2020
by Adigrat University

Ecology of the endangered Dracaena ombet tree and its stakeholders-based conservation interventions in Ethiopia

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Species protection Community managed nature protection Ecosystem protection
2020
by Adigrat University

Ecology of the endangered Dracaena ombet tree and its stakeholders-based conservation interventions in Ethiopia

This project will have the following specific aims:

  1. To assess ecology, distribution and conservation threats of the endangered Dracaena ombet in Ethiopia for developing its sustainable conservation action plan
  2. 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
  3. 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

 

  1. Discuss with local stakeholders on the project
  2. Collect data from stakeholders
  3. Collect data through field survey
  4. Capacity building training and awareness education for stakeholders
  5. Establish nursery
  6. Introduce conservation structures into the degraded habitat of the species
  7. Planting seedlings of the species
  8. Prepare conservation action plan of the species
  9. Prepare workshops for different stakeholders
  10. Link the prepared plan with our local and national partners
  11. Link the plan with the species database in Egypt and GSPC of IUCN
  12. Publish the project results in journal, newsletter
Name organisation:
Adigrat University
Start date:
01-07-2020
Funding:
€5640
Country/Territory:
Ethiopia
Name organisation:
Adigrat University
Start date:
01-07-2020
Funding:
€5640
Country/Territory:
Ethiopia Africa

The globally endangered Dracaena ombet

Dracaena ombet is a globally Endangered (EN) tree and known as a flagship species of the dry ecoregions of east-north Africa. However, its over 67% populations have already been vanished in the last three decades due to over-exploitation and habitat degradation. Particularly in Ethiopia, our first study on the species revealed that it is now heavily threatened by cutting, debarking, defoliation and degradation. As a consequence, it is currently suffering in regeneration (completely absent), small samplings (DBH< 12cm), low density (225 trees ha-1) and only confined in small eroded areas (https://www.speciesconservation.org/case-studies-projects/gabal-elba-dragon-tree/19008). Hence, for sustainable cosnevation and restoration of the species and its degraded habitats (the Desa’a forest of northern Ethiopia), this Van Tienhoven project will jointly work with the local stakeholders to achieve the following specific objectives:

  1. Assess further the species ecology, distribution and conservation threats in Ethiopia for developing its comprehensive conservation action plan
  2. Reduce its on-going threats such as cutting, debarking, defoliation and degradation though our different conservation interventions (capacity building training; restoration techniques and others)
  3. Contribute data for developing its comprehensive conservation action plan in east-north African region and globally (the species database has already been developed by our Egyptian conservation partner)