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ABSTRACTS
17th International Soqotra Conference
(FoS & ARC-WH)
Natural and cultural linkages
25–28th October 2018,
At the Bahrain National Museum, Manama, Bahrain
2
Table of Contents
#NatureForAll: A Movement to Inspire Love of Nature..................................................................................... 3
A Study of Tourism Marketing Strategies with Special Reference to Rebranding of Yemen Tourism .............. 4
Challenges to Terrestrial & Marine Biodiversity & Management on Soqotra Based on A Standard Assessment
Method .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Spatio‐Temporal Variability of Cover & Biomass of The Vegetation of Soqotra Island ..................................... 6
The Useful Plants of Soqotra .............................................................................................................................. 7
Soqotra Strategic Vision 2030 Eco Plan ............................................................................................................. 8
Conservation & Management of The Unique Underground Karst Systems of The Soqotra Archipelago
(Yemen): Risks & Opportunities ......................................................................................................................... 9
Documenting The Diversity of Cultural Heritage of The Soqotra Archipelago ................................................ 10
Updating Knowledge About Endemic Plants on Soqotra: Red Listing & Important Plant Areas ..................... 11
Planning & Management Implications of The Integration of The Water Component Into Soqotra Cross‐Sector
Systemic Socio‐Ecological Framework ............................................................................................................. 12
How Did The Cyclone Influence The Future Development of Dragon´s Blood Tree Populations on Soqotra? 13
Engaging Communities in Conserving The Soqotra World Heritage Site Through Awareness & Communication
......................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Notes on Research & Protection of Archaeological Heritage of Soqotra in Remote Locations of The Island . 15
Changing Landscapes & Land Erosion Linked to Breakdown of Cultural Practices (Dhofar/Soqotra) ............ 16
Islands of Heritage: Conservation & Transformation In Soqotra ..................................................................... 17
Soil & Land Degradation on Soqotra Island – To Remind What a Big Challenge Soil Is ................................... 18
The Birds of Soqotra ‐ Their Threats & Conservation ...................................................................................... 19
Endeavours to Restoration of Natural Forests & Re‐establishing "AL hIma” FOR Goat Grazing..................... 20
Invasive Alien Species & Their Control on Soqotra .......................................................................................... 21
Success of ARC‐WH Projects Based on Community Support ........................................................................... 22
Handicrafts By Soqotri Women: Traditional Methods & Future Ambitions .................................................... 23
Mapping of The Soqotra Archipelago Using GIS and RS * ............................................................................... 24
The Friends of Soqotra: Sustainability & Conservation of Nature/Culture in The Soqotra Archipelago ......... 25
An Overview of Recent Scientific Outputs Related to The Biodiversity of Soqotra & Ongoing Research ....... 26
Intangible Cultural Heritage Matters: Documenting & Presenting Soqotra's Intangible Cultural Heritage .... 27
Socotra ‐ Island of The Djinns .......................................................................................................................... 28
3
#NATUREFORALL: A MOVEMENT TO INSPIRE LOVE OF NATURE
Firas T. Abd‐Alhadi1
1IUCN CEC, Regional Vice‐Chair for West Asia. E‐mail: [email protected]
There is growing evidence that the prevalence of behaviours detrimental to the environment have
resulted from many decades of absent healthy engagement with nature in favour of relations based
primarily on exploitation of natural resources and provision of production inputs. With the resultant
stress on resources, climate change effects, deterioration of traditional rural livelihood systems and
urbanization, city dwellers are rapidly increasing and becoming disconnected from nature. Children
and young adults are alienated from a due appreciation of the services that ecosystems provide to
society while the immersion in technology makes nature seem further less relevant. These forces
have distanced people, especially young people, from understanding their place in nature and
fathoming how the laws of nature govern the availability of resources that sustain economies and
livelihoods. An inevitable outcome of this situation was: more detachment from nature and more
unsustainable natural resources exploitation. Significant conservation interventions have been
implemented, but they are outweighed and outpaced by harmful practices.
To meet this challenge, #NatureForAll was launched at the World Conservation Congress in Hawai’i
in September 2016 by over 120 partners representing a variety of sectors including, among others,
conservation, health, protected areas, communications, technology, education, arts, tourism,
science, youth, women’s organizations and networks. It is a global movement to inspire a new
generation of thinkers and doers across all sectors of society to connect with nature and take action
to support its conservation. At its core is a very simple idea: the more people experience, connect
with, and share their love of nature, the more support there will be for its conservation.
This poster will display strategies that #NatureForAll has embarked on, based on traditional wisdom,
modern science and current experiences, that lead to the ultimate outcome of a significant increase
globally in the number of people who are aware of the benefits of nature, when personally
experiencing and connecting with it, in order to support its conservation and take action in its favour.
The strategies offer solutions to a worldwide problem of disconnection from nature and are intended
to guide our actions. They have been developed based on recommendations received at the 2014
IUCN World Parks Congress and the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress, and advice of
#NatureForAll partners worldwide.
(POSTER)
Keywords: #NatureForAll, connectedness with nature, unsustainable natural resources exploitation,
nature conservation, pro‐environmental behaviour, IUCN CEC, West Asia, love of nature.
4
A STUDY OF TOURISM MARKETING STRATEGIES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO REBRANDING OF YEMEN TOURISM
Ahmed Abdullah Omer Ahmed1
1University of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, India. Email:
While global tourism has seen clear mutations recently due to modern progress in the field of
information technology, means of communication, and the widespread of the concepts of
globalization and free trade. The tourism sector is witnessing a significant negative decline in number
in several Arab countries among which Yemen is one of them. Such countries have been swept by
waves of political revolutions and security unrests, known as the Arab spring, which affected the
tourism sector. However, Yemen is a country rich in History and abundant archaeological remains of
own distinct. Hence, the significance of this study is to rebrand and reposition Yemen Tourism by
applying various marketing strategies that help the country to create its better image globally in
future. The study will be carried out in the four World Heritage Sites in Yemen. Three of the World
Heritage sites are cultural while one is natural. The cultural sites are the Historic Town of Zabid, Old
City of Sana'a and Old Walled City of Shibam while the one natural site is the Soqotra Archipelago. In
addition, the study covers the stakeholders in Yemen such as Travel agencies, Tour operators, Airlines
companies, officials of government organizations such as Ministry of Tourism, Yemen Tourism
Promotion Boards (YTPB), Ministry of Cultural, Archaeological office of Yemen and etc. The study will
use both quantitative and qualitative methods. More importantly, this study is expected to contribute
to the dimensions of image building and destination branding and the position of Yemen Tourism.
(PRESENTATION)
Keywords: Rebranding‐ Repositioning ‐ Marketing Strategies, Tourism
5
CHALLENGES TO TERRESTRIAL & MARINE BIODIVERSITY & MANAGEMENT ON SOQOTRA BASED ON A STANDARD ASSESSMENT METHOD
Abdulwahab Saad Ali1 & Fouad Khamees1
1UNEP/GEF Socotra Project, Soqotra Governorate, Yemen. E‐mails: [email protected] (terrestrial biodiversity)
and [email protected] (marine biodiversity)
Results obtained from Rapid Assessment and Prioritisation of Protected Area Management
(RAPPAM) of three terrestrial, two marine, and three mixed protected areas (all nature sanctuaries)
on Soqotra are presented. Based on several field visits, interviews with locals and EPA, and direct
observations it was possible to use this standard method to assess the status of biodiversity,
environmental impacts and human activities. Analysis of the obtained results are applied to prepare
long term management plans for each protected area to ensure proper biodiversity conservation and
sustainable use of natural resources, taking into consideration the well‐being and suggestions of the
local communities.
(PRESENTATION)
6
SPATIO-TEMPORAL VARIABILITY OF COVER & BIOMASS OF THE VEGETATION OF SOQOTRA ISLAND
Fabio Attorre, Tullia Riccardi, Marco Messina, Raffaele Testolin, Michele De Sanctis, Alessio Farcomeni &
Luca Malatesta 1
1Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. E‐mail corresponding author: [email protected]
Land degradation in arid regions is caused by the interaction of climate and land management
change. It determines a progressive reduction of the cover and productivity of the natural vegetation,
which can be assessed with appropriate models and tools. We present two approaches to assess the
spatio‐temporal variability of tree and biomass cover on the Socotra island. In the first one we
assessed the spatial variability of tree cover and density by sampling 3598 plots of 0.5 ha across the
island using an innovative methodology defined as augmented visual interpretation, based on a free
and open source software. This software, named Collect Earth, allows access to very high spatial and
temporal resolution imagery archives. Spatial variability of tree cover and density was analysed
assessing the effect of relevant environmental variables such as edaphic and climatic factors. In the
second approach we analysed the relationship between biomass cover from field surveys and
remotely sensed vegetation indices/environmental data in order to estimate the biomass cover of
different vegetation types in two seasons characterized by different climatic conditions. Data and
maps produced with these approaches will support the establishment of a land monitoring scheme
and strategy and provide a baseline for the Sustainable Land Use and Land Degradation.
(PRESENTATION)
7
THE USEFUL PLANTS OF SOQOTRA
Ahmed Al‐Rumaili1
1Soqotra Cultural Heritage Project, Hadiboh, Soqotra Governorate (Yemen)
Nature provides living creatures with different ecosystem services. Throughout history, humans have
always been able to understand their surrounding environment and know how to benefit from it.
This talk is going to manifest how Socotri people understand their environment and their use of
plants, by showing 17 different species of plants on Soqotra, explaining their local uses, and the use
of each species for their medicinal and economic purposes as well as their contribution to the well‐
being of society.
(PRESENTATION)
8
SOQOTRA STRATEGIC VISION 2030 ECO PLAN
Mohammed Ahmed bin Khalifah1
1Yemeni Foundation Renascence & Development – Soqotra. Hadiboh District, Soqotra Governorate, Yemen. E‐mail:
We are the Yemen Foundation Renascence & Development, with an established centre on Soqotra
Island. Our poster is about the capacity building of the Soqotra youth and women and the
development of skills in order to achieve sustainable development and an enhanced environmental
management. The aim is to build and develop the youths’ capabilities and skills in order to achieve
sustainable development in the Soqotra Archipelago and to exchange experiences on how to link
environmental management with modern technology to reach a scientific model for sustainable
development and to enhance the means of building a peace environment in the island of Socotra.
Just recently we started an initiative including workshops and courses in order to educate the Soqotra
youth and women to develop the environmental management of the society in cooperation with the
local authority in the Archipelago of Soqotra. A YouTube video of our activities can be accessed
through the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw7SNI2yvh4
(POSTER)
9
CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT OF THE UNIQUE UNDERGROUND KARST SYSTEMS OF THE SOQOTRA ARCHIPELAGO (YEMEN): RISKS & OPPORTUNITIES
Peter De Geest1 & the members of the Soqotra Karst Project2
1Soqotra Karst Project, Destelbergen, Belgium.
2http://thesocotrakarstproject.blogspot.com
The study of karst areas on Soqotra started in 2000 with the Soqotra Karst Project (SKP) initiative.
Around 50 cave systems have been explored, resulting in an inventory of approximately 32 km of
surveyed underground passages. Due to its multidisciplinary approach, the islands paleoclimate was
investigated, new cave fauna got described and an important amount of cultural history was revealed
through the discovery of petroglyphs and artefacts.
As a karst represents a non‐renewable resource, the vulnerability to proposed land uses should be
carefully management by professionals with very site‐specific knowledge. The archipelago’s fresh
water potentials are directly influenced by the aquifer recharge and subsurface karstic drainage
systems. Therefore, it is vital to understand the risks involved, being able to implement any
sustainable opportunities.
(PRESENTATION)
10
DOCUMENTING THE DIVERSITY OF CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE SOQOTRA ARCHIPELAGO
Julian Jansen van Rensburg1
1Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany. E‐mail: [email protected]
The island of Socotra has often been dubbed the forgotten island, a moniker that bears direct
relevance to the islands rich and unique cultural heritage. Despite numerous expeditions over the
course of the last decade, and a substantial interest in recording and mapping the natural heritage of
Soqotra, there has been little interest shown in Soqotra’s cultural heritage. In recognition of this, the
British Council Cultural Protection Fund project CPL‐185‐16 ‘Integrating Cultural Heritage into
Conservation and Development Planning on Soqotra’ has begun a program of training and capacity
development for a team of Soqotri women and men giving them the necessary skills to record and
assess Soqotra’s rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage for inclusion into Soqotra’s first cultural
heritage database.
(PRESENTATION)
11
UPDATING KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ENDEMIC PLANTS ON SOQOTRA: RED LISTING & IMPORTANT PLANT AREAS
Alan Forrest1
1Centre for Middle Eastern Plants, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom. E‐mail:
The endemic plants of Soqotra were last assessed using the IUCN Red List categories and criteria prior to the publication of the Ethnoflora of the Soqotra Archipelago. Since that time, additional distribution data and changes in the IUCN protocols mean that a re‐assessment is required. Conserving these endemic plants requires knowledge on their conservation status and distribution, so that it can be used in defining protected areas that conserve the full diversity of Soqotra's plants. This presentation will give an update of the conservation status and propose of how this information can be used to ensure the endemic plants of Soqotra and their associated values can be better conserved for the future. (PRESENTATION)
12
PLANNING & MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS OF THE INTEGRATION OF THE WATER COMPONENT INTO SOQOTRA CROSS-SECTOR SYSTEMIC SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK
Alfredo Guillet1, Peter De Geest2, Ludovico Rossini, Edoardo Scepi3, Enrico Brugnoli4, Fabio Attorre5
1Directorate General for Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome, Italy. E‐mail:
[email protected] (corresponding author) 2Soqotra Karst Project, Destelbergen, Belgium. 3PROGES Consulting, Italy. 4National Research Council, Italy 5Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
The paper twofold aims at developing an understanding of the processes that determine the variation
in the Island’s water chemistry toward a thorough and comprehensive description of the Soqotra
water cycle and supporting the objective integration of the water component into a process of
systemic management of the Island’s ecosystems. The opportunity has been taken to share to the
benefit of future researchers and developers the innovative results of several water geochemical and
socio‐ecological surveys carried out in Soqotra during 2007‐2008 and 2009. As to the first pursuit,
results of chemical and isotopic analyses will help to render objective a number of qualitative
information to the benefit of both monitoring for management and further scientific research. As to
the second, results of the cross‐sector integration of the above water analyses into a systemic
framework, with the help of a spatial systemic model developed in previous project activities, will
provide methodological indications for planning sustainable development in all other sectors, being
infrastructural or related to different forms of direct and indirect use of water (livelihood, agricultural,
pastoral, fishery, commercial). The outcomes may be used as a reference guideline when planning
development changes in the one sector, to predict effects of such changes on the sustainability of
other related sectors, and vice versa. For core areas of given water catchments, a precise indication
is provided of thresholds demarcating safe water utilisation levels as well as a quantitative estimate
of the direct and indirect impact of crossing such thresholds on the ecosystems functioning and
related services (cost, resource loss, biodiversity depletion). A “non‐putting‐off indication” is
presented of a set of minimal and easily executable monitoring practices to be performed in the
future to assess potential changes from safety conditions. Different problems and management
implications are reviewed considering that not all areas can be associated to the same level of “dos
and don’ts”, in other words, an encouragement for developers not to feel antagonized when
presented with any ecological/sustainability cases. Finally, objective geo‐referenced data and
methodological guidelines may be shared in support of a re‐visitation of the current regulations on
land use ascribed to Soqotra zoning. To this end, with a view to promoting more viable gazetting, the
needs are discussed for spatio‐temporally opportunistically adaptable forms of utilisation, as well for
ensuring the contribution of local community.
(PRESENTATION)
13
HOW DID THE CYCLONE INFLUENCE THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF DRAGON´S BLOOD TREE POPULATIONS ON SOQOTRA?
Petr Maděra1
1Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic. E‐mail: [email protected]
The influence of cyclones affecting the Soqotra Archipelago in November 2015, was determined
based on a statistical forest inventory of Soqotran Dragon´s Blood Tree populations before and after
the cyclones. All Dragon´s Blood Trees were recognized from satellite imagery on the Island. The
population counts more than 80 thousand individuals divided in 20 sub‐populations. We expressed
for each sub‐population their size, number of trees, tree density, area of habitat types. Nature
conservation importance index was counted for each sub‐population. Two models of future sub‐
populations development were compared for scenarios ‐ with and without cyclones. The extinction
time for each sub‐population was estimated.
(PRESENTATION)
14
ENGAGING COMMUNITIES IN CONSERVING THE SOQOTRA WORLD HERITAGE SITE THROUGH AWARENESS & COMMUNICATION
Ali Mahross1
1UNEP/GEF Socotra Project, Soqotra Governorate, Yemen. E‐mail: [email protected]
To assure long term biodiversity conservation of the Soqotra World Heritage Site and to gain
sustainable development, the benefit local communities from education and for them to become
aware of the value of biodiversity as well as its threats; the most effective methods that can be used
to engage local communities in conserving the Soqotra World Heritage Site are awareness‐raising
and communication. Ongoing and future efforts in environmental awareness and communication
with local communities in both Hadiboh and Qalansiyah Districts are presented in this talk.
(PRESENTATION)
15
NOTES ON RESEARCH & PROTECTION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF SOQOTRA IN REMOTE LOCATIONS OF THE ISLAND
Vladimir Melnik1
Russia. E‐mail: [email protected]
*No abstract provided*
(PRESENTATION)
16
CHANGING LANDSCAPES & LAND EROSION LINKED TO BREAKDOWN OF CULTURAL PRACTICES (DHOFAR/SOQOTRA)
Miranda Morris1
1University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom. E‐mail: [email protected]
It seems unlikely that in the near future there will be salaried jobs for all Soqotrans. Some family
members will therefore need to rear livestock; both to maintain rights to grazing and water, and to
feed their families. However, the viable rearing of livestock is at risk in many areas of the island.
Increasingly, as has already become the case over most of the Dhofar rangelands, livestock will cease
to provide a source of income and livelihood for their owners, but they will instead become a burden
on their owners’ resources who will be forced to buy in feed for them. Once rangeland is allowed to
deteriorate beyond a certain point, it is almost impossible to restore it to productivity. With the loss
of rangeland, an important survival strategy for islanders’ risks is being lost too.
(PRESENTATION)
17
ISLANDS OF HERITAGE: CONSERVATION & TRANSFORMATION IN SOQOTRA
Nathalie Peutz1
1New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. E‐mail: [email protected]
In this talk, I provide a brief overview of my new book, Islands of Heritage: Conservation and
Transformation in Yemen, published by Stanford University Press in November 2018. Islands of
Heritage is the first ethnographic study of the implementation and impact of conservation,
development, and heritage projects in an Arab‐majority state. Drawing on extensive fieldwork in a
pilot ‘protected area’ in Soqotra shortly after the island’s opening to economic liberalization and
environmental regulation, the book examines how concepts such as ‘the environment’ and ‘heritage’
were introduced to and taken up by a people on the geographical and cultural margins. It argues that,
despite many Soqotrans’ scepticism toward these conservationist interventions, several
appropriated the language of heritage as a bulwark against external control. Through a close
examination of the diverse notions of heritage in contention in Soqotra and among its diasporic
population in the Arab Gulf, the book details how everyday Soqotrans came to assemble, defend, and
promote what they determined to be their cultural and linguistic heritage. Initially conservative,
these efforts eventually dovetailed with and lent weight to Soqotrans’ calls for political and cultural
revolution. This book‐‐and talk‐‐thus posits that far from being merely a conservative endeavour, the
protection of heritage can have profoundly transformative, even revolutionary, effects.
(PRESENTATION)
18
SOIL & LAND DEGRADATION ON SOQOTRA ISLAND – TO REMIND WHAT A BIG CHALLENGE SOIL IS
Dana Pietsch1
1University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. E‐mail: pietsch@djg‐ev.de
Soil is – beside water – one of the main basic resources of life. Especially in regions where soil is rare
and agricultural resources are little, soil erosion is a big problem. At first glance, soil erosion on
Soqotra Island would seem to be a minor problem. This appraisal is based on the fact that on the one
hand the island is poor in soil resources, and on the other hand research on the island has to date
focused mainly on biodiversity. However, results of soil investigations on Socotra showed that for
example in the Homhil Protected Area land degradation in terms of erosion due to soil structure
deterioration and humus loss has increased drastically: within three years a loss of about 40 m3 in a
single gully head was estimated. In the south west, in Degerah (see picture), the problem is even
worse, since there is less vegetation and lower precipitation. Soil loss inevitably involves uprooting
of trees and a decrease in soil fauna. These problems cause changes in many sectors of the economy,
due to changing patterns of land‐use. Signs of such changes are neglected home gardens, degraded
areas due to overgrazing, eroded and salty top soils in areas of intensive wood cutting. Recognising
that more and more single initiatives go back to soil conservation based on both modern and ancient
practice, the movement of conserving soils especially in these hard times of hunger due to the lack
of food and gas in the times of war should be encouraged by mentioning, that there are successful
examples of soil improvement and food production on the Island.
(PRESENTATION)
19
THE BIRDS OF SOQOTRA - THEIR THREATS & CONSERVATION
Richard Porter1
1BirdLife International, Cambridge, United Kingdom. E‐mail: [email protected]
In a short, illustrated video on the birds of Soqotra*, I will present the endemic and globally
threatened species as well as those that have internationally important populations. The main threats
will be outlined, especially habitat destruction, and the conservation actions needed to address them.
The importance of maintaining the biological integrity of the archipelago’s Important Bird and
Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) will be emphasised.
(PRESENTATION)
*the video with voice over by Richard Porter will be presented by Soqotri ornithologist Ahmed Saeed Suleiman.
20
ENDEAVOURS TO RESTORATION OF NATURAL FORESTS & RE-ESTABLISHING "AL HIMA” FOR GOAT GRAZING
Abdullateef Saeed1 & Petr Maděra2
1UNEP/GEF Socotra Project, Soqotra Governorate, Yemen. E‐mail: [email protected] or
2Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
This presentation shows the results achieved in restoration of endangered species particularly
Dracaena cinnabari, Boswellia spp., and Avicennia marina; as well as re‐establishing the local "al
hima" concept through fencing enclosures, allowing regeneration of grass and other grazing plants.
Local communities have been engaged in these activities to utilise and benefit from their lands in a
sustainable way. This will hopefully be the nucleus for future activities in restoration of significant/ endangered species and rangeland vegetation on Soqotra.
(POSTER)
21
INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES & THEIR CONTROL ON SOQOTRA
Ahmed Saeed Suleiman1, Arne Witt2 & Kay Van Damme3
1UNEP/GEF Socotra Project, Soqotra Governorate, Yemen. E‐mail: [email protected]
2Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), Nairobi, Kenya. E‐mail: [email protected]
3Senckenberg Research Institute, Frankfurt a. M., Germany. E‐mail : [email protected]
One of the greatest challenges to biodiversity and livelihoods on the Soqotra Archipelago is managing
the existing and potential threats of invasive alien species (IAS). This includes the spread of exotic
animal and plant diseases and insect pests such as the exotic Dubas Bug which attacks date palms, as
well as invasive plants and other organisms that may negatively impact on native biota and even
human and livestock health. As an example of efforts within the ongoing Soqotra UNEP‐GEF Project
to tackle invasive species, including the development of an IAS database and an IAS management
strategy, we organised a campaign to tackle Opuntia stricta (pest prickly pear) on the island. The
eradication of this cactus in several villages on the north coast included efforts to create awareness
as to the threat that this invasive species poses to the people and native plant and animal species on
Soqotra. The success of this campaign is an indication that communities are concerned about invasive
species on the island and that they are willing to contribute to their control.
(PRESENTATION and POSTER)
22
SUCCESS OF ARC-WH PROJECTS BASED ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Ismael Salem1
1ARC‐WH, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain & Hadiboh, Soqotra Governorate, Yemen. E‐mail: [email protected]
Soqotra has always been a crucial source of inspiration for the Arab Regional Centre for World
Heritage (ARC‐WH) and it inspires the development of new approaches on the implementation of its
regional programme. This intervention is going to present the beneficial impacts of small projects in
filling the gaps between the local communities and the researchers. ARC‐WH believes that building
trust by involving the community in such projects, as well as transferring knowledge between the
scientists and locals, is crucial in the sustainable conservation of the livelihood of those communities
and for the thorough protection of the Outstanding Universal Value of the Socotra World Heritage
site for current and future generations.
(PRESENTATION)
23
HANDICRAFTS BY SOQOTRI WOMEN: TRADITIONAL METHODS & FUTURE AMBITIONS
Haifa Taiseer1
1UNEP/GEF Socotra Project, Soqotra Governorate, Yemen. E‐mail: [email protected]
This contribution addresses the role of Soqotri Women in the wellbeing of their families’ livelihoods
by engaging in handicraft production. Realizing this fact, the UNEP/GEF “Socotra Project” (GEF #5347)
is committed to support women associations by providing professional training to improve women’s
skills in producing high quality items, as well as to help them to expand marketing channels to include
regional and international markets. Examples of new local handicrafts will be shown during the
meeting. *
(PRESENTATION)
*This talk will be presented in Arabic (English translation will be provided).
24
MAPPING OF THE SOQOTRA ARCHIPELAGO USING GIS AND RS *
Petr Vahalík1
1Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic. E‐mail: [email protected]
Mapping of Soqotra using satellite data in combination with field measurement is an ongoing process.
New analytical and cartographic outputs in relation to the sustainable land management will be
presented. New specific outputs are as follow: Analysis of land degradation, seasonal vegetation
activity analysed over a period of the last decade, and outputs of demographic surveys.
(PRESENTATION)
*GIS: Geographic Information Systems; RS: Remote Sensing.
25
THE FRIENDS OF SOQOTRA: SUSTAINABILITY & CONSERVATION OF NATURE/CULTURE IN THE SOQOTRA ARCHIPELAGO
Kay Van Damme1 & FoS Committee Members2
1Senckenberg Research Institute, Frankfurt a. M., Germany. E‐mail: [email protected]
2Friends of Soqotra, St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom. E‐mail: [email protected]
The Friends of Soqotra (FoS) is a registered UK‐based charity that was formed in 2000 to “promote
the sustainable use and conservation of the natural environment of the Socotra island group and in
so doing to support sustainable improvement in the standard of living of the people of Soqotra”. The
aims to achieve these goals are outlined in the constitution of FoS and are carried out through any of
the following activities: 1) raising awareness of the global significance of the Soqotran culture,
environment and natural resources, 2) supporting successful traditional Soqotran natural resource
management practices, 3) promoting practical and action‐oriented research, 4) facilitating the
integration of research with the delivery of practical projects prioritised by the Soqotran community,
5) providing a source of expertise, assistance and training for the people of Soqotra, 6) providing
educational materials and support for the young people of Soqotra, 7) cooperating with
governmental, academic and voluntary organisations in Yemen and elsewhere which have similar
aims and 8) allowing tourism to develop in a manner which maintains and enhances the indigenous
Soqotran culture and natural environment. The small, non‐profit neutral charity consists entirely of
volunteers and includes members from all over the world with an interest in the conservation of
Soqotran culture and nature and the sustainable development of its people. Many of the FoS
members have been at some point in the past working on or with Soqotra in their own capacity and
expertise, or have visited the island at some point and have kept an interest. Annual activities of FoS
include the Annual Meeting with an adjoined Soqotra Conference and the production and
distribution of the FoS Newsletter, Tayf (Soqotri for Aloe). In this presentation, I will briefly present
the main goals of the charity and some of the activities that have been realised by FoS, through the
valued continued support of the committee and members to the organisation in the past 18 years
and through its collaborations with international organisations promoting Soqotra conservation and
sustainable development.
(PRESENTATION)
26
AN OVERVIEW OF RECENT SCIENTIFIC OUTPUTS RELATED TO THE BIODIVERSITY OF SOQOTRA & ONGOING RESEARCH
Kay Van Damme1
1Senckenberg Research Institute, Frankfurt a. M., Germany. E‐mail: [email protected]
When it comes to scientific research, Soqotra is not as “forgotten” as often claimed. In the year 2017,
about 40 international publications directly related to Soqotra appeared in the scientific world, the
bulk (73%) on taxonomy. Such papers include the descriptions of new species and add to our
knowledge of the biodiversity, sometimes with notes on conservation. The year 2017 yielded an extra
four new genera, 33 new species and two new subspecies among the Soqotran animals, plants and
fungi, and other interesting studies in biology, conservation and archaeology. I will discuss the
importance of such scientific studies for local conservation efforts. Some new studies that appeared
in 2018 and ongoing research that adds to our knowledge of Soqotra will be presented, which include
tracing the history of the Soqotran cows through the genomes and the discovery of the first
vertebrate fossil ever found on the island, an extinct fruit bat from the early Holocene. What is lacking
in recent research, is a better understanding of the distribution of Soqotran terrestrial faunas, which
would help to conserve the biodiversity. General biodiversity challenges and the importance of the
Soqotra Conservation Zoning Plan will be briefly discussed, with an emphasis on the need for
continued efforts in research as well as knowledge transfer/training and basic environmental
education on Soqotra.
(PRESENTATION)
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EXTRA – SOQOTRA MOVIES
INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE MATTERS: Documenting & PRESENTING SOQOTRA'S INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
Shaikhah Mubarak, Ahdab Al‐Ameri, Ali Hasan, Ahmed Al‐Rumaili, Mohammed Ali, Ahmed Al‐Orqbi
(Soqotra Cultural Heritage Project) and Ismael Salem2, Edited by Oliver Wilkins the Soqotra Cultural Heritage
Project, Soqotra Governorate (Yemen)
1 Integrating Soqotra’s cultural heritage into conservation, http://www.soqotraculturalheritage.org/
2 The Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage Email: [email protected]
A series of short films about creating cultural awareness by the Soqotra Heritage Project team and
showcasing Soqotra's rich intangible cultural heritage, the footage have been taken by the project
team members Shaikhah Mubarak Sulaiman, Ahdab Salem Al‐Ameri, Ali Mohammed Hasan, Ahmed
Eissa Al‐Rumaili, Mohammed Thalee Ali, Ahmed Saeed Al‐Orqbi, and Esmail Mohammed Salem from
ARC‐WH) edited by Oliver Wilkins. Additional footage will be shot by the team during the conference
to raise awareness about cultural heritage of Soqotra. Prepare yourself to be interviewed!
(FILM)
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SOCOTRA - ISLAND OF THE DJINNS
Jordi Esteva
Extremely beautiful, extraordinary and exciting. A melancholic voyage to the lost island of Sinbad.
Jacinto Antón. El País
The film is the story of a trip on the remote island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean. The expedition is a
hard trek to the interior of the island, known in antiquity for its Phoenix and Rukh birds. On the
journey are Ahmed Afrar, youngest son of the late sultan of Socotra, some companions and three
cameleers with their animals. En route to visit relatives, the Socotrans speaking in their own language,
tell stories by the fire. During the night, conversation turns to legends of djinns and monstrous snakes
that dwell in the cavernous interior of the island. A vanishing world is revealed.
“In this surprising film of ethnographical observation, the aesthetic choice of black
and white not only takes us back to ancient times—when the legends were true,
and people kept them alive by believing in them—but also to the time of cinema’s
first explorers, who would film their exotic “travelogues” so as to present them to
audiences hungry for discovery. An introduction to a long‐disappeared world, the
film keeps the sense of an inaccessible mystery until its final image.”
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Luciano Barisone, Director of Visions du Réel, International Film Festival. Nyon, Switzerland
Links:
Web Page: http://www.socotratheislandofdjinns.com
Jordi Esteva’s Web Page: http://www.jordiesteva.com/en
Trailer of Socotra ‐ Island of Djinns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSdPevreamM
Contact: [email protected]
(FILM)
Organisers:
The Friends of Soqotra www.friendsofsoqotra.org
The Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage
www.arcwh.org
