abundant, these iconic trees are now dwindling in number. The increasing frequency of severe cyclones, the grazing habits of invasive goats, and the ongoing civil unrest within Yemen—one of the world’s poorest nations suffering from a decade-long conflict—have placed both the species and its essential ecosystem on the brink of collapse.

Socotra, an isolate marvel located approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) off the Horn of Africa, is often likened to the Galapagos Islands. With over 825 plant species, more than a third of which are found nowhere else on Earth, Socotra boasts biological diversity that earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. Its unique flora includes the whimsical bottle trees with their bulbous trunks and the aromatic frankincense, which twist upward in gnarled patterns.

The Allure of Socotra’s Flora

Among these wonders, the dragon’s blood tree captures the imagination like no other, with its surreal form reminiscent of a Dr. Seuss narrative. Despite its remoteness, Socotra attracts roughly 5,000 tourists each year, many drawn by the mystical scenery of its dragon’s blood forests.

To ensure that tourism benefits the local community, visitors are required to hire local guides and camp under the management of Socotran families. The disappearance of these trees could devastate the tourism sector that provides livelihoods to many island residents.

<p"With the income we receive from tourism, we have a better quality of life than those on the mainland," shared Mubarak Kopi, who oversees tourism initiatives in Socotra.

Ecological Importance of the Dragon’s Blood Tree

Beyond being a botanical curiosity, the dragon’s blood tree is crucial to Socotra’s ecosystem. Its umbrella-like canopy serves a vital function, capturing fog and rain which it funnels into the soil, allowing surrounding plant life to flourish in the island’s arid climate.

“When you lose these trees, you lose everything—the soil, the water, the entire ecosystem,” remarked Kay Van Damme, a Belgian conservation biologist who has been actively involved in Socotra since 1999.

Experts like Van Damme warn that without some form of intervention, these trees could be lost within a few centuries, taking with them numerous other species that depend on the same ecosystem.

“As humans, we’ve managed to devastate significant portions of nature across many of the world’s islands,” he added. “Socotra is a place where we can genuinely make a difference. But if we do nothing, the outcome is on us.”

Impact of Climate Change and Extreme Weather

Increasingly intense cyclones exert tremendous pressure on the dragon’s blood trees. The Firmihin plateau, home to the island’s largest remaining dragon’s blood forest, is marked by the stunning contrast of thousands of expansive canopies set against rugged mountain peaks. However, this natural beauty faces unprecedented threats.

A 2017 study published in the journal Nature Climate Change noted a significant rise in the frequency of severe cyclones affecting the Arabian Sea, a trend that has catastrophic implications for Socotra’s dragon’s blood trees.

The devastation became particularly evident in 2015 when two highly intense cyclones struck the island, uprooting centuries-old trees, some of which had withstood storms for over 500 years. The destruction continued in 2018 with yet another severe cyclone.

As global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, experts warn that storm intensity will also escalate. “Climate models worldwide clearly indicate that conditions conducive to tropical cyclones will become more favorable,” noted Hiroyuki Murakami, a climate scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The Threat from Invasive Species

However, the challenges facing the dragon’s blood tree extend beyond storms. Unlike other tree species that can grow rapidly, the dragon’s blood tree grows at an agonizingly slow rate of only 2 to 3 centimeters (about 1 inch) per year. Sadly, by the time they reach maturity, many have been preyed upon by invasive goats.

These goats, which roam free and graze relentlessly on the island, pose a significant threat to young saplings before they can mature. The only habitats where these young trees can securely grow are within protected nurseries.

Alan Forrest, a biodiversity scientist at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s Centre for Middle Eastern Plants, highlights the alarming situation: “Most surveyed forests are over-mature, lacking young trees and seedlings. As older trees die off, there is minimal regeneration occurring.” Keybani’s family nursery stands as a rare refuge, protecting saplings from goat predation and allowing them to thrive.

“Within those nurseries and enclosures, the vegetation’s reproduction and age structure are significantly improved, enhancing resilience to climate change,” Forrest added.

Challenges of Conservation Amidst Conflict

While conservation efforts are underway, the ongoing civil war in Yemen presents a formidable obstacle. As the internationally recognized government, supported by Saudi Arabia, battles Houthi rebels—backed by Iran—the conflict has far-reaching implications that extend well beyond Yemen’s borders.

Houthi assaults on commercial shipping and nations like Israel have prompted retaliatory actions from Israeli and Western forces, further destabilizing the region and diverting attention away from pressing conservation needs.

The Yemeni government, amidst numerous crises, prioritizes immediate survival and functionality, as Abdulrahman Al-Eryani, an advisor at Gulf State Analytics, noted: “Policymakers are focused on stabilizing the country and maintaining essential services like water and electricity. Addressing climate issues is viewed as a luxury.”

The Future of Socotra’s Unique Ecosystem

With minimal national support, the responsibility for conservation largely falls on the island’s residents. Yet local resources are increasingly strained. Sami Mubarak, an ecotourism guide, expressed concerns over the condition of the nursery: “This structure’s fence, constructed from slanting posts and flimsy wire, has a short lifespan, succumbing to the elements within a few years.” He underscored the critical need for strong funding to establish nurseries equipped with durable materials such as cement fence posts.

“Currently, there are only a handful of small environmental projects—and that’s simply not enough. We urgently require the support of local authorities and the national government of Yemen to prioritize conservation initiatives,” he concluded.