Centuries-Old Surreal Trees at Risk: Scientists Sound the Alarm for Their Survival

On the beautiful island of Socotra, Yemen, a sapling of the rare dragon’s blood tree struggles to survive. Sena Keybani holds it close. She runs a nursery dedicated to preserving this unique species, once abundant on the island but now facing serious threats from climate change.

“Seeing the trees die is heartbreaking,” she says. The dragon’s blood trees, known for their distinctive shape and crimson sap, are dwindling due to severe cyclones, invasive goats, and ongoing turmoil in Yemen, one of the world’s poorest countries, mired in a long civil war.

Socotra, sometimes called the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, is about 150 miles off the Horn of Africa. It’s famed for its rich biodiversity, boasting over 825 unique plant species. Sadly, the dragon’s blood tree, with its striking appearance, is becoming less common. If it disappears, so could the local tourism industry that relies on its allure. Currently, the island attracts around 5,000 tourists each year who are encouraged to engage with the local economy through guided tours. Without these trees, many livelihoods would be at stake.

Kay Van Damme, a Belgian conservation biologist, points out that the dragon’s blood tree plays a crucial role in Socotra’s ecosystem by fostering conditions for other plants. “If we lose the trees, we lose the entire ecosystem,” he warns. According to a 2021 study, climate change is already affecting the island’s weather patterns, leading to more intense storms that further threaten these rare trees.

Studies from *Nature Climate Change* report a significant increase in cyclone intensity across the Arabian Sea in recent years. A notable example is the storms that hit Socotra in 2015, severely damaging ancient trees that had weathered countless storms. As climate models predict more frequent cyclones, the outlook for Socotra’s unique flora becomes increasingly daunting.

Besides storms, another threat looms: invasive goats. Free-roaming goats feast on young trees, preventing them from growing. While other trees can grow up to 35 inches annually, dragon’s blood trees take their time. They grow merely an inch a year, leaving them vulnerable to extinction if young saplings keep getting eaten. Conservationists emphasize the importance of protective enclosures to allow saplings to grow without interference.

However, the local efforts are complicated by Yemen’s ongoing civil war. The conflict hampers support for conservation and focuses government resources elsewhere. “Addressing climate issues would be a luxury,” says Abdulrahman Al-Eryani, an advisor on regional risk issues. Locals, like ecotourism guide Sami Mubarak, express that more robust support is needed if they are to preserve Socotra’s unique ecosystem.

Despite these challenges, dedicated efforts continue. Keybani’s nursery is one of several spaces where young dragon’s blood trees can grow, unfazed by goat grazing. Strengthening these initiatives and providing resources is key to securing a future for these remarkable trees.

For more on environmental issues and conservation efforts, visit the [AP News environmental hub](https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment).

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