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🗞️ Driving the news: The iconic dragon’s blood tree — found only on the Yemeni island of Socotra — is under severe threat from climate change, invasive species, and conflict-induced neglect
• According to conservationists, intensifying cyclones and unchecked goat grazing are decimating young trees, placing the species and its unique ecosystem at risk of collapse
🔭 The context: Socotra, often called the “Galapagos of the Indian Ocean,” is a UNESCO World Heritage site with over a third of its 825 plant species found nowhere else
• The dragon’s blood tree, with its distinct umbrella canopy and crimson sap, is a keystone species: its structure helps capture and conserve water in the island’s arid climate
• However, Yemen’s ongoing civil war has diverted national focus away from conservation, leaving local communities to lead fragile preservation efforts
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Socotra represents one of the most unique and biodiverse island ecosystems on Earth
• The loss of its dragon’s blood trees would signal not only an ecological tragedy but a missed opportunity to preserve climate-resilient landscapes
• As extreme weather intensifies globally, Socotra highlights how political instability and environmental degradation can accelerate biodiversity loss in vulnerable regions
⏭️ What's next: With national support unlikely in the near term due to Yemen’s broader conflict, the survival of Socotra’s forests depends on increased international assistance and stronger local infrastructure
• Conservationists are calling for durable fencing to protect saplings, scaling of nursery projects, and integrating ecotourism revenues into long-term ecosystem management
• Time is limited: most remaining dragon’s blood forests show no signs of natural regeneration
💬 One quote: “When you lose the trees, you lose everything — the soil, the water, the entire ecosystem.” — Kay Van Damme, conservation biologist
📈 One stat: Dragon’s blood trees grow just 2–3 centimeters per year and can take centuries to mature — making any loss of saplings especially difficult to recover
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