Socotra is considered the" jewel "of biodiversity in the Arabian Sea. The geological isolation of Socotra archipelago and its fierce heat and drought have combined to create a unique and spectacular endemic flora (which may therefore be vulnerable to introduced species such as goats and to climate change). Surveys have shown that over a third of the 800 or that plant species of Socotra are found nowhere else.
One of the most striking of Socotra's plants tree Dragon's Blood (Dracaena cinnabari), an odd-looking, umbrella-shaped tree. Its red sap was the dragon's blood of the ancients, sought after as a medicine and dye. Another unusual plant is Dorstenia gigas.
The island group also has a fairly rich bird fauna, including some types of endemic birds, such as the Socotra Starling Onychognathus frater, the Socotra Sunbird Nectarinia balfouri, Socotra Sparrow Passer insularis and Socotra Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus socotranus.
marine biodiversity around Socotra is rich, characterized by a unique mix of species that have their origin in Farflung biogeographic regions: the western part Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Arabia, East Africa and the wider Indo-Pacific.
The island was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as World Natural Heritage site in July 2008. The European Union has supported the measure, calls on both UNESCO and the International Protection of the Environment to categorize the island archipelago between environmental heritage.
One of the most striking of Socotra's plants tree Dragon's Blood (Dracaena cinnabari), an odd-looking, umbrella-shaped tree. Its red sap was the dragon's blood of the ancients, sought after as a medicine and dye. Another unusual plant is Dorstenia gigas.
The island group also has a fairly rich bird fauna, including some types of endemic birds, such as the Socotra Starling Onychognathus frater, the Socotra Sunbird Nectarinia balfouri, Socotra Sparrow Passer insularis and Socotra Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus socotranus.
marine biodiversity around Socotra is rich, characterized by a unique mix of species that have their origin in Farflung biogeographic regions: the western part Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Arabia, East Africa and the wider Indo-Pacific.
The island was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as World Natural Heritage site in July 2008. The European Union has supported the measure, calls on both UNESCO and the International Protection of the Environment to categorize the island archipelago between environmental heritage.
Wikipedia: SOCOTRA
Dracaena cinnabari
Dorstenia gigas
- THE ARCHIPELAGIC SOCOTRA by John H. Lienhard : http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi1896.htm
- Here is a beautiful piece, written in 1995 on the ecology of the archipelago of Socotra . http://www.aiys.org/webdate/wran.html
- This website offers some beautiful photos of flora and fauna of Socotra (including the Dragon's Blood Tree) and ASR Ecotour advertising: http : / / www.viewzone.com / yemen / socotra.html
- E. Sohlman, an attempt Save the 'Galápagos of the Indian Ocean . "Science, Vol 303, Issue 5665, 19 March 2004, pg. 1753.
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photos: jan_vandorpe
photos: jan_vandorpe
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