Ecology of the endangered Dracaena ombet tree and its stakeholders-based conservation interventions in Ethiopia
This project will have the following specific aims:
- To assess ecology, distribution and conservation threats of the endangered Dracaena ombet in Ethiopia for developing its sustainable conservation action plan
- To reduce threats (cutting, debarking, defoliation, overgrazing and erosion) on D.ombet and its habitats by four interlinked conservation interventions: i) capacity building; ii) livelihood improvement; iii) land restoration; and iv) develop sustainable conservation action plan
- To contribute for development of D.ombet conservation action plan in east-north African region; and to the GSPC (Global Strategy for Plant Conservation) of IUCN for helping to update its status in the IUCN Red List
Jointly with representative local stakeholders, we will collect data on the species use, ecology, distribution and threats from stakeholders using focus group discussion and individual interview. Field survey inside of the forest, following scientific procedures, will also be conducted to collect its detail ecology, distribution and threats. Furthermore, we will provide continuous capacity building training for local stakeholders (rangers, local experts) on use of GIS, GPS and camera for conservation of the species and its habitat. We will also improve awareness of local community, students and others on its conservation using different awareness activities. Besides, selected poor local women whose livelihoods only depend on the species will be trained on new farming activities (e.g poultry, beekeeping) for improving and diversify their livelihoods. We will also introduce restoration techniques (conservation structures, planting) into the degraded habitat of the species. All collected data will then be scientifically analysed for developing conservation action plan of the species. The plan will also be shared with different stakeholders through workshops; and it will be linked with our local and national partners for its sustainable uses. Besides, our plan will be added to the species database, developed by our Egyptian partner for developing its conservation plan in east-north Africa region and regionally. Activities
- Discuss with local stakeholders on the project
- Collect data from stakeholders
- Collect data through field survey
- Capacity building training and awareness education for stakeholders
- Establish nursery
- Introduce conservation structures into the degraded habitat of the species
- Planting seedlings of the species
- Prepare conservation action plan of the species
- Prepare workshops for different stakeholders
- Link the prepared plan with our local and national partners
- Link the plan with the species database in Egypt and GSPC of IUCN
- Publish the project results in journal, newsletter
