On the windswept heights of Yemen’s Socotra Island, Sena Keybani tends a small sapling of the dragon’s blood tree, a species unique to the island and facing dire threats from climate change. This young plant, enclosed by a makeshift barrier, represents a last chance for a species once abundant but now dwindling due to severe weather events, invasive species, and the ongoing civil war in Yemen.
Keybani, whose family operates a nursery dedicated to conserving these trees, expresses deep sorrow over their decline, likening it to losing a child. The dragon’s blood tree is remarkable for its distinctive red sap and umbrella-like canopy, which has become increasingly rare in the face of harsh cyclones and overgrazing by destructive goat populations.
Socotra, often compared to the Galapagos Islands for its rich biodiversity, is home to unique flora, including over 825 plant species, with a significant number existing nowhere else. This natural wealth has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. Many visitors come to experience the island’s surreal landscapes and contribute to the local economy, yet the well-being of this industry is closely tied to the health of its ecosystems.
Local ecotourism provides better living conditions for Socotrans compared to those on the Yemeni mainland; however, experts warn that without effective conservation, the trees—and the support they provide to the local ecosystem—could vanish, leading to broader ecological collapse. The dragon’s blood trees’ canopies play a crucial role in capturing moisture, supporting a vast array of plant life that thrives in Socotra’s arid climate.
However, invasive goats and increased cyclone intensity, exacerbated by climate change, are hindering the regeneration of these trees. Dragon’s blood trees grow very slowly, maturing at only 2 to 3 centimetres per year, putting them at risk of extinction. Conservationists are striving to reverse this decline through protective nurseries, but ongoing conflict in Yemen hampers these efforts. Resources are limited, and the local community largely bears the responsibility of conservation.
Calling for strengthened conservation initiatives, local guides state that without national prioritisation, these environmental efforts remain underfunded. The fragility of existing nurseries reflects the urgent need for more robust solutions. As the island’s unique natural heritage faces imminent danger, both local and global action is critical to preserve Socotra’s extraordinary biodiversity for future generations.