Dracaena ombet-MAP-Egypt Project€¦ · Figure 15: Dracaena ombet age classes' scheme Figure 16:...

Dracaena ombet-MAP-Egypt Project

Final Project report

Submitted To

Conservation Leadership Program

For the 2007 future conservationist award

Made for Dracaena-MAP-Egypt project

October 2008


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Abbreviations:

CLP Conservation Leadership Program

GEPA Gabel Elba Protected Area

GEPA MU Gabel Elba Protected Area’s Management Unit

GE Gabel Elba (Elba mountain)

DMAP Dracaena-Monitoring and Assessment Project

Bio-MAP-Egypt Biodiversity Monitoring and Assessment Project

NCS Nature Conservation Sector-Egypt

LIFE RED SEA Livelihood Income From Environment in Red Sea Project

RSPADA Red Sea Protected Areas Development Association

SLC Shalateen city Local Council

EEAA Egyptian Environment Affairs Agency

GEF Global Environment Facility

IUCN International Union for Conservation Nature

IUCN-CSPSG IUCN-Cacti and Succulent Plants Specialist Group

Tombet Ombet tree

DBH Diameter at Breath Height

TK Traditional Knowledge

GPS Global Position System

GIS Geographical Information System


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Content

Abbreviations ……………………………………………………………….. List of figures ……………………………………………………………….. List of maps …………………………………………………………………. List of tables …………………………………………………………………. List of appendices …………………………………………………………… Acknowledgements………………………………………………………….. Suggested Citation………………………………………………………….. DMAP Project Team Members……………………………………………… Executive Summary …………………………………………………………. Project outputs and Achievements Summary………………………………... Project evaluation against the outputs……………………………………….. 1. First Part: Introduction ………………………………………………….. 1.1. The report structure……………………………………………………. Accompanying documents…………………………………………………… 1.2. The project background ………………………………………………... 1.2.1. Overview of the target species and need for the project…………….. 1.2.2. Overview of the Project Area………………………………………... 1.2. 2.1. Location …………………………………………………………… 1.2.2.1.1 General Description………………………………………………. 1.2. 2.1.2 Climate……………………………………………………………. 1.2 2.1.3 Geomorphology…………………………………………………... . 1.2. 2.1.4. GEPA Hydrology………………………………………………… 1.2. 2.1.4.1. Rainfall………………………………………………………….

2 8 9 9 9 10 11 12 14 15 20 21 21 21 22 22 22 23 23 24 25 26 26


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1.2. 2.1.4.2. Groundwater…………………………………………………… 1.2.2. Local communities and indigenous culture…………………………... 1.2.2.1. The Bisharia………………………………………………………… 1.2.2.2. The Ababda…………………………………………………………. 1.2.2.3. The Rashayda……………………………………………………….. 1.2.3. Social-Economic Context…………………………………………….. 1.2.4. Biodiversity of GEPA………………………………………………… 1.2.2.4.1. GEPA’s habitats………………………………………………….. 1.2.2.4.2. GEPA’s Biodiversity Importance………………………………... 1.2.2.5. Gabel Elba Protected Area's Management Effectiveness………….. 1.3. Project aims……………………………………………………………... 1.3.2. Project outputs………………………………………………………... 1.3.3. PROJECT ANALYSIS ………………………………………………. 1.3.3.1. Project Problems Tree ……………………………………………… 1.3.3.2. Project Solutions Tree ……………………………………………… 2. Second Part: Project methods and approaches: ………………………... 2.4.1. D.ombet populations Survey and monitoring ………………………... 2.4.1.1. Methodology and Field work Protocols…………………………….. 2.4.1.1.1. Methodology standardization and field logistics………………….. 2.4.1.1.2. Pre-field work protocols …………………………………………. 2.4.1.1.2.1. D.ombet's Participatory eco-geography………………………… 2.4.1.1.2.2. Para-professional training and………………………………….. 2.4.1.1.3. Field survey protocols……………………………………………. 2.4.1.1.4. Data management and analysis …………………………………..

27 27 28 28 29 29 30 30 32 34 35 36 37 37 37 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 39 41


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2.4.1.1.4.1. Meta data ……………………………………………………… 2.4.1.1.4.2. Data analysis …………………………………………………… 2.4.2. Community work …………………………………………………….. 2.4.2.1. Participatory rural appraisal ………………………………………... 2.4.2.1. Participatory Rural Appraisal protocols (PRA)…………………….. 2.4.2.2. Researches Action Participation Protocols…………………………. Third Chapter: Findings…………………………………………………… 3. Field survey and monitoring results…………………………………….. 3.1. Participatory eco-geographical D.ombet distribution mapping…………. 3.2. Populations survey and short term monitoring results…………………... 3.2.1. Main observations……………………………………………………... 3.2.2. Populations size and distribution…………………………………….. 3.2.3. Populations trend…………………………………………………….. 3.2.4. Populations Healthy Status…………………………………………... 3.2.4.1. Survival status of ombet tree……………………………………… 3.2.4.2 Healthy status classes………………………………………………… 3.2.5. Population boundaries and coverage: ………………………………… 3.2.5.1. D. ombet’s Extent of Occurrence…………………………………… 3.2.5.2. D.ombet Area of Occupancy ………………………………………. 3.2.6. D.ombet Population age structure and classification………………….. 3.2.6.1. D.ombet Population age structure…………………………………… 3.2.6.2. Dracaena ombet age classification scheme………………………….. 3.2.7. Altitudinal patterns of the ombet tree………………………………….

41 41 42 42 42 42 43 43 43 44 44 47 48 49 49 50 51 51 53 55 55 56 57


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3.2.8. Threats: Causes for the deterioration of Dracaena ombet……………... 3.2.9. Uses and importance of Dracaena ombet………………….………….. 3.2.10. SIGNS OF NATURAL REGENERATION…………………………. 3.2.11. Tree ecology…………………………………………………………. 3.2.12. Reproduction…………………………………………………………. 3.2.13. Associated plants communities……………………………………… 3.2.14. Tombet Habitats Suitability Index…………………………………… 4. Fourth Part: Project other Findings and Achievements…………………… 4.1.Dracaena ombet Conservation………………………………………….. 4.1.1. In-situ conservation actions………………………………………….. 4.2. Dracaena ombet status Assessment……………………………………. 4.3. D.ombet Conservation and Action plan; and long term community based-monitoring program…………………………………………………. 43.1. D.ombet Action plan………………………………………………….. 4.3.2. Long term community based-monitoring program…………………… 4.3.3. The (DoMAP Project Database) ……………………………………. 4.4. Documentation the related Traditional Knowledge……………………. 4.5. Capacity building of the project stakeholders …………………………. 4.5.1. Capacity building of the local NGO’s and GEPA MU………….. 4.5.1. 1. Training ……………………………………………………………. 4.5.1.2. Technical support…………………………………………………… 4.5.2.3. Analysis the GEPA’s staff capabilities……………………………... 4.5.3. Empowering the local community of GEPA…………………………. 4.5.3.1. Strengthening the local community organizations ………………….

58 62 63 65 66 66 68 71 71 71 72 72 72 72 73 77 78 78 79 80 80 81 81


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4.5.3.2. Biodiversity conservation and community livelihood in GE……….. 4.5.3.2.1. Development a traditional handicrafts…………………………… 4.6. Communication, Education and Public awareness …………………… 4.6.1. D-MAP Project logo design ………………………………………….. 4.6.2. Public awareness and education ……………………………………… 4.6.2.1. Local awareness…………………………………………………….. 4.6.2.1.1. Public awareness among the local community……………………. 4.6.2.1.2. Public awareness for local schools ……………………………….. 4.6.2.1.3 Public awareness for local decisions makers……………………. 4.6.2.1.4. Environmental Educational and public awareness materials……… 4.6.3. National and international publicity…………………………………... 4.6.4. Communication, collaboration and partnership ……………………… Communication and collaboration…………………………………………… Communication and policy………………………………………………….. Communication and funding………………………………………………… 4.7. Support the National Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation………….. 4.7.1. Linking the project with GEPA first Management Plan………………. 4.7.2. Contributions of the project in support the national plans …………… 4.7.3. Contribution in prepare the national Conservation Strategy for Plants within the Egyptian Protected Areas Network ……………………………… 5. Fifth Part: Lesson learned and Recommendations………………………... References……………………………………………………………………. Appendices…………………………………………………………………… Project financial and expenditures……………………………………………

82 82 85 85 86 86 86 86 87 89 93 94 94 95 95 96 96 96 96 97 101 102 105


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List of figures: Figure 1: Dracaena ombet tree Figure 2: Rainfall amount for GEPA (From 1999-2008) Figure 3: Bishari man and a traditional Bishari house style Figure 4: Ababda traditional dancing and ceremonies Figure 5: Rashaydi children and their houses style Figure 6: GE's biodiversity (gazelle and mangrove forest) Figure 7: GE's biodiversity (coculus pendulus plants and lappet-faced vulture) Figure 8: Project Problems Tree Figure 9: Project Solutions Tree Figure 10: Local community participation in field paraprofessional training Figure 11: Survival status of ombet tree Figure 12: number and status of populations (survived vs. dead tree) Figure 13: age structure for the Dracaena ombet trees in GE Figure 14: age classes for the Dracaena ombet trees in GE Figure 15: Dracaena ombet age classes' scheme Figure 16: Altitudinal patterns of the ombet tree in GE Figure 17: Project team activities for remove parasites species form the D.ombet Figure 18: Grazing patterns on Dracaena ombet and inside its habitats in GE Figure 19: drought effect stages on Dracaena ombet Fig 20: ombet seedling in Camerba mountain Fig 21: Sign for ombet regeneration in W.Ghway Fig 22: Local community detect a young dead ombet seedling Fig 23: Good Signs for regeneration in Camerba mountain Fig 24.Vegetative propagation attempts for ombet tree with cooperation of locals Fig 25: Vegetative parts of ombet tree that used for propagation experiments Fig 26: Local community care with and carry out propagation experiment for Dracaena ombet in a community nursery in GE Fig 27: 'Fan-Tailed Raven' colonies inside the ombet woodland on GE high slopes Fig 28: 'Fan-Tailed Raven' birds and ombet tree in GE Figure 29: Project Database interface Fig 30: user interfaces for the preliminary GIS-based monitoring program software Figure 31: Trainees during their participation in the project management training Figure 32: General and interior view for the Filed station proposed design Figure 33: some of the project's produced handicrafts by locals Figure 34: handicrafts exhibition and local's participation in TV shows Figure 35: project team meeting and participation with local community in GE Fig 36: Environmental education symposiums in the local schools Fig 37: Workshops and drawing activities in the local schools Figure 38: some of the local student's artworks pieces Figure 39: establishment the Future Conservationist Club in Abo Ramad school Figure 40: the public awareness symposium for local university's students Figure 41: the public awareness workshops for local community and key agencies Figure 42: Red Sea governorate visit for Wade Aedieb Fig 43: Some of the project's environmental educational materials Fig 44: The first children story about GE and Dracaena ombet with cooperation of the BioMAP Figure 45: Ombet tree Story cover and samples for its content Fig 46: Sample for the fact sheets about the ombet for the local schools in GE


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List of maps: Map 1:D.ombet global distribution Map 2: Gabel Elba (project area) location Map 3: Gabel Elba's habitats Map 4: GE's habitats and the representatives' landscapes Map 5: Participatory eco-geographical D.ombet distribution map Map 6: Distribution map of Dracaena ombet in Gabel Elba, Egypt Map 7: Spatial distribution patterns/Regions of Dracaena ombet in Gabel Elba Map 8: Survival status of ombet tree Map 9: D.ombet Healthy status classes Map 10: D.ombet’s Extent of Occurrence in case 1 Map 11: D.ombet’s Extent of Occurrence in case 2 Map 12: different ombet eco-geographical zones (vector map for ombet distribution) Map 13: Satellite raster map for the ombet distribution

List of tables: Table 1: Metrological data of the Northern part of GEPA ( Ras Banas to Shalateen ) Table 2: Metrological data of the Southern part of GEPA (Adaldeeb to Halaib) Table 3: Average Rainfall data for GEPA’s Southern sector adapted form Halaib WS data Table 4: Average data for rainfall in GEPA’s Northern sector amount (From 1961-1990) Table 5: Water resources locations and Validity of use inside Gabel Elba Table 6: D.ombet population's locations in Gabel Elba Table 7: D.ombet's Populations size and distribution in GE Table 8: D.ombet's Populations trend: Table 9: Decline rate for each location Table 10: D.ombet size classes' scheme attributes Table 11: Local medicinal uses of D.ombet in GE Table 12: main associated indigenous plants in D. ombet's habitats Table 13: limiting factors/parameters that control the distribution of the ombet population s Table 14: Standard Protection index for Dracaena ombet populations in Gabel Elba Table 15: DoMAP-GIS based Database content and available data's layers Table 16: GEPA’s staff capabilities: (SWOT analysis) Table 17: project partners and their roles in support the Dracaena ombet tree conservation

List of appendices Annex 1. Project Brochure (Front and back side) Annex 2. Project Poster No 1 Annex 3. Project fact sheet 1 Annex 4. project article in the mountain forum bulletin Annex 5: illustrated fact sheets about the ombet


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Acknowledgements: This project and report are dedicated to the communities of the Elba Protected Area, and for memory of our colleagues Mustafa Ramadan and Ossman Hassy. We would like to express our gratitude to all the people who contributed in this work. A special thank to all the Basharia and Ababda tribes people who shared their traditional experience with us, in particular Sheikh Mohammed Hassay, Hussein Abd-Elsied, Eisa Mohamed El-Sheief, Ossman Karar, Mohammed Gomma and Mohammed Aoudallah. We are grateful to the CLP team for their continuous support, funding the DMAP project and contribution in preparation this report and the Dracaena ombet conservation and action plan. A special thanks to Dr. M. Fouda, Director of NCS for his continuous support for the project activities and his valuable recommendations and cooperation, For Dr. Sherif Baha El din and Dr.J.Grangier for their continuous support for the project during the preparation and implementation and for their contributions for the project. We would like to thank all GEPA's Staff for their precious support and assistance We would like to acknowledge Mr. Mohammed Gad, director of Red Sea Southern sector, Dr. Mahmoud Hanafy, Scientific advisor for Red sea parks, Dr. Samy Zalat, BioMAP-Egypt project national Coordinator for their valuable support to the project team members., and Mr. Adam Saadallah, RSPADA board chief, and all RSPADA staff for their special assistance to the Project team. We also acknowledge the cooperation we received from LIFE Project, Red Sea Parks, Culture and Nature Heritage documentation Center, in particular Dr.Hala Barakat, the director of the Nature heritage documentation department. Specials thanks for Mr. Shaheer Youstos and Miss. Cloudia Yostso and Off Road Egypt Company for their assistance and volunteering with us during implementation the project.


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Suggested Citation:

Ghazali, U., et al 2008. The globally endangered Dracaena ombet

monitoring and assessment project in Gabel Elba protected area, Egypt. Final Report, Conservation Leadership Programme.


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DMAP Project Team Members

Usama Mohammed, ranger, 28 years BSc. Botany, South Valley University, Egypt, MSc. student, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Egypt. Senior ranger in GEPA from 2001, six year experience in monitoring and conservation plant-diversity in GEPA, Egypt, experience in community work in remote rural areas, good experience in using GIS.

El Baily Hatab, ranger, 32 years PhD student,his research on acacia and arid ecosystems, he got his M.Sc. in field of Plant Ecology, have been working for seven years as ranger in saint kathrine park,sinai,Egypt. wide experience in In-situ conservation actions, he initiate and run a number of conservation programs such as: the enclosures program and Acacia rehabilitation in sinai.

Ali Dora, ranger, 28 years

Bsc. Chemist, University, Egypt. Ranger in GEPA from 2004, he has a good experience in community work and has a wide experience in gathering the ethno botanical data. He belong to Bisharia tribe; and has a good advocacy experience, this help him during the project to act as coordinator for the project team.

Hassan Hamed Arkeeb, local community member, 18 years. student in Abo Ramad secondary school, Egypt. He belong to Bisharia tribe for that he speak Bedawi, also he is young but he has a wide experience in flora of Elba Mountain, he gained a good skills and experience during his work before as voluntary assistance-community guide for Egyptian Desert research center. He work for along time with his father, the famous herbalist in GEPA, as a community guide for many researches within GEPA, he consider the youngest herbalist inside GEPA

Mohammed Aoud, community guide, 33 years.

good reading & writing skills.He work as community gauid in GEPA , wide experience in guiding and work inside GEPA, good traditional knowledges, has a wide relation with the local community inside the area especially inside the southern part and he has also a good communication skills with indigenous people.

Gamma Ossman, Ranger, 26 years Bsc. anthropology. She work as ranger in GEPA from 2004, have agood experience about the nature and local community of GE, also she belong to Bishara tribe, this give her a good experience in community work in this remote rural areas.

Mohammed Mansour, Ranger, 25 years

Bsc. Geology, South Valley University, Full time MSc. student, South Valley University, Egypt. He work as ranger in GEPA from 2003, has a wide experience and well trained on GIS application, good experience in a Fieldwork.


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Hassan El Nemery, Community guide, 28 years He has a secondary schools certificate and work as community guide in GEPA, wide experience in guiding and work inside GEPA, good traditional knowledge, has a wide relation with the local community inside the area and good communication skill with indigenous people.

Project Team


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Executive Summary

This report is submitted in fulfillment of the terms and conditions of the Conservation Leadership Programme Future Conservationist Award of $10,500 made to the Dracaena ombet tree Monitoring and Assessment Project in Egypt in 2007. This award was granted to the project team in Gabel Elba Protected Area to conduct intensive survey and monitoring program and prepare a first conservation action plan for conservation the globally endangered tree Dracaena ombet and establish a long term field monitoring program for conservation and assessment this species in Egypt with fully participation for local community and stockholders as a first step towards effective conservation action on the global level inside it distribution range. This report represents a final project status description and results after completion the project period from May 2007-May 2008. It is concerned with the activities funded by and implemented as a result of the CLP Future Conservationist Award and also with cooperation the other partners in Egypt under this project. D.ombet is listed as endangered plant (EN) in the IUCN Red List, is one of the few species that can survive the extensive periods of drought in all parts of its range and is likely to therefore be an important part of the desert ecosystem D.ombet, grows on Gabel Elba in Egypt and also in Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Somalia. This project has been conducting inside GEPA, this park is Egypt’s most important Protectorate, is a “biodiversity hotspot” in Egypt, many afro-tropical elements have their northern limits at Gabel Elba. The project results indicated that this flagship species has a fragmented distribution with different subpopulations showing varying degrees of vigor. The project team has recorded 13 locations for presence of the Dracaena ombet on Elba Mountains, which grow at elevation range from 450 to 1250 m. The species face a rapid decline in its habitats quality and population size. It seems likely that a major cause of the decline in extent and quality of Dracaena woodland is the climate change as very gradual drying of the area of south Egypt. Among its habitats the population size equal 383 trees, with very low signs for regeneration, only 163 trees detected survived that represents only 46.1% survival percent from that total detected population size. This indicates that there is loss and decline in D.ombet Area of Occupancy in GE about 36.36 % in 2007. the local community have a well traditional conservation system, but it seem the current drought and unstable socio-economic conditions in this area affected this conservation system, so there is urgent need for promote and support a community based conservation initiative in GE for conservation the dracaena ombet and its critical habitats.


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Project outputs and Achievements to-date Summary: A. Contribution in Capacity Building of GEPA Rangers, RSPADA (local NGO)

and Gabel Elba’s local community

A1. Coordination and Facilities support

- The project contributed in establishment the primary seed for small Geographic

information System (GIS) Unit in Gabel Elba Protected Area. This unit has been helped in support the Dracaena ombet tree monitoring activities, in addition for other activities such as invasive plant, gazelle and Nubian ibex monitoring activities.

- Drawn up a Memorandum of Understanding with Red Sea Protected Area

Development Association (RSPADA) to facilitate the coordination and for more involvement of the local NGOs in the D.ombet conservation actions.

- In 2008 the project team with cooperation of GEPA and RSPADA awarded a

5000$ small grant from the Red Sea Governorate for their joint project in conservation of Dracaena ombet, this grant has been used for established the first Field station for monitoring the Biodiversity and Climate Change and also provides a community services. The CLP has been appointed as the sponsor for this station through direct contribution in establishment of this station and initiation this project.

A2.Training, education and community livelihood

- Initiate a small program for support handicrafts products and local women participation in GEPA. This includes training sessions, meetings, provided raw materials, organizing and participation in 2 handicrafts exhibitions in Egypt for marketing their handicrafts and the project activities.

- The project team held training workshop included 7 rangers from GEPA staff

and another 5 rangers from other national parks in Egypt, this training workshop included sessions and training on GIS and project management.

- In August 2007, the project team conducted In-field and On-job Training

(paraprofessional training) involved 5 rangers, 8 community guides and 5 local community members. This field training focused on endangered tree monitoring techniques, using camera for photography, GPS and provided on-the-job training and assistance with data analysis skills.

- The project team leader received training in biodiversity monitoring, data

basing and communication and participated in Darwin's scholarship training program in the UK in August 2008. (This participation supported by the British


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council-Egypt and the Field Studies Council in the UK, during the period form 8-18 Aug.2008).

B. Dracaena ombet Monitoring and Assessment

- Conducted and complete the field surveys and monitoring program for D.ombet

tree population in GE.

- Prepared the first report on status of D.ombet in Egypt. This report distributed to NCS, DRC and SVU.

- Conducted the project community work and related traditional knowledge

documentation and analysis, the results included in the target D.ombet

conservation action plan

- Prepare the first socio-economic assessment report about local communities of GE and their livelihood.

- Designed a preliminary participatory monitoring program for D.ombet and

established some base line permanent plots for long term monitoring in GEPA.

- Prepare a preliminary report about the global status for ombet and the status of its habitats inside it’s globally distribution range and produced a globally D.ombet distribution GIS-map.

C. CEPA, Communication, Education and Public Awareness

- Raised awareness of local communities about importance of D.ombet and their participation in its conservation inside communities of Wade Yahmeb, Wade Aedieb and Abo Ramad village through conducted 3 meetings, interviews and organized and participatory surveys.

- Raised awareness among the local schools in Abo Ramad village through

conducted 4 symposiums, one day environmental campaign, 2 workshops for environmental drawing activities

- Conducted a symposium for students of botany department in South valley

university, Qena, Egypt. This activity focused on raise awareness of the university students on importance of D.ombet and discusses and explores with them the potential roles and responsibilities of the university students and staff towards the Dracaena ongoing conservation actions.

- Participation in organization a 3 days environmental education workshop in

Shalateen town, with partnership of GEPA MU and Life Red Sea Project. This workshop included representatives for the local communities, NGOs, local authorities and the Local Environmental Affairs Committee’s members. (through this workshop the project team presented a GE’s expedition film show


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, Organized a field trip and visit for the workshop participant for W. Aedieb to raise their awareness about its biodiversity)

- Designed, produced and distribute an education pack about the project and the

Dracaena ombet for local use within the local schools in Abo Ramad village.

- Publicizing and dissemination information about the project activities nationally, and globally, this included:

• Published 2 articles in a local magazine ( National Egyptian Ahram journal (June 2008) and the local Int.News journal (Dec.2007))

• Submitted an article for Global Mountain Forum Bulletin in Jan. 2008

• Submitted and published a scientific paper for (ICMDO) the International Centre for Mountain Development's online conference entitled '' Empowering local community-GIS in Egypt: case study for use the Google Earth as community based-conservation tool in Gabel Elba Protected Area (GEPA), Egypt''.

• Published and circulate the project activities news in the Bio-net international Bulletin, Global Mountain Forum website.

• Submitted paper about the project for the Regional Geoinformatics and Natural Disasters Early Warning system conference, Kuwait, will be held in 26-28 Nov.2008. This paper entitled ''Endangered Dracaena ombet tree species in Egypt: decline, climate change disturbance and the need for an Early Warning System''.

• Submitted and presented oral presentation in the Egyptian environment Day celebrity conference in June 2008. the presentation available online through the Egyptian Environment Affairs Agency website (www.eeaa.gov.eg/wed2008/paper/usama.ppt)

• Project team initiated online group (Conservation Egypt) that used for circulate news among Egyptian groups and forums members.

• Presented an oral presentation in the UK, through participation of the team leader in Darwin's scholarship program in August 2008. (This participation supported by the British council-Egypt and the Field Studies Council in the UK, during the period form 8-18 Aug.2008).

• Project results have been involved in the Egyptian National environmental outlook 2007, and selected as success story and role model for conservation the endangered species in Egypt.

• The project results have contributed in produce the 4th Egyptian National biodiversity report that submitted for the CBD COP9 in Bonn in May 2008.

• The project results have contributed in produce the Egyptian National Mountain status report, which prepared and submitted for the Egyptian Environment Affairs Agency in March 2008.

- Initiate cooperation with the IUCN-Cacti and Succulent Plant Specialist Group

(CSPSG), which the project team leader jointed this group as the first Egyptian succulent plants specialist to be member with this group.


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- Produced and distributed poster and brochure about the project, and

conservation the endangered D.ombet in GEPA.

- Participation in produced a pilot children story about the D.ombet, with the theme of conservation D.ombet and combating the threats of invasive species which faced the biodiversity in GEPA, in collaboration with the project partners ‘BioMAP-Egypt project and NCS’

- Design and launch a specific website for RSPADA and online conservation

group about the project and D.ombet tree conservation.

- Participation in many local and national activities for raising awareness and promote a decision makers towards more concern for D.ombet and endangered species in GEPA, this included:

• Team leader participation in the Arab-Man and Biosphere scientific committee meeting in Sharm El sheikh, Egypt July 2007.

• Organized a field visit for the Red sea’s southern region’s environmental committee’s members for GE.

• The project team leader has participated and leaded a field visit for the Red Sea’s governor for Gabel Elba. This visit included a field visit for the Red Sea governor for W. Aedieb, Gable Elba, and conducting discussion meeting with the local community about the current problems and challenges and the potential solutions.

D. Long term Monitoring program, Policy and Partnership for support the

ongoing conservation actions in GEPA.

- Design and Prepare a Dracaena MAP-Data Base for support long term monitoring program for D.ombet in GEPA.

- Prepared a D-MAP- GIS data base includes several related files ‘’shpfiles’’ for the project and the Gabel Elba Protected Area information.

- Prepared a preliminary design for simple graphics-based-interface GIS-based monitoring program software to enable to be use by local community using a simple GPS Skills.

- As there is urgent need for involving the Dracaena ombet conservation action on a national context and within national plans, the project team have been developed the first lines for the Egyptian strategy for conservation plant within the protected areas, this strategy sited the dracaena as high priority species for undertake conservation action in Egypt .

- The project team leader has lead GEPA rangers for prepare the first management plan for GEPA; this management plan produced in July 2008, and involved the Dracaena ombet status survey and conservation and action plan as contribution from the CLP project in GEPA MP.


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- Prepared a submit pre-proposal for the START Program for initiate a project for conservation the Dracaena ombet tree against the climate change ( proposal didn’t pass the first phase of evaluation)

- Conduct a Wake-up Call; and contribution in establishment and participation in international partnership for conservation the Dracaena ombet tree and other endangered Dracaena species this partnership named as (The Dragon Partnership), this partnership included members from Norway (Bergen university), Yemen (Socatra Development Project), the UK (Kew Botanic Garden) and Egypt ( GEPA, Dracaena-MAP project and botany department in south valley university)

- As result for initiate The Dragon Partnership, the partnership member prepared and submitted a proposal for funding for 'the Norway research council' this proposal entitled 'Taxonomic, population and conservation research on Dracaena ombet' ( waiting final decision)

- For management the invasive plants in GEPA as one of the serious threats for GE ecosystems and particularly on Dracaena ombet, the project team has developed a cooperation with some specialist from the UK, and a proposal for funding has prepared and submitted for DFID for raise fund for conduct more research and management for the invasive mesquite tree in GE ( this proposal get a primary approval and waiting the final decision)

- Proposal for funding and request submitted for the Red Sea Governorate for raise fund for establish a long term monitoring station for Dracaena ombet and GEPA's biodiversity (proposal accepted and 5000$ raised for establish this station)

- Proposal for funding submitted for the British Council-Egypt for organize an environmental initiative in GEPA for support the local schools through promote involvement of children in biodiversity observation and outdoors activities (proposal accepted and about 2000$ raised for conduct the project by October 2008)

- Initiate cooperation with British Council-Egypt and Filed Studies Council-UK, which it expected that by 2009, the FSC and BC will be supported the project team and RSPADA with small grant and technical support for organize an environmental education project for engage the local schools in the environmental activities in GE. These activities will include training for teachers and students and outdoors activities in GE.


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Project evaluation against the outputs: A comparison of the achievement to date against the project outputs in the original

project proposal to CLP shows the following progress:

1- In-situ conservation for at least 10% of D.ombet in GEPA - achieved as far as

possible 2- Production a short-term monitoring and conservation status assessment reports-

completely achieved. And conservation action plan for D.ombet in GEPA- completely achieved.

3- Production a GIS-based map for distribution and extent of occurrence of D.ombet

in Egypt- completely achieved.

4- Preparation a community-based-long term monitoring program for assessment and conservation D.ombet in GEPA.-completely achieved. 5- Documentation local community traditional knowledge related to D.ombet- completely achieved. 6- Contribution in strengthened a capacity of local community and a relevant stockholders in conservation endangered species by active participation. Good

achievements. 7- Contribution in increasing the public awareness between stockholders with values of Dracaena and importance of a partnership for conservation actions, and promotion local community to sustain utilization dracaena-completely achieved. The project results to date also have been contributed to some ongoing conservation

efforts inside GEPA, as follow:

A - Preparation and signing a local collaborative agreement between the local community and the key agencies inside GEPA. Good achievements. - B - Project team with local people, RSPADA and GEPA's ranger will start after the project in implementation the long term monitoring plan to sustain ongoing conservation for D.ombet. Good progress but probably 2-3 years away after the

project. - C - We will provide our assistance to the researches inside GEPA, to facilitate the accessibility access for this remote area- good progress - D - We will start after the project in Re-assessment Dracaena depending on the IUCN Red List Criteria at national level-some progress - E - We will co-operate with NCS, NCSCB and Bio-MAP after the project to prepare in-situ conservation project proposal for Dracaena in GE, and will submit it to GEF-SGP- good achievements.


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First Part: Introduction:

1.1. The report structure:

Why this report:

This report is submitted in fulfillment of the terms and conditions of the Conservation Leadership Programme Future Conservationist Award of $10,500 made to the Dracaena-MAP –Egypt project in 2007. This report represents the project results and outputs after completion the project. It is concern with activities that funded by and implemented as a result of the CLP's Future Conservationist Award and with support of other project partners in Egypt.

For whom this report:

This report is prepared and submitted mainly for the CLP's team and its partners. This report contains information may be useful for many other parties, which it focuses specifically on assessment the current status of endangered tree Dracaena ombet in Egypt, with some depth literature review and organization for the D.ombet distribution and status in the global level. The report address specifically the research and survey results for D.ombet, but also describe the related activities which carried parallel with the research activities under the project such as public awareness; capacity building and training; GIS work; traditional knowledge documentation and community work.

Report scope: The report data and results related only for Gable Elba area between latitude 22 to 22.30 and longitude 35 to 37. It is give detailed results and the first conservation status for the endangered Dracaena ombet tree in Egypt among the period from April 2007- August 2008.

Accompanying documents:

The following documents have been attached with this report, and also will be available thorough the project website:

• Dracaena ombet's Survey status and Conservation Action Plan

• Dracaena ombet's Preliminary global status report

• Gabel Elba Socio-Economic Study

• Photographic appendices for the project activities

• Project publications (articles, posters, brochure and children story)


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1.2. The project background

1.2.1. Overview of the target species and need for the project:

Dracaena ombet is a globally endangered tree, belong to Agava family, it listed as endangered plant (EN) in the IUCN Red List, is one of the few species that can survive the extensive periods of drought in all parts of its range and is likely to therefore be an important part of the desert ecosystem Dracaena ombet, grows on Gabel Elba in Egypt and also in Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Somalia. This plant recorded in the highest zones of slope of Gabel Elba, which the occurrence of Dracaena in Gabel Elba is its most northern limit within the red sea costal mountains and all its distribution range in the world. Is in rapid decline due to Overgrazing, over-cutting, droughts and possibly attack by parasitic pests or disease have contributed to the decline. In northern Sudan it appears that the populations of D. ombet have completely vanished from Erkowit. There is no enough up to date information about population or ecology of Dracaena ombet in Egypt. Dracaena populations occur in a remote areas which not easily accessible for researchers.

Figure 1. Dracaena ombet tree Map 1.D.ombet global distribution


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1.2. 2- Overview of the Project Area

1.2.2.1. Location The Gabel Elba Protected Area is located in the southeast corner of the Eastern Desert and encompasses a total area of some 35,600 km². It is located between the longitudes 22°00'N - 23°50'N, and the latitudes 35°00'E - 37°00'E. The boundaries extend more than 50 km north of Shalatein south to the boarder with Sudan, east covering the coral reefs and islands of the Red Sea west into the Eastern Desert. The GEPA was declared by Prime Ministerial Decree 450 for 1986, adjusted by Prime Ministerial Decrees No 1186 for 1986, 642 for 1995. The boundaries of the park were readjusted in 2006 which the islands and coastal mangroves north of Shalatein are currently being managed as a separate entity as part of the Red Sea Protected Area. The project area mainly located within Elba Mountain area in the southern part of GEPA between longitudes 22°00'N - 22°30'N, and the latitudes 36°30'E - 37°00'E.

Map 2: location map for Elba Protected Area with focus on Elba Mountain area

1.2. 2.1.1 General Description

The Elba Protected Area was declared by Prime Ministerial Decree 450 for 1986, adjusted by Prime Ministerial Decree 1186 for 1986 and Prime Ministerial Decree 642 for 1995. GEPA is located between the longitudes 22°00'N - 23°50'N, and the latitudes 35°00'E - 37°00'E, with an area of about 35,600 km² it is the country’s largest declared protected area. The Elba Protected Area can be subdivided into five


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landscape units: the Elba Mountains, the coastal plain, the Red Sea shore and marine ecosystem, the Abraq sand stone enclave and the Eastern Desert Mountains and wadis. The Elba Mountains (Gabel Elba), the specific area for this project, which are the most significant focal point in the Protected Area, encompass a cluster of coastal mountains overlooking the Red Sea, immediately to the North of the borders with Sudan. Most prominent are Gebel Elba (1,435m), Gebel Shellal (1,409m), Gebel Shendib (1,911m) and Gebel Shendodai (1,526m). These are the Southern most of the Egyptian Red Sea Mountains. Gebel Elba it self enjoys higher precipitation than any of the other mountains in the region, even the higher ones, primarily because of its closeness to the sea and its favourable position in the face of moisture laden North Easterly winds. The only place in Egypt where “the desert looks like a forest’’, average annual rainfall in the region is less than 50 mm, although orographic precipitation on Gebel Elba amounts to as much as 400 mm. The summit of Gebel Elba is a "mist oasis" where a considerable part of precipitation is contributed in the form of dew or mist and clouds, which often shroud the mountaintop, creating a unique and rare ecosystem, not found anywhere else in Egypt. Aridity increases notably from the North East to the South West. The greater part of the protected area is occupied by hilly country; a part of the Red Sea mountain system, of which the Elba mountains is a part. The most important of these mountains include: Hamra Doum, Garf, Abu Hadid, Abraq and Meshbeh. A network of numerous small, deeply cut wadis drain the mountains into several major wadis, which flow either towards the Red Sea or the Nile Valley. Most of the major wadis in this region drain towards the Red Sea. The important wadis of the region include: Wadi Hoodein, Wadi Foqa, Wadi Aideib, Wadi Deib, Wadi Serimtai, Wadi Ibib and Wadi Shaeit. A coastal plain of varying width separates the mountains from the Red Sea coast to the East, being the narrowest opposite Gebel Elba. The plain is made of undulating sand and gravel, interrupted in parts by wadis, which flow towards the Red Sea, where scattered Acacia trees and some desert scrub may occur. Most of the Red Sea shores stretching between Bernice and Halaib are low and sandy, being fringed by corals and have mudflats and extensive mangrove swamps, composed of two species Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata, in many parts. The coast and islands included within the Protected Area support a diverse terrestrial flora and fauna, as well as, a rich marine ecosystem. GEPA encompasses an enormous variety of habitats and landscape features, ranging from coral reefs to mountain habitats. The main habitats that can be recognized: marine and coastal: rocky shoreline, sandy beaches, tidal flats, lagoons, sabkhas, saltmarsh, mangroves, extensive fringing reefs, sea grass beds, islands and terrestrial: acacia parkland, desert scrubland, sand sheets, dunes, hamada plains, vegetated and non-vegetated wadis, mountains, hills and steep cliffs.

1.2. 2.1.2 Climate The Southern part of the Egyptian desert is one of the extremely arid areas of the world. Tables 1 and 2 show that: The mean minimum temperature that was recorded for the Southern sector is 16.5C and for the Northern sector is 11.4C during February and January respectively. The mean maximum temperature is 37C and 38.7C which was recorded in July for the two sectors respectively. The area is almost rainless. In the period from 1964 to 1981, only 12.49 mm annual rainfall was recorded for the


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Northern sector parts while 27.8 mm was recorded in the same time for the Southern sector parts. The relative humidity shows that the atmosphere is dry throughout the year (RH=47.2%) for the Southern parts, and may be more humidity in South (RH=60%), but seasonal variation is evident; it is drier in summer than in winter.

Table 1 Metrological data of the Northern part of GEPA (Ras Banas to Shalateen )

Table 2 Metrological data of the Southern part of GEPA (Adaldeeb to Halaib)

Data Period

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Mean Maximum Temperature (deg. C)

1961- 1990

24.9 25.7 27.5 30.6 31.1 35.7 37.0 37.1 33.7 32.4 27.7 24.9

Mean Temperature (deg. C)

1961- 1990

20.9 21.1 22.7 25.5 27.3 30.5 31.5 31.9 29.4 28.1 24.1 21.3

Mean Minimum Temperature (deg. C)

1961- 1990

16.8 16.5 18.0 20.5 23.4 25.3 26.1 26.7 25.1 23.8 20.5 17.6

Rainfall Amount (mm)

1961- 1990

0.6 Trace Trace 0.5 1.2 Trace 0.2 Trace 0.0 3.2 17.9 4.2

Days with Rain* 1961- 1990

0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.4 0.7

Source: Halaib data derived from GHCN 1 (www.worldclimate.com). 434 months between 1961 and 1990

1.2. 2.1.3 Geomorphology . The Southern part of the Eastern desert it is considered as a complex geological area, which is general covered by the basement and transition stones, while in the West the basement stones are found upper the Nubian sandstone. Gabel Elba is remarked by the hard topography except the costal plains which reach in width from 15 to 25 km, elevation reach about 1500 m over the sea level, the slopes tend towards the East and the drainages runs from the mountainous area in West towards the Red Sea coast in East. Geo-morphologically, the area can be divided into three major units: the Red Sea high mountains, the coastal hilly area and lower mountains, and the coastal plain and the Red Sea coast.


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1.2. 2.1.4. GEPA Hydrology

1.2. 2.1.4.1. Rainfall:

Table 3: Average Rainfall data for GEPA’s Southern sector adapted form Halaib WS data

(From 1961-1990)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual

Mm 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.4 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 3.2 23.9 4.4 33.6

Table 4: Average data for rainfall in GEPA’s Northern sector amount (From 1961-1990)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual

Mm 0.0 0.1 0.6 1.4 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 13.0 0.2 17.4

Table 5: Precipitation data (From 1961-1990)

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Total

(mm) 1 tr Tr 1 1 Tr 0 tr 0 3 18 4

Sources: Halaib data derived from GHCN 1 (www.worldclimate.com). 434 months between 1961 and 1990

Figure 2: Rainfall amount for GEPA (From 1999-2008)

Source: European commission's assessment report for African Protected Areas (2008)

1.2. 2.1.4.2. Groundwater In the deserts of Egypt the surface water resources are generally very limited. Therefore, groundwater resources constitute a cornerstone for the livelihood of local people and many biotic elements. The groundwater resources in the Eastern Desert originate mainly from occasional rainfall that partially infiltrates through the friable loose sediments and accumulates in basement depressions or is trapped by faults and buried dykes.


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The ground water resources in GEPA can be classified into:

• Natural reservoirs within the stone (ghalats), water consumes as results for evaporation.

• Natural springs: such as abraq springs which have fresh water.

• Deep wells which take water form the Nubian sandy stone, not fresh water.

• Shallow wells in the wadi soil have salty water.

Table 5: Water resources locations and Validity of use inside Gabel Elba

No/ legend

Name Type Region Current Validity as drink source

Current Use by people

Source for wild animals

1 Frowkit Shallow Well Halaib Yes Yes Yes

2 Kosheit Magal/Ghalat Gabel Elba Yes Yes Yes

3 Aedieb Spring Gabel Elba Yes Yes Yes

4 Akaw Spring Gabel Elba No No Yes

5 Marfay Magal/Ghalat Gabel Elba No No Yes

6 Akamtri Shallow Well Gabel Elba No No Yes

7 Darwina Spring Gabel Elba No No Yes

8 Sarara sermiti Shallow Well Gabel Elba Yes Yes No

1.2. 2.2. Local communities and indigenous culture:

GEPA inhabits by three main local tribes, The Ababda and Bisharia and Rashida tribes, the former two are indigenous to the area from many thousands years. The Bisharia are the largest tribe in the GEPA, and concentrated mainly inside GE mountains areas, inside the project study area, this tribe’s territory extends into south east Egypt, north east Sudan and Eritrea, and the majority of GE local community represents from the Bisharia tribes. The rich and diverse traditional culture of the local Bisharia, Ababda and Rashayda tribes forms an important and integral part of the local landscape and is a valuable part of Egypt’s cultural heritage. These communities have their own family structure, customs, dress, ornaments, music, dance, food, building styles and handicrafts. They also have a unique oral tradition, including history, legends and folklore. The tribes, which are African and Arabian in culture, represent a unique part to this region of Egypt; thus, are one of its principle attractions


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1.2. 2.2.1. The Bisharia tribe:

Is a sedentary to semi-nomadic peoples of Hamatic descent speaking an unwritten language, “Beja”. The Bisharia occupy the southern sections of the PA including the vicinity of Gabel Elba. Populations in the park are subject to continuous fluctuations and movements dependent upon the seasonal availability of rangeland, including movements between Egypt and Sudan .

Figure 3: Bishari man and a traditional Bishari house style

1.2.2.2.2. The Ababda tribe:

Are indigenous tribes to the southern Eastern Desert, predominately found in the northern sections of the PA. Their territory is mainly north of Shalatein to Quseir as far west as the Nile Valley, with small numbers found south to Sudan. Although related to and similar in customs to the Bisharia, they are considered Arab in origin and speak a dialect of Arabic. Like the Bisharia, they are a sedentary to semi-nomadic people subject to seasonal movements. They are known to coexist and maintain good relations with the Bisharia.

Figure 4: Ababda traditional dancing and ceremonies


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1.2. 2.2.3. The Rashayda tribe:

Does non-indigenous tribe inhabit the coastal plains, originally, from Saudi Arabia; the tribe was expelled in 1846 and settled along the Red Sea coast of Sudan south to Eritrea. Families from the Rashayda tribe were residing in the Halaib when Egypt took over the administration of the area. The Egyptian government does not officially recognize Rashayda and their movement is restricted, confined to the coastal plain south of Shalatein. The Rashayda are more affluent than Bisharia and Ababda tribes playing a pivotal role in the camel trade and other trade between Egypt and Sudan. Relations between the Rashayda and the other tribes are strained as the Rashayda are perceived as outsiders and aggressive. The tribes are highly structured communities. Each of the three tribes has a Head Sheikh who represents the tribe as a whole and is based in Shalatein. The tribes are comprised of clans, which are further subdivided into families inhabiting different territories of the PA. Each of the clans has is own sheikh who is subordinate to the Head Sheikh.

Figure 5: Rashaydi child and their houses style

With the expansion of trade and development in the region, there has been an influx of Egyptians into the Elba PA from outside area, particularly from Upper Egypt, but also from further a field. Egyptians mainly reside and work in the coastal communities of Shalatein, Abo Ramad and Halaib. Sudanese also regularly visit the coastal settlements for trade.

1.2. 2.3. Social-Economic Context

The main socio-economic activities of the local tribes are livestock herding and charcoal production. There is some limited trade in other natural products, such as honey and wild plants sold as remedial medicines, as well as handicrafts. In the coastal communities there are commercial enterprises, including trade between Sudan and Egypt. This is mainly engaged in by Egyptians and the Rashayda. In recent years fishing has started to be practiced by the coastal communities, both by local tribesmen and Egyptians settling in the area.


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There is little in the way of agriculture in the Elba PA. There are a few permanent cultivations, mostly in the form of small gardens, such as at Bir Abraq. Other agriculture is grown on a limited scale on a seasonal basis depending upon the annual rainfall. The local community is not predisposed to agricultural production, largely as a result of the limited water resources and nomadic life style. Due to visitor restrictions, there is little in the way of foreign or national tourism to the Elba PA. Tourism development is rapidly expanding south of Marsa El Alam. This area was only open some three years ago, but there are now a half a dozen tourist developments underway or planned, the closest resort under construction is some 200 km away. Notes: A full socio-economic context included and attached as a socio-economic

study with the final project report

1.2. 2.4. Biodiversity of GEPA

1.2. 2.4.1. GEPA’s habitats:

To-date there No publications deal in-specific with the habitats of Gabel Elba area, or even with the ecosystem processes, only a few researches deal with some species. But some early publications exposure in general views some descriptions for this area features (Baha Eldin 2002) such as Schweinfurth (1865), Anderson (1898) and Hoogstraal et al. (1957). Kassas (1957) specifically included a detailed description for the ecology of Red Sea coastal habitats included description for the study area. Kassas & Zahran (1971) provide the first comprehensive description of the region’s Ecology. Kassas (1993) provided a definition for all of Egypt’s major habitats including those in the Elba region. Goodman (1985) and Baha El Din (1997) provided a general summary of the region’s habitats and their status. In general Gabel Elba Protected Area includes a variety of habitats and landscape features, ranging from coral reefs to mountain habitats. The varied climatic conditions, even on a micro geographical scale, along with the different landforms and topography provide many niches for numerous plants and animals (Baha el din 2002). The eco-geographical location as same as other variables contribute to the variability and uniqueness in the habitats these factors includes; substrate texture, roughness of terrain, slope, aspect, size of catchments areas, presence or absence of vegetation, cliffs and mountains are all landscape elements, which provide opportunities for various creatures and plants to survive (Baha el din 2002). GEPA encompasses an enormous variety of habitats and landscape features, ranging from coral reefs to mountain habitats. The main habitats that can be recognized:


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Map 3: Gabel Elba's habitats A- Marine habitats:

A – 1 - Open marine waters A – 2 - Sea grass beds A – 3 - Coral reefs A – 4 - Intertidal flats A – 5 - Sandy shores A – 6 - Islands habitat

B- Terrestrial habitats

B – 1 - Mangroves B – 2 - Salt marshes and Sabkha B – 3 – Costal Sand dunes B – 4 - Sand and gravel plains B – 5 – Costal Foot Hills B – 6 - Dunes B – 7 - Wades B – 8 - Mountain habitats B – 8 – 1- open Acacia parkland B – 8 – 2 – outliers mountainous ridges B – 8 – 3 – Mountainous slopes B – 8 – 3 – 1 – mist Oases B – 8 – 3 – 2 – low Slope (Closed mixed Acacia Parkland) B – 8 – 3 – 3 – Mid Slope B – 8 – 3 – 4 – Upper Slope B – 8 – 3 – 5 – Mountainous Wells and fresh water sources (Ghalat)


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Map 4: GE's habitats and the representatives' landscapes

1.2. 2.4.2. GEPA’s Biodiversity Global Importance

Gabal Elba is the outliers of the Afromontane “biodiversity hotspot”, supporting a biological diversity unparalleled in any other terrestrial environment in Egypt. Many Afro tropical elements have their northern limits at Gabal Elba. The relative abundance of moisture allows a diverse flora to exist; some 458 plant species are

known from Gabel Elba, representing almost 25% of plant species recorded in the country. On and at the base of the mountain there is dense cover of acacias and other scrubs which is the only natural woodland in Egypt.

Figure 6: GE's biodiversity (gazelle and mangrove forest)


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Other areas of importance for biodiversity in the region include: - Bir Abraq, a complex network of steep sandstone hills and winding sandy Wades containing perennial springs harbouring important populations of mammals, birds and reptiles; - Gabal Mishbeh and surrounding plains of importance to endangered mammals; - The coral reefs fringing the coast. Coral reefs are the richest habitats in Egypt in biodiversity with many species endemic to the Red Sea; - The coastal mangroves are the most extensive in the country and are important nurseries for marine life and breeding grounds for birds. The mangroves consist of two species, Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata, the later is only found in Egypt in this area that represents the north limits of its world distribution. - Siyal and Rawabel Islands are small, flat sandy islands fringed by coral reefs and are breeding grounds for globally threatened sea turtles and seabirds. The PA supports a unique and rich flora and fauna. It has the most diverse vertebrate fauna of the whole country and is herpetologically one of the richest and most distinct. There are at least 27 species of mammals, 38 species of reptiles and amphibians and some 60 species of breeding bird. The area contains important populations of plants and animals, including species that are endemic and near endemic, globally threatened, not found elsewhere in Egypt and have sharply declined in other parts of the country as global importance:

Figure 7: GE's biodiversity (coculus pendulus plants and lappet-faced vulture) - Several plant species endemic to Egypt are found here, including Biscutella elbensis,

solanum nigrum spp. elbaensis and Iflago spicata spp. elbaensis found only at Gabal

Elba. - Gerbillus mackillingini, an endemic rodent to the southern Eastern Desert has been recorded. - The bat, Desert Pipistril Pipistrellus ariel occurs; this restricted range species is considered globally threatened. This area has particular importance for large mammals, with a number of globally threatened species. The African Wild Ass Equus africanus is said to occur; feral donkeys in the Elba PA are thought to retain genes of this critically endangered species. The PA is home to one of the only remaining populations of Barbary Sheep Ammotragus lervia in Egypt,


34

this population is considered an endemic subspecies to the Eastern Desert. There are sizable populations of Nubian Ibex Capra nubiana and Dorcas Gazelle Gazella dorcas. Leopard Panthera pardus is reported to still occur in the mountains. White-eyed Gull Larus leucophthalmus is an endemic seabird to the Red Sea, with over 1% of the world population breeding on the Siyal Islands. The area has the largest resident population in Egypt of the globally threatened Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus, which occurs in internationally significant numbers. BirdLife

International designated four Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the PA: Gabal Elba and Bir Abraq for biome restricted species and Siyal Islands and Rawabal Islands for White-eyed Gull. Furthermore, the region is situated on internationally important migration routes for soaring birds, in particular for birds of prey. As a unique area rich in biodiversity of global importance, Egypt has obligations to the world community to conserve this region, including those mandated under the Biodiversity Convention. Gabel Elba has the potential to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A number of

species found in Elba PA are listed under CITES, CMS and AEWA agreements to which Egypt is signatory. The area is of high scientific interest and has genetic resources of potential future value. Given restricted access, studies of biodiversity of have been rather limited; and probably the area holds species that have yet to be described to science.

1.2. 2.5. Gabel Elba Protected Area's Management Effectiveness:

GEPA was declared by Prime Ministerial Decree 450 for 1986, adjusted by Prime Ministerial Decree 1186 for 1986 and Prime Ministerial Decree 642 for 1995. During the past seven years there is increasing in numbers of staff, where about 30 rangers has interdisciplinary scientific backgrounds and 34 community guides recruited and works for GEPA for three main sectors, Gabel Elba sector ‘southern sector’, Abraq sector ‘northern sector’ and Marine sector, about 95% of the staff from the local community. Basic management systems and infrastructure has been established for the PA through support from the EEAA and also EIECP. The GEPA’s sectors managed and followed the main Management Unit (GEPA MU) which located in Shalateen town in the northern part of GEPA. GEPA staff has some essential equipment which has been purchased by EEAA and EIECP including 6 4X4 vehicles and basic infrastructure included namely a main PA office in Shalateen and a small new established office in Abo Ramad village, in additions for staff accommodation. A visitor center and four field control units ‘out posts’ established during the last 2 years this for more promotion for eco-tourism and support GEPA management activities. The Protected Area is being actively managed within its manpower and resource constraints, leading to a significant enhancement of the EEAA/NCS presence in this remote area especially the last 7 years. There are regular desert patrols of the PA, for monitoring and ensuring of protection a wildlife, some monitoring programs defined and has been conducted on a species scale, such as ‘Barbary sheep monitoring program’, ‘D.ombet tree MP’ and ‘Ghazal and lapped faced MP’, also rangers implementing some limited educational programs especially with local schools. GEPA staff has been worked hardly during the last years for assessment and documentation a current resources which Information about the resources and the


35

current challenges of the PA is being documented, but its seem that most of the collected data didn’t inputted into special database, only it take a report styles which sending monthly for NCS. One of the best strengthen points for The PA, that The GEPA MU maintains good relations with the local authorities and tribal sheikhs, which there a good rapport with local people and tribes leaders. It seem that, the huge area of GEPA, 36,000 square km, effect of the efficient of the staff, which as mentioned above there is only one car for each 6000 sq km of this PA and one staff member for each 480 sq km of the total area. Therefore, and However, the staff work hardly for achieve the PA objectives but to date there is insufficient staff number, equipments, infrastructure or suitable training for building their capacity for more effective management for such this important PA. There is an urgent need for more exposure for important of this PA, this towards promote more financial support otherwise by national or international funding sources. There is need for insure long-term sustainability for the PA resources.

1.3. Project aims:

1.3.1. Project aims and objectives:

To contribute in conservation D.ombet in GEPA, Egypt by:1) collate existing data, document traditional knowledge, explore and assess Dracaena population and threats using Monitoring Protocols, and integrate with 2) participation the stockholders to draw together a problem analysis and solutions for conservation D.ombet using Research Action Participation & Participatory Rural Appraisal Protocols. More specifically the project pursued the following objectives

- 1- To conserve with local community at least 10% of D.ombet population against overgrazing and over-cutting threats. - 2- To assess the current conservation status of Dracaena in GEPA, by collates existing data on the plant, population and ecological data, local knowledge, and to Produce GIS-based map for Dracaena occurrence, at least for 80% of Dracaena population within GE. - 3- To produce a species conservation action plan inside GEPA, including monitoring reports and community-based long term monitoring plan. - 4- To document and preserve related traditional knowledge to Dracaena. - 5- To strengthen capacity of local people and relevant stockholders especially GEPA MU and NGOs in conservation actions, through active participation in the project, training to develop their knowledge, skills and experience; and infrastructure for ongoing conservation activities. -6- To conclude collaborative agreement between the key agencies operating in GEPA and local community to empower local community to lead a biodiversity conservation, and to contribute toward a partnership for conservation Dracaena. -7- To increase awareness of values of Dracaena; by public awareness activities and community participation in the project field and community works and to mitigate current and potential human threats; and -8- To contribute in implementing the National Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation


36

1.3.2. Project outputs:

Based on the project’s objectives, the success of the project will measure depending on six key outputs have been identified, each arising from a series of targeted activities and achievements indicators. -1- In-situ conservation for at least 10% of D.ombet in GEPA, by established protection enclosures, as indicator and nucleus for a future monitoring and conservation actions and by developing experiences of stockholders. - 2- Production a short-term monitoring and conservation status assessment reports and conservation action plan for D.ombet in GEPA, to hand over to the Egyptian Nature Conservation Sector, NGOs, project partners and decision makers. - 3- Production a GIS-based map for distribution and extent of occurrence of D.ombet

in Egypt, available for future researches. - 4- Preparation a community-based-long term monitoring program for assessment and conservation D.ombet in GEPA with specific roles for stockholders. - 5- Documentation local community traditional knowledge related to D.ombet. - 6- Contribution in strengthened a capacity of local community and a relevant stockholders in conservation endangered species by active participation, training and a good rapport towards partnership, towards implementation of a long-term monitoring program and future conservation action plan with good primary infrastructure and equipment after the project. - 7- Contribution in increasing the public awareness between stockholders with values of Dracaena and importance of a partnership for conservation actions, and promotion local community to sustain utilization dracaena The project results will contribute to ongoing conservation efforts inside GEPA, in

which the conservation action plan will handed over to NCS, GEPA MU, NGOs and our

partner in the project.

- A - Preparation and signing a local collaborative agreement between the local community and the key agencies inside GEPA, as good indicator to sustain a long term conservation actions after the project. - B - Project team with local people, RSPADA and GEPA's ranger will start after the project in implementation the long term monitoring plan to sustain ongoing conservation for D.ombet. - C - We will provide our assistance to the researches inside GEPA, to facilitate the accessibility access for this remote area. - D - We will start after the project in Re-assessment Dracaena depending on the IUCN Red List Criteria at national level. - E - We will co-operate with NCS, NCSCB and Bio-MAP after the project to prepare in-situ conservation project proposal for Dracaena in GE, and will submit it to GEF-SGP or for BP conservation Follow-up Awards, such as protective measures can have a good opportunity for funding in Egypt.


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1.3.3. PROJECT ANALYSIS

1.3.3.1. Project Problems Tree

Figure 8: Project Problems Tree

1.3.3.2. Project Solutions Tree

Figure 9: Project Solutions Tree


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Second Part: Project methods and approaches:

2.1. D.ombet populations Survey and monitoring

2.1.1. Methodology and Field work Protocols:

2.1.1.1. Methodology standardization and field logistics: Before conducting a fieldwork, we met GEPA MU & RSPADA representatives to arrange with them the appropriate community introduction and discuss logistics organization. Then with participation of a community guides we standardized and improved our methodologies depending on available equipments, survey requirements and the nature of the study area. The field survey team was organized into two groups, which each group included 5 members ''2 researchers and 3 community guides and number of local people''. 2.1.1.2. Pre-field work protocols

2.1.1.2.1. (Participatory eco-geographical D.ombet distribution mapping and

analysis) Before starting a field work we conducted a simple eco-geographical exercise with the local community in GE. The goal of this work is based on the remoteness of the study area its important to ensuring a full coverage for all the distribution range of dracaena ombet in GE among the period of the survey with cost-effective way, as same as to integrate the traditional knowledge and available data with local communities about D.ombet distribution. During this exercise we worked with locals for screening the Gabel Elba topographic map (1:50000), which divided it into four main sub-regions (study sites), and we conducted in-depth discussion and participatory analysis for the potential area for its distribution. As results for that we gathered excellent information about the distribution range of D.ombet inside GE area, its historical distribution and habitats. Also we promote local people to draw sketch maps to feed us with their knowlge about the dracaena and towards more understanding for their perspectives and experiences about the species. 2.1.1.2.2. Para-professional training and ‘’ Researches Action Participation

Protocols’’ Also as targeting for empowering local people and support their role in monitoring and conservation GE biodiversity especially the endangered species, 5 members from local people, 3 community guides and team members participated in a Para-professional field training. This training conducted in August as part of the pilot survey carried out inside Wade Ashtet in GE, this included on-job training on some required and simple field skills for using maps, GPS, Photography and using a field techniques for measures the plants community structure and assess it healthy status by measure and scaled the current threats such as ‘grazing, drought effect and human impacts such as charcoaling or tree cutting’. The objective of this training to contribute in strengthens community capabilities to lead monitoring, Assessment &conservation activities inside GEPA during Dracaena-MAP project activities and for ongoing similar activities; and for more involved for


39

them under the ‘’ Researches Action Participation Protocols’’ which used for support these project activities.

Figure 10: Local community participation in a field paraprofessional training

2.1.1.3. Field survey protocols:

Active searching a long elevational belt (Prospecting)

The main objective for this survey is to document the presence and distribution of the Dracaena ombet species within and among the potential areas for its distribution, and to drawn up a full distribution for D.ombet; assess its population status and tagging the tree for each population as appropriate. The study was conducted in Gabel Elba Mountain (altitudinal range 200–1436 m). A grid cells system 0.1 used for support this technique, which an extensive observations made by the project team during the field visits for each area. All collected data and observations are recorded on standard forms the team members and local people who join the survey, was divided into two work groups, in which each group take a responsibility for conduct survey trips into four study sites (Wades). The population status of Dracaena ombet was documented through extensive field survey and all the detected ombet trees were counted in each population during the period from October 2007– March 2008 and each tree was geographically marked with global positioning system (GPS). Phenological observations were made and notes were compiled on vegetative as well as reproductive events. For each tree the following attributes were assessed and measured: tree trunk DBH, tree trunk height, branches height, branches style, fruiting branches and the grazing impact. For assess and ranking the trees based on its healthy status, we used an illustrated guide sheet that prepared by the project tea (figure 10), which we measured and scaled the tree branching style and status, trunk status and leaves status.


40

Inside each study site 10 quadrates of 50m × 50m size (covering 0.25 ha area) were laid randomly in and around D.ombet. Individuals for estimate its density and for recording associated woody plants and also assess the grazing impact (quantity of and presence of grazing/animals traces). In order to understand the regeneration status, population size of seedlings, saplings, trees, and sprout/coppice shoots were ascertained. Seed dispersal and seedling survival in relation to distance from the mother plant was ascertained by counting the number of seedlings and saplings with respect to the increase in the radial diameter from the mother plant. For lack of seeds, five freshly collected young shoots were tested for a vegetative germination in polythene bags filled with collected soil from the field and kept in a greenhouse and kept under regular watering. Germination was defined as the emergence of primary roots from the shoot.

Figure 11: D.ombet tree branches status field sheet


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2.1.1.4. Data management and analysis

2.1.1.4.1. Meta data

For ensure the quality control and effectiveness of our collected data, and for well organization for these data to be available as long term information for other ongoing actions. We designed ACCESS database (DMAP DB) for the project monitoring program results, all data included (trees GPS point, trees attributes, site information, quadrates, climatic data and also images of each tree and sites) inputted directly in computer, arranged into related and well labeled files and linked folders. Simple Metadata guide was prepared for standardization, better arrangement, stored and accessibility for the information and the sustaining availability of well referenced data on long term. This figure shows example for labeling of one of the project survey's image file, which from the file name we can get a full information about the image type, location, time of photography, who is taken it and a proximately GPS location using a 10 second GIS Grid as shown in map 5. Each grid has a horizontal defined number and a perpendicular defined article, when GRIDS read and recorded as H5, C14 as example. 2.1.1.4.2. Data analysis

For analysis and understanding a collected data, we used and matched some programs and software for getting best analysis for results. Arc MAP 9.1 GIS software used for located our results on maps and inputted data on GIS database, the GIS spatial analysis tools used for assess the trees spatial distribution, hotspots/areas analysis and for ranking and analysis the population protection priority index. GIS Data analysis fully occurred in GEPA MU, using the project equipments and as part of established a special GIS unit for D-MAP Project for conservation D.ombet endangered tree. Multivariate analysis software, MVSP 3.1, has been used for analysis the habitats results for the gradients zones collected data, also DIVA GIS software has been used for extracting and organized a climatic data for GE area and grids maps preparation. Microsoft Excel 2003 used for arrange and analysis data and produce the result's graphs and charts.


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2.2. Community work

2.2.1. Participatory rural appraisal protocols

This approach used for introduce the project for the local community, understand their perspectives about the dracaena ombet conservation and importance and GE habitats as well as document the traditional knowledge in reference to dracaena ombet and other plant species in GEPA. The PRA protocols have supported prepare the socio-economic study as part of the project activities. Before starting a project we met tribes' leaders to introduce our project. Our community work integrated with field work, which at each study site we conducted the target community work using PRA and RAP Protocols. Using PRA Protocols this to gather s related ethno-botanical information from local community especially local herbalist such as: traditional species uses, cultural and spiritual believes; and traditional conservation systems for Dracaena. As part of these protocols we are using simple exercises and techniques such as: focus-groups and semi-structure interviews, questionnaires, drawings maps and sketches and ranking methods. 2.2.2. Data analysis: Collected data analyzed using descriptive statistics and excel program; which these results converted into final outputs as simple figures, diagrams and sketch maps this to facilities for local people to understand these results and to participate in ranking and selection priorities areas for conservation and monitoring Dracaena. Digital photographing and video recoding used intensively for reordering our activities with local people this towards effective documentation and for any future comparison for this work.

2.2.3. Researches Action Participation Protocols:-

We used this approach to contribute in strengthen community capabilities to lead monitoring, Assessment &conservation activities inside GEPA during Dracaena-MAP project activities and for ongoing similar activities. based on these objectives some members fro local people particularly community guides who participate with us in the paraprofessional training which conducted in August as part of the project activities, for support them with field-skills before starting the project activities, they join the team members and participated as a researchers assistance during conducted the community work such as: organized meeting, conducting a discussion and interviews, helping people in drawing a sketch maps and other activities. Community guides have been participated completely in chosen and prepared the meeting discussion parts and the questions that asked for local people depending on their experiences with these communities. We worked as soon as possible with the community women, which our team member's Gama Osaman and Dina el hady, project volunteer, has been conducted similar activities with women for sharing their perspectives and views.


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Third Chapter: Findings

For a full survey results, please see the attached document No 1: D.ombet survey and

monitoring final report

3. Field survey and monitoring results:

3.1. Participatory eco-geographical D.ombet distribution mapping: The gathered information form this exercise inputted into the project GIS data base, as map 2 shown a potential distribution range for D.ombet linked to a GIS-GE elevation map. Based on the gathered TK, locals indicated that in general D.ombet among these areas can be found inside two mountains missives (Elba Mountain and Shendeib Mountain). Which its distribution range restricted on mountainous slopes within 6 main regions: (Yahmbe-Akwamtei zone, Wade Aedie-Aedieb hills, Wade Tawela, wade Akaw-Darwina, Ashtet-Aretri and Shendieb Area zone)

Map 5 a: Participatory eco-geographical D.ombet distribution localities map

For more understanding for local people perspectives about D.ombet and its distribution, we conducted many in-depth sessions, related for this exercise, which includes discussions about the degree of distribution or a populations size and the


44

approximately tree numbers for each population inside each wade or region, also included preparation and drawing sketch maps by locals to feed us with their knowlge about the dracaena and towards more understanding for their perspectives and experiences about the species.

Map 5 b: Participatory Sketch maps produced by local people explain the distribution of

Dracaena ombet and other species and habitats in GE,

These results guided us as first step for understanding the dracaena distribution and also for arrange a good suitable field logistics and methodology. Map 4 shows a 10 seconds grids-divided map, as results for analyses these data using GIS techniques. This map shown results of D.ombet distribution/populations size index inside GE area; we ranked D.ombet population depending on its primary population size as it’s gathered from local people knowledge, rank values form 1 to 10, which 1 equal for a greater tree numbers for a minor grid (10 sec), 10 refer for zero tree number. We trying as soon as to prepare a proximately distribution but the main objective for these exercise to learn together ‘’How’’ we can and ‘’what’’ the benefit of involved and integrated the local community traditional knowledge into our consideration and matched it with GIS techniques.

3.2. Populations survey and short term monitoring results

3.2.1. Main observations: The DMAP has completed the D.ombet survey and populations assessment, the results of this phase has been indicated that:

• This flagship species has a fragmented distribution with different subpopulations showing varying degrees of vigor. Survey results for the first time found anew locations for the Dracaena ombet distribution in the granite Elba mountains, which Dracaena ombet detected within 13 localities, which 9 locations/population have been completely surveyed and the other 4 regions have been explored for more further survey work , these areas included:-


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Region Name

Region Reference Code

Region Name Region Reference Code

Wade Aedeib

ADBK W. Ghway GWY

W. Aretri ART W. Naheeb

NHB

W. Marafay MFY Outliers hills of W. Kansi-Srob

KSR

W. Ashtet SHT Outliers hills of W. Aedieb

ADBH

W. Akaw AKW Shendeib Mountains

SHN

W. Tawella TWL Camerba mountains

CAM

W. Darwina-Tewoeit

DRW

Table 6: D.ombet populations locations in Gabel Elba

Map 6: Distribution map of Dracaena ombet in Gabel Elba, Egypt


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Map 7: Spatial distribution patterns/Regions of Dracaena ombet in Gabel Elba

• D.ombet's Populations grow at elevation range from 450 to 1250 m.

• In general all the D.ombet tree sub-populations marked by a bad age structure inside its distribution range on Elba Mountain, which there is no sign for regeneration and there is no new generation or seedlings observed during the field survey, most of the trees considers as mature old trees with trunk more than 70 cm in diameter and 2 m height, only one seedling detected in Camerba it seem that its age less than 5 years and few seedlings more than 35 cm in DBH was observed into Wade Ghway

• The best Dracaena woodland was detected on Camerba mountain, which has a good abundance (more than 500 trees), followed with area of Marafay – Artri granite massive which include about (200) tree. It seems that the 2 regions have link together, which these populations lined run from behind W. Akmatri over Camerba mountain area down to the drainage of wade Marafay then completely this population touch the other populations of wade Ashtete and W. Aretrai in the northern Eastern part of GE.

• In the northern part of GE, the project team discovered for the first time, the best Dracaena woodland in this side in GE, which include more than 150 trees in Wade Tawella. But there are strong evidences that this woodland suffer from extreme drought and unsuitable climatic condition that more than 60% of these population has completely vanished, and most of this woodland trees found in unhealthy conditions.


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• The other population in wade Aedieb-Kosheit, Akaw, Darwina, Aedieb outlier-hills found there as relict populations or as isolated individuals ranging from (1-12 trees).

• its recognized that most of population abundance with best trees condition occur in areas where the terrain consist of solid rock pavement with extensive cracks, in the eastern northern side, down which water and soil flows after rains, providing moisture and nourishment for the roots of the trees. Also in front of the cloud and wind on the western part of the red sea coast.

• All the D.ombet trees woodlands and regenerations took place at the Eastern and Northern eastern parts of the Elba and Shendeib mountains, which in northern parts the Northeast dominance wind can blow and summer rain fall. No trees found or historical known in at the western or the southern slopes of Elba Mountain, where the climate is different from the eastern parts. Which the climate of western parts of the mountains considers as part of Sahara climate ( hot and less exposures for rain or moisture)

• The field survey results indicated that that the ombet seeds seems to have a long dormancy period and high viability period, which enable the seed to stay underground for longer periods and only grow when there are favorable climatic conditions.

Images shown the general status of the Dracaena ombet populations in GE

• As all the omebt grows at high altitudes at hard slopes, it also seems that the seeds in usual are not the kind that can be transmitted by animal, like acacia as example that have a high rate of germination as after transmitting by camels in this area.. This can indicate that may be the omebt seeds transmission happened by some kind of residents wild birds in this area or/and, water and wind. In most of the areas of ombet woodland the Raven birds (Fan-Tailed Raven) observed fly and stay of top of the ombet trees, and local community stated that these birds like the ombet seeds and it observed eat its seeds at the fruiting seasons in the past. This can lead that may be there is possibilities that these birds acts as a main transmitting agent for the ombet seeds.


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3.2.2. Populations size and distribution:

Tombet population detected inside 13 locations in GE, which based on the available resources, project plan and timeline; and the project team capabilities, the project team has been completely surveyed 9 sites. Wile the other 4 sites has explored and partially surveyed. The following table show the populations' sites/locations and size (Number of observed trees inside each location).

No

Area

Code

Populati

on size

Latitude

Longitude

01 Wade Darawina-Tewoet DRW 17 22°13'22.73 36°20'40.81

02 W. Ghway GHW 30 22°12'20.49 36°19'42.58

03 W. Aedieb-Kosheit ADBK 12 22°11'51.60 36°21'38.10

04 W. Tawella TWL 70 –(100) 22°13'19.30 36°22'16.80

05 W. Akaw AKW 10 22°13'23.34 36°21'21.07

06 W. Ashtet SHT 29 22°13'9.17 36°20'25.52

07 W. Aretri ART 148 22°12'56.20 36°20'10.40

08 W. Aedieb Hills ADBH 5 22°11'57.35 36°23'23.10

09 W. Marafay MFY 62 22°12'26.73 36°20'7.81

TOTAL 383

10 Shendieb Mountain SHN 10 -15 22° 3'48.39 36°13'39.39

11 Camerba Mountain CAM 500-600 22°12'8.70 36°19'17.03

12 Wade Nahaeeb NHB 50-70 22°12'8.18 36°19'31.47

13 Kans-Srob-hills KSB 1 Table 7: D.ombet's Populations size and distribution in GE

This indicate that the current Tombet population size within 9 sites of total 13 ( about 70% within the area of the survey, we found that the tree distribution equal about 383 trees, while the estimated total ombet tree population size within Gabel Elba could be 1000+/- 100 tree (it may be ranging from 950- 1050 tree). From the records we estimated the Mean density of Tombet for whole GE to be equal about = 55 tree/sq km

Wade name ART MFY SHT DRW AKW TWL ADBK ADBH Density/100 m2 5.13 16.50 6.25 3.75 2.50 6.43 2.25 1.00 Density/1000 m2 51.25 165.00 62.50 37.50 25.00 64.29 22.50 10.00

Table 8: Tree densities per locations/populations:


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3.2.3 Populations trend:

Population status Survey Status

S D RD ? FS PS EP

Stable Decline Rapid/sharp decline

Unknown Fully Surveyed

Partially surveyed

Explored

Population status

No

Area

Population

size Survived

tree %

Decline

%

Trend Survey

status

01 Wade Darawina 17 41.18 58.82 RD FS

02 W. Ghway 30 68.3 31.7 D FS

03 W. Aedieb-Kosheit 12 25 75 RD FS

04 W. Tawella 70 32.86 67.14 RD PS

05 W. Akaw 10 80 20 D FS

06 W. Ashtet 29 51.72 48.28 RD FS

07 W. Aretri 148 39.86 60.14 RD FS

08 W. Aedieb Hills 5 80 100 D FS

09 W. Marafay 62 70.97 29.03 D FS

TOTAL

383

45.54

54.46

RD

10 Shendieb Mountain 10 -15 ? ? ? EP

11 Camerba Mountain 500-600 ? ? D EP

12 Wade Nahaeeb 50-70 ? ? ? EP

13 Kansi-Srob 1 1 ? ? EP

Table 8: D.ombet's Populations trend

3.2.4. Populations Healthy Status:

3.2.4.1. Survival status of ombet tree:

• From total 383 tree recorded and completely assessed, about 163 trees observed survived against 190 dead trees. That represents about 46.1% survival percent from that total detected population size.

• Map 8 and figure 11 show the percentage of the survived and dead tree within each population in GE.


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Map8: Survival status of ombet tree

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Taw

ella

DRW

SHT

ART

AKW A

DB

MRF

ADH

GW

Y

Survived trees

Dead Trees

Figure 11: Survival status of D.ombet trees

3.2.4.2. Healthy status classes:

• Based on the survey methods and results, we divided the ombet trees healthy status into 4 classes/grades based on the tree vigor status: Healthy (70-100), moderate (35-70), server (1-35%), Dead trees (= 0).

• From total 353 tree recorded and completely assessed, about 97 trees observed survived/ Healthy that represents about 27.47% of that total population size;


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• 38 tree recorded as survived/moderate that represents about 10.76 % of that total population size;

• 28 tree recorded as survived/server that represents about 7.93 % of that total population size; and

• 190 trees recorded as Dead trees that represent about 53.82 % of that total population size.

Map 9: D.ombet Healthy status classes

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

ADBH ADBK AKW ART DRW MFY SHT TWL

location name

Tree n

um

ber

Survived-Healthy

Survived-Moderate

Survived-Server

Dead

Figure 12: ombet healthy status: number tree within each population (survived vs. dead tree)


52

This figure show the number of survived and dead tree for each Tombet population in GE, which as shown there is a sharp decline in number of trees and population size. About 60% of the detected trees have been recorded as dead tree which most of these dead trees concentrated inside W.Tawella and W.Artri. Generally the populations severe a rapidly, high decline and mortality rate among all its populations. It seem that W.Marfay and W.shtet still save a good population healthy status that still there is balance between the dead and healthy trees.

3.2.5. Population boundaries and coverage:

3.2.5.1. D. ombet’s Extent of Occurrence (EOO) in Egypt:

Depending on the IUCN (IUCN 2001), Extent of occurrence is defined as the area contained within the shortest continuous imaginary boundary which can be drawn to encompass all the known, inferred or projected sites of present occurrence of a taxon, excluding cases of vagrancy. Extent of occurrence can often be measured by a minimum convex polygon (the smallest polygon in which no internal angle exceeds 180 degrees and which contains all the sites of occurrence). For estimation the current EOO for the Dracaena ombet’s sub-populations in GE, we measured this area on two stages

• In case of excluding the cases of vagrancy populations, this mean we including all the closed populations, but only excluded Shendieb mountain’s population which is far more than 20 km from the whole other populations, while all the other population very close to each other (less than 3 km). Maps 4 shows, the EOO for D.ombet’s populations, which is equal and came among 23.8 sq km that represents about 15. 87% of the whole Gabel Elba mountain massive area (= 150 sq km), and 0.066% of the total area of Elba Protected Area (= 36000 sq km).

Map 10: D.ombet’s Extent of Occurrence in case 1


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• In case of including all the cases of vagrancy and the closest populations, this including Shendieb mountain’s population. For that and as maps 5 show, the EOO for D.ombet’s populations is equal and came among 116.2 sq km, which represents about 23.24% of the whole Gabel Elba massive total area (= 500 sq km), and 0.32% of the total area of Elba Protected Area (= 36000 sq km).

Map 11: D.ombet’s Extent of Occurrence in case 2

3.2.5.2. D.ombet Area of Occupancy (AOO)

Area of occupancy is defined as the area within its 'extent of occurrence' (see above) which is occupied by a taxon, excluding cases of vagrancy. The measure reflects the fact that a taxon will not usually occur throughout the area of its extent of occurrence, which may contain unsuitable or unoccupied habitats (IUCN 2001). The size of the area of occupancy will be a function of the scale at which it is measured, which here for accurate AOO estimation, we need more accurate mapping scale, which should be at a scale appropriate to relevant biological aspects of the species, the nature of threats and the comprehensiveness of the available data. Thus to avoid bias and to estimate a relevant AOO, we need to estimating area of occupancy at different scales. For that in case of D. ombet populations’ available data, and based on the produced ombet trees distribution map, that included a GPS record for each tree based on its geographical location, we measured the AOO using a Grid technique, which the distribution map for the species divided into equal grids depending on the used scale. For this we used 5 different scale Grids system: at 1 Degree, 0.5 Degree, 0.25 D, 0.1 D, which equal areas = 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.05, 0.01 sq km respectively for each grid. As the table below shown, there is a different estimated AOO for the same population at the different scales; this return for the used Grid/scale which at small grid/scale reveals more areas in which the taxon is unrecorded. Conversely, coarse-scale


54

mapping/large grid reveals fewer unoccupied areas, resulting in over-estimation that is more likely to be or accept. Which here at using a 1 km grid, we can found as example, W.Darwina's populations which equal 12 tree occupied large area (2 grids = 2 sq km), equal for W.Artri which have more than 164 tree and occupied 2 grid also. While at fine scale, 0.25 km grid, we can found that W.Darwina population occupied only 5 grids/0.16 sq km, comparing with W.Artri that occupied 11 grids = 0.35 sq km. As we used finer scale (smaller grid area) as we can get results reflects the facts on ground, and can used for assessment the status of the threatened species.

These results indicate that:

1- In case of the current recorded populations (Included areas that occupied by

the dead and survived trees):

At 0.25 D grid scale, D.ombet populations occupied about 1.673 sq km, which this represents about 0.034% of the total GE habitats estimated area (=5000 sq km) and about 1.116% of total GE mountain massive area (= 150 sq km) ; and 7.91% of the suitable GE’s habitats for D.ombet (=21.5 sq km). While at 0.1 D or 10 Minutes grid scale, 0.01 sq km grid, D.ombet populations occupied about 0.787 sq km, which this represents about 0.0157% of the total GE habitats estimated area and about 0.524% of total GE mountain massive area; and

3.72% of the suitable GE’s habitats for D.ombet . 2- In case of the current recorded populations (Included areas that occupied only by

survived trees):

At 0.25 D grid scale, D.ombet populations occupied about 1.351 sq km, which this represents about 0.027% of the total GE habitats estimated area, and about 0.9 % of total GE mountain massive area; and 6.4% of the suitable GE’s habitats for D.ombet. While at 0.1 D or 10 Minutes grid scale, 0.01 sq km grid, D.ombet populations occupied about 0.5 sq km, which this represents about 0.01% of the total GE habitats estimated area and about 0.333% of total GE mountain massive area; and 2.37% of the suitable GE’s habitats for D.ombet . This indicate that the total AOO loss in areas that Dracaena ombet tree occupied in GE = 36.36 % decline in 2007, and by using the same estimation base, we can doing the same estimation for assess the future AOO of the ombet population (by 2017) for that we adopted a new case: In case of the current recorded populations (including

only areas that occupied by survived healthy trees and excluding the survived server

and moderate trees) this indicate that the total AOO loss /decline in areas that Dracaena ombet tree occupied in GE = 60 % loss by 2017.


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Wade Name

Decline in area of Each

Population (%) In 2007

Decline In area of

each Population (%)

By 2017

Lost/decline

difference (2007-

2017)

ADB H

0

50

50

ADB K

60.00

80 20

TWL

52.38

71.42 19.04

MFY

33.33

58.33 25

ART

26.1

65.21 39.11

SHT

40.00

50 10

AKW

14.28

28.56

14.28

DRW

42.86

57.14

14.28

Total 36.36 60% 23.64%

Table 9: Decline rate for each location

3.2.6. D.ombet Population age structure and classification

3.2.6.1. D.ombet Population age structure The analysis results of age structure and growth of D. ombet in GE ‘‘with 90% of confidence'' showed that:

• Most of D.ombet population's occurs in the stage of intensive disintegration within 30–100 years.

• D. ombet populations have a high structural homogeneity since about 90% of the sampled individuals belong to the last 3 size classes (fourth 'V', fifth 'VI' and sixth 'VII' classes) with a diameter at breast height between 65 and 190 cm., and about 60 % of the samples individuals belong to the class (VI) with a diameter at breast height between 75 and 125 cm.

• Dracaena ombet populations in GE has a bad age structure, which there is very few regeneration signs, only a small numbers of young trees have detected. The second size class 'II', (5-10 years old) only represents less than 1% of the whole populations with a diameter at breast height less than 35 cm.

• Among the samples individuals there is no observation for the first size class 'I' which represents the Dracaena ombet seedling (3-5 years old), but only one seedling observed in Camerba Mountain during the exploration phase for this area.


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This indicates to:

- Effect of current drought from more than 15 years in GE - High mortality portion for the old tree more than 120 in DBH - Age structure curve may be refer to a rapidly decline for the populations in GE. - ombet only able to regenerate extensively with adequate rainfall conditions

after prolonged droughts.

SIZE CLASSES

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

25

60

70

74

80

82

85

88

95

10

0

10

2

11

0

11

5

12

0

12

5

13

5

14

6

16

1

DBH

Siz

e c

las

s

Figure 13: age structure for the Dracaena ombet trees in GE

Figures 13, 14 show the general age structure for the Dracaena ombet trees in GE as results for the current survey, as this figure shown there is a bad age structure for all the Dracaena ombet populations in GE, and most of the population allocated at the middle part of this chart which this indicates for:

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Tree N

um

bers

No

size class

DBH Size Classes

1-20cm

21-40

41-60

61-80

81-100

101-120

121-140

141-160

161-180

181-200

Figure 14: age classes for the Dracaena ombet trees in GE


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3.2.6.2. Dracaena ombet age classification scheme: Although there us no defined way for determined the approximately age for the Dracaena ombet tree, however that there is some references was discussed the possibility of estimation of the age of the ''Dracaena Drago'' based on its branching numbers and level. Therefore in our case we tried to prepare a scheme or guide that can help not in estimate a net age for the tree but for estimate their age/size class then can estimate their age based on its size class age range. The following figures illustrate and figure the ombet size classes and its attributes based on the observation inside GE. A well defined six classes has been defined as following: Dracaena ombet age classes:

1: plant with a single rosette and without a trunk. 2: plant with one rosette and a small and young trunk (less than 1m in height). 3: plant with one rosette and a trunk (more than 1 m in height). 4: plant with 2 main branches, more than one rosette and a crown with a diameter smaller than 2 m. 5: plant with more than 2 main branches, few numbers of upper branches, more than one rosette and with a crown larger than 2 m. 6: plant with more than 2 main branches, many upper branches, more than one rosette and with a crown larger than 2.5-3 m.

Figure 15: Dracaena ombet age classes' scheme


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Class Trunk Rosette Main

branches

Upper

branches

Crown Estimated

age

(Years)

DBH

(cm)

Class 1

None Single None None none 3- 5 0

Class 2 Less than 1 m

One None None None 5 -10 ≤ 35

Class 3 More than 1 m

One Small branching

None None 15-20 >35- 64


More than one

Two-big Yes Diameter Less than

2m

25-30 65-74


More than one

Three - Four

Yes , 2-3 levels

Diameter more than

2m

40-50 75- 120


More than one

Four- or more than

four

Yes, more than 3 levels

Diameter more than

2.5 m

70- more 100

> 120- 190

Table 10: D.ombet size classes' scheme attributes

3.2.7. Altitudinal patterns of the ombet tree in GE: • GE altitudinal range can be divided into 3 zones: low slopes (up to 450), mid-

slopes (450-1000), and upper slopes (1000-1436)

• Dracaena ombet trees found in altitudinal range between 400-1000 m. a. s. l on GE, this mean that is restricted to the mountains middle slopes.

• Most of the ombet populations (about 80%) grow in the mid-slope of GE in areas range from 500-700 m, while 14% of the ombet populations grow below the 500m and 6% grow above the 700 m and below 1000 m.

Altitude

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

400-500

500-600

600-700

700-800

800-900

900-1000

Altitude

Figure 16: Altitudinal patterns of the ombet tree in GE


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3.2.8. Threats: Causes for the deterioration of Dracaena ombet in GE: It seems likely that a major cause of the decline in extent and quality of Dracaena woodland is the very gradual drying of the area of south Egypt. Although there is No direct history data is available from GEPA about the distribution or status of Dracaena ombet, however, there is strong circumstantial evidence that this area have been drying over the last few hundred years, and especially with comparing and matching the available data about the extreme drought especially the last 10 years and the available data about distribution and status of Dracaena ombet in GEPA along the last 6 years, depending in that it is appear that probably this drought have a greater impact on the current populations decline in GEPA. As is known, Dracaena ombet

occurring only in a high elevation between 450 to 1450 m in this areas affected by the mists and cloud which came from the east, across the red sea coast towards GE submit. Local people and the old explorer's reports in this area reported that the extent of this cloud/mist coverage diminished over the years and the area subject for many years ago for more than continues 2-3 months of rains and clouds.

A- Insects, disease and rainfall: The project team found evidence of presence of harmful insects inside and on the tree barks, most of the observed insects detected inside formation inside the tree trunk and at the top of ombet trees just before their deterioration. Also local people in GE mentioned that insects has bee observed during the last period paralleled with the drought conditions. It seem that insects causes and accelerate the trees deterioration that may be happened under the extreme drought and fluctuation of rainfall, which also in north Sudan the same observation mentioned by local people of Erkowit mountain areas (Mohammed, A.M 2004).

B- Parasites the project team observed some new cases for presences and distribution of plants parasites on the Tombet trees, in wade Camerba, Marafay and Tawella, the coculus pendeduls as a most common parasite species in GE, this species observed climbing on the tree crown, and it seem that have effect on the tree growth and survival.

Figure 17: Project team activities for remove parasites species form the D.ombet in GE


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C- Human exploitation & animal grazing: The project team doesn’t observed any direct human impact on the ombet trees, also based on some local people, the local women was used to cut and use the ombet tree leaves to make ropes, which the ombet leaves remarked by a strong and flexible fibers. In concern with grazing there is no observed or detected evidence for any grazing sign for domestic's animals such as goats or sheep on ombet trees. This may be return for the morphological characteristics of the ombet tree, with long trunk, umbrella-shape crown; Leaves in dense terminal linear from wide ovate base, gradually narrowed to an acute apex. But locals mentioned that goats can only feed on the young seedling especially the young leave which very rich with protein. Also they used to collect some leaves from the ombet trees to feed their camels especially in the drought seasons. In general the community does not believe that human exploitation and animal grazing are critical factor in the deterioration of ombet tree. But in a general view for effect of over-grazing on the Tombet ecosystem, the project team observed a high degree of over-grazing within the habitats of Dracaena ombet, particularly on mid- and high slopes and especially within wadies of Aedieb, Marfay and Camerba mountains. This also can indicate for the challenges of feeding the animals of any ombet seedlings so that could affect the regenerations balance of the Tomebt populations.

Figure 18: Grazing patterns on Dracaena ombet and inside its habitats in GE

D- Drought and climate change: Based on the protective evidences in this area and with full agree with local people it seem that the current drought and poor rainfall that affect all the area from more than 20 years and in general since 1950 has had an effect on all tree species, livestock and human life and the whole ecosystem. The project team observed that the existing tree regeneration and the historical habitat of ombet is found to be on top of the hills far from the ground water, and that suggests the tree is mainly dependent on rains and


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mist irrigation. Which have both fluctuated over the last 50 years that before the dry period, the area was more populated and had a rich and vigor vegetation; GE vegetation had dense woodland which support a good livelihood for the locals and their livestock. But the human interference in the area has been accelerated after 1986 which with the natural resources reduction, and the area and quantity of pasture, overgrazing and other human activities such as charcoal production has been an ecological disaster for the areas. Lack of vegetation in the lowland and wades, resulting in increased the overgrazing on high lands, resulting in the removal of and affect the vegetation cover in these habitats Knut Krzywinski (2001) is confident that ''the environmental factors, which are broadly responsible for the decline of the Dracaena ombet, also underlie the environmental degradation of the Red Sea cultural landscape and the African dry land crises in general''. He stated that; “Already in the sixties there were reports about how the unique environment of Arkowit and the Dracaena ombet as a species were in danger. The desertification of the Sahara borderland was threatening not just single species, but an entire land ecosystem as well. The underlying factors are complex, and to some extent the complexity relates to the intimate relationship between the landscape itself, its vegetation, and the population surviving on its resources and the culture they developed in the desert environment.” It could be stated as the Sudanese team in monitoring of D.ombet in Erkowit area in Sudan reported that ''it is too early to judge now on whether the acquired information and data on climate is enough to prove any longer-lasting change. A series of global climate changes are taking effect and influencing temperature, precipitation, wind storms, and have consequences and side effects for the lives of all creation in the World. But, it is not yet known whether these changes such as in rainfall are part of a steady, sporadic or cyclical process''. The reason behind this gist is the most likely observed change of trend in favor of a promising natural restocking of the threatened Dracaena ombet. It is most likely that the main reasons for the deterioration of the Dracaena ombet in GEPA and in general at the Red Sea Hills are return for effect of the climatic factors, which the period of deterioration is matched with the waves of drought that faces the area along the last 50 years, especially in the decades 60s to the 80s of this century (SOS report 2003). In addition also there is a cumulative other factors are still considered such as effect of pests and diseases that affect plants that already suffered from the drought.


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Figure 19: drought effect stages on Dracaena ombet ( effect on branches and leaves depletion)

3.2.9. The uses and importance of Dracaena ombet

Rope-making:

• Women was used the ombet tree leaves to make ropes. They usually cut the young soft leaves to make good ropes. Based on Mohammed Gomaa, one of our community guides, may be the community has bee used to use the plastics ones which is very easy found it in the close urban areas in Abo Ramad, but to date still there is may be people have a skills to fabrics this traditional ropes from the dracaena tree leaves. In Sudan some studies indicated that in areas close to Erkwoit Mountain, their are some ropes making recently by women at Gebeit Bogaleinai, which the ropes in the women’s possession were not so strong, but were very smooth and flexible. The leaves are used differently from the Dom leaves where they put them under ground for one day to rot and then they use the pure fiber inside the leave for making ropes (SOS Report).

Camel fodder:

• In GEPA the men used to collect the Tombet tree raw fruits/seeds for their camels. They mentioned that its edible fruits very rich and give then energy, this mean that its fruits have a high protein content and it is reported that its provide a good food source for local community during the fruiting seasons and for some wild animals such as


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hyrax and Nubian ibex. And also raw seeds are very healthy for camels, especially it have good water content. In Sudan it reported that the camels that eat the Tombet

seeds never get thirsty, because of its high water contents (SOS 2003). But the raw Tombet seeds are very dangerous for sheep and goats, and may lead to mortality immediately. Goat and sheep only can eat the Tombet flowers and dry seeds (SOS 2003).

Medicine: A- Local uses In GEPA, Dracaena is of considerable economic plant, the interviews with local community indicated that there is a traditional medicinal use for the Dracaena ombet

as medicine plant in GE, which depending on Mohammed Hassay (the healer of GE) the Tombet stems uses for stomach pains and wounds treatments, and its leaves parts uses for Hair elongation. Table below explain the methods and the dosage for these treatment.

Disease Used

part

Dosage and method

Stomach pains and wounds treatments

stem

The D.ombet stem scratching to collect an exudation liquid which have viscous feel known as ‘el saber’, then this exudation taken and but on the wounds areas for some days

Hair elongation

Leaves By slotting the leaves of D.ombet and collect the exudation liquid, which used as a hair cream.

Table 11: Local medicinal uses of D.ombet in GE

B- Pharmacological uses In July 2007 a new Egyptian pharmacological researcher has successes in isolated an effective two medicinal materials from a Dracaena ombet leaves, Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Steroidal Saponins. Two new steroidal saponins, namely (25 R)-5beta-spirostan-3-beta-ol 3 -O-beta- D-galactopyranosyl-(1'''-->4'')- O-beta- D-glucopyranosyl-(1''-->3')- O-beta- D-glucopyranoside (El Shanwany, 2007- Planta Med. 2007 Jul 12;)

3.2.10. Signs of natural regeneration: At Camerba Mountain, at moderate east northern slope, some 8 small trees (0.1 – 1 meter) were observed (Photos 4 & 5). In this area the project team had make the youngest seedling record for Dracaena in Egypt, which a small seedling with trunk tall (10 cm) recorded on the slope of camerba mountain, it seem that its age less than 3 years. At north-east of Wade Khway another 2 small seedling (0.4-1 m) also recorded. But in the other areas there are no signs or observation for new generation. Which most of the tree woodland that recorded are big trees (more than 1.5 -4 meters high), and estimated to be more than 15 years old. Mohmaaed Hassy, the elder man in the Beja tribe, about eighty years, and herbal in W. Aedeieb has mentioned that when he was a child he used to play under these trees that looks like young and less than 3-4 m.


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Fig 20: ombet seedling in Camerba mountain

Fig 21: Sign for ombet regeneration in W.Ghway

Fig 22: Local community detect a young dead ombet seedling

Fig 23: Good Signs for regeneration in Camerba

mountain

Also Sheikh Mohammed Hassay indicates that he before tried to propagate the ombet by cutting a one of the top part of the young branch and tried to propagate it on the wade soil to germinate roots, but unfortunately the seedling died. This indicate the local community willingness to contribute to the regeneration of the ombet as they have a good traditional knowledge and aware of its value in their livelihood and the traditional methods for agriculture and plants propagations. Based on Marwan the Ghazouni, an Egyptian succulent plant specialist there are some natural signs of regeneration of the “ombet” were observed at Shendeib Mountain in 2003. The local communities stated that they have not observed any more seedling or new generation in other areas during the last 5-7 years inside the areas we surveyed or at any other un-accessible sites from what had been visited and surveyed. But on level of regeneration outside the natural habitats, that considers as try for ex-situ conservation, some of the Egyptian succulents specialists, Marwan El Ghazouni and Sheriff Abu Basha, has been successes in propagate about 40 new dracaena seedling from the collected seed that they collect from Shendeib Mountain during their visit for this area in 2003. These seedling conserved inside a private garden in


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Cairo belong for them. In Elba the observation for the new seedling indicated that most of these seedlings grow away from the big trees, outside the trees canopy, where the seeds are expected to fall. Only one seedling more than 1.5 m detected in Wade Tawella grow under the tree (its not completely ensured if this tree grown from a seed germination or a vegetative part), but in general this observations can leads for hypotheses about seed disbursement, germination requirements, seed viability, dormancy, storage and optimum season and stage of seed collection (which further studies and research are needed to fill this knowledge gap). The project team initiated an experiment for germinate ombet seedling from a vegetative parts, this return for lack of seeds which during the survey period there is no signs for fruiting, for that the team and with support from local community was planted some of the vegetative parts of the ombet tree (new germinated buds on the top of the trees branches), which these parts transferred and planted in a propagation puts and supported with soil from the valley and kept irrigated each 3 days with suitable water. But unfortunately after 3 months these parts did not give any sign for survival or new roots.

Fig 24.Vegetative propagation attempts for ombet tree with cooperation of locals

Fig 25: Vegetative parts from an ombet tree that used for a vegetative propagation experiments

Fig 26: Local community care with and carry out propagation experiment for Dracaena ombet in a community nursery in GE


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3.2.11. Tree ecology: The project team observed that the existing tree regeneration and the historical habitat of ombet is found to be on top of the hills on latitude range from 400-1100 m, far from the ground water, and that suggests the tree is mainly dependent on rains and mist irrigation. The Dracaena ombet tree morphology and physiology is designed by nature to tolerate drought. The tree stem, branches and roots are composed of fibers that store water, the leaves lanceulated shape, thick, smooth at lower and upper surface, and erect in position so as to reduce transpiration and hence resist desiccation. The inner part of the tree branches as well as the roots consist of fiber, this is a strong indicator that this tree can reserve a considerable amount of water to resist drought, and it probably depends on mist and rain fall rather than ground water. In almost in all cases, the Dracaena ombet is found to grow and establish at the cracks between rocks and shallow soil where no permanent ground water. That suggests the tree totally relies on rainwater and mist supported by its ability to absorb and reserve water for the dry season. All the Dracaena ombet trees woodlands and regeneration took place at the Eastern and northern eastern parts of the Elba and Shendeib mountains, which in northern parts the Northeast dominance wind can blow and summer rain fall. No trees found or historical known in at the western or the southern slopes of Elba Mountains, where the climate is different from the eastern parts. Which the climate to the western parts of the mountains is considers as part of the Sahara climate (hot and less exposures for rain or moisture). The project field survey results indicated that that the ombet seeds seems to have a long dormancy period and high viability period, which enable the seed to stay underground for longer periods and only grow when there are favorable climatic conditions. In general omebt grow at high altitudes at hard slopes, it also seems that the seeds in usual are not the kind that can be transmitted by animal, like acacia as example that have a high rate of germination after transmitting by camels in this area. This could indicate that may be the omebt seeds transmission happen by some kind of residents wild birds in this area or/and, water and wind. The Crow 'Fan-Tailed Raven' was observed extensively by the project team in most of the areas of ombet woodland, which it has a huge colonies on the top of GE Elba at the mid and high stony slopes in areas very close for the ombet population distribution. These birds observed fly and stay of top of the ombet trees, also local community stated that these birds like ombet seeds and it observed eat its seeds at the fruiting seasons in the past. This can lead that may be there is possibilities that the wild raven birds acts as a main transmitting agent for the ombet seeds. Also on a global scale it's very reliable to indicate that the global distribution of this bird 'Fan-Tailed Raven' cover south east Egypt 'GE', North East Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, north east Ethiopia, north Somalia and Arabia, which it’s the same areas for the ombet distributions. (Intensive study about the relation with between the ombet and this bird is needed for more assessment for the ecology of ombet tree)


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Fig 27: 'Fan-Tailed Raven' colonies inside the ombet woodland on GE high slopes

Fig 28: 'Fan-Tailed Raven' bird stay of

ombet tree in Wade Marafay in GE

3.2.12. Reproduction: The Dracaena ombet fruits or berry 1-1.2 cm diameter, which each fruit have one seed very small in size ( 5-6 mm diameter), and this refer that they are disbursed by wind, water or carried by birds for that places far from the mother trees. This fact may help in explain the presence of new seedlings away from mother trees. In GE and during the survey times there is no observation for any signs of fruiting or seeds, only old fruiting branches founded on the top of some trees. Although some of local community stated that they observed and collected some seeds during the last 2 years, but there is no sign for seeds or new fruits. May be as the Dracaena ombet considers as a Monocotyledons species, which it is this division of the plant kingdom in most cases likely to have males and females at separate trees (dioeciously). For that the ombet have a male and female types this will affect the quantity and quality of the fruits which in case of un-pollination methods will be there un-pollinated flowers that are not usually the same quality as the pollinated ones, and this may also affect the viability of the population in GE under the current climate change and also explain the limitation of presence of fruits in the areas of the surveys.

3.2.13. Associated plants communities: 230 plant species were recorded during the Tombet survey phase (See annex 1), all these plants recorded on the middle and upper slopes of GE where the habitats of the ombet occurs, these plants recorded associated with the Dracaena ombet and/or within its micro habitats (including: middle and upper slopes, Mountainous Drainages, mist oases and mountainous springs). Thirty seven plant species recorded as a closely correlated and associated species with the D.ombet populations (these plants recorded inside the Tombet's Quadrates), which this means that about 16% of the recorded plants very associated with the ombet microhabitats.


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Table 12: main associated indigenous plants in D. ombet's habitats

Species name

MD -

MMO MUS MWS

Acacia asak (Forssk.) Willd. 0 1 0

Acacia etbaica 0 1 0

Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne subsp. Tortilis 1 1 0

Amaranthus graecizansL. subsp. Graecizans 1 1 0

Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. 1 1 0

Calligonum polygonoidesL. subsp. Comosum 0 1 0

Cenchrus setigerusVahl 0 1 0

Chrozophora oblongifolia (Delile) Spreng. 1 0 0

Cocculus pendulus(J.R. & G.Forst.) Diels 1 0 0

Commelina benghalensisL. 1 0 0

Commelina forsskaleiVahl 1 0 0

Dodonaea viscosa Jacq 0 1 0

Echinopus spinosus 0 1 0

Ephedra cilliata 1 1 0

Euclea racemosa Murray subsp. schimperi 1 1 1

Euphorbia consobrina N.E.Br. 1 1 0

Euphorbia cuneata Vahl 0 1 0

Ficus salicifolia Vahl 1 0 0

Hibiscus vitifolius L. 1 0 0

Ipomoea obscura(L.) Ker-Gawl. 1 1 0

Jasminum fluminense Vell. 1 0 0

Jasminum grandiforum 1 0 0

Lycium shawii 1 1 0

Ocimum forsskaoliiBenth. 1 1 0

Ocimum menthaefolium 1 1 0

Olea europaea L. 1 0 0

Onychium divaricatum 0 1 0

Oxalis anthelmintica 1 1 0

Pancratium sickenbergeri 1 0 0

Pancratium tortuosum 1 0 0

Rhus abyssinica 1 0 0

Rhus abyssinica 1 0 0

Rumex simpliciflorus 1 0 0

Salvadora persica 0 1 0

Sisymbrium erysimoides 1 0 0

Solanum incanum 0 1 0

Solanum villosum Mill. subsp. villosum 1 1 0

Table key: MD-MO: mountainous drainage and mist oases; MUS: mountainous upper slopes; MWS: mountainous water springs; 0: absent; 1: presence


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3.2.14. Ombet population's Eco-geography and the suitable habitats in GE

(Tombet Habitats Suitability Index)

What are the main factors determining the ecological state of ombet tree habitats? A habitat suitability index for D.ombet is developed to provide the answer for this question and to measure the future status of the ombet habitats and their effects and affects on the ecological situation in GE. The following environmental variables are chosen as determining parameters for habitat suitability, which included: climatic, geomorphologic and biological factors. Collected semi-quantitative and qualitative knowledge about the impact of those variables on suitability of a site for D.ombet is formalized using a fuzzy set approach. The resulting index is implemented in GIS and applied to a test and measure the available suitable habitats status in GE for D.ombet. The results are compared to the actual distribution of ombet in the year 2007 to check their plausibility and status. This approach could use as a simple evaluation of the habitat suitability for ombet in a spatial scale and also as simulation tool, also the OHSI could support the any ecological impact assessment processes that can guide towards mitigate any potential impact on the important areas for Tombet distributions.

The finding of the O-HIS could conclude as following:

• Total Tombet suitable habitats in GE = 21.5 sq km

• Total Elba Mountain massive = 150 sq km

• Percentage of Tombet suitable habitats for the whole GE massive = 14.33%

• Suitable habitats index's parameters: Table 13 concludes the limiting factors that control the distribution of the ombet population and shapes its habitats; based on these parameters we can divide the ombet population's occurrence into different 6 eco-geographical zones, and could be defined as following: Zone 1: (include the Tombet populations of W. Artri's low slope) Zone 2: (include the Tombet populations of W. Marafay, Shtet, Darwina, Akaw, and the mid and upper slope of w. Tawella; and the middle slope of w. Aretri) Zone 3: (include the Tombet populations of W. Tawella's low slope) Zone 4: (include the Tombet populations of Camerba Mountian, W. Ghway and W. Nahaeeb) Zone 5: (include the Tombet populations of W. Aedieb-Kosheit) Zone 6: (include the Tombet populations of the outliers hills of W. Aedieb)

Map 12: different ombet eco-geographical zones (vector map for ombet distribution)

Map 13. Satellite raster map for the ombet

distribution


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Table 13: limiting factors/parameters that control the distribution of the ombet population in GE

Bioclimatic

Variable Zone1 Zone2 Zone3 Zone4 Zone5 Zone6 Min Max Range

Altitude (meter)

313-550

420-915

290-650

612-800

871-1000

556-600 290/300 1000 700

Minimum Annual Temp. 18.5 17.9 18.7 16.8 15.4 17.2 15.4 18.7 3.3

Maximum Annual Temp 30.6 30 30.7 29.1 27.7 29.3 27.7 30.7 3

Annual Mean Temperature 24.6 24 24.7 22.9 21.6 23.2 21.6 24.7 3.1

Mean Monthly Temp. Range 12 12.1 12 12.2 12.3 12.2 12 12.3 0.3

Temperature Seasonality 413.4 414.8 410.9 420.7 427.1 417.9 411 427.1 16.2

Max Temp. of Warmest Month 36.1 35.5 36.1 34.6 33.3 34.8 33.3 36.1 2.8

Min Temp. of Coldest Month 13.3 12.7 13.5 11.5 10 11.9 10 13.5 3.5

Temperature Annual Range 22.8 22.8 22.6 23.1 23.3 22.9 22.6 23.3 0.7

Mean Temp. of Wettest Quarter 23.3 22.6 23.4 21.5 20.1 21.9 20.1 23.4 3.3

Mean Temp. of Driest Quarter 19.6 19 19.7 17.9 16.4 18.2 16.4 19.7 3.3

Mean Temp. of Warmest Q 29.4 28.8 29.5 27.9 26.5 28.1 26.5 29.5 3

Mean Temp. of Coldest Quarter 19.4 18.8 19.6 17.7 16.3 18.1 16.3 19.6 3.3

Annual Precipitation 28 32 29 37 46 36 28 46 18

Precipitation of Wettest Month 17 17 18 17 18 18 17 18 1

Precipitation of Driest Month 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Precipitation Seasonality 205.4 178.3 209.9 149.9 124.8 165.8 125 209.9 85.1

Precipitation of Wettest Quarter 24 25 25 25 28 27 24 28 4

Precipitation of Driest Quarter 0 1 0 2 3 1 0 3 3

Precipitation of Warmest Q 2 3 2 6 9 5 2 9 7

Precipitation of Coldest Q 3 4 3 4 6 5 3 6 3

Alt – Slope (Degree) 89-90 89-90 89-90 89-90 89-90 89-90 89 90 1

Aspect values for the ombet populations: North: 13.31% of the ombet population's trees facing N, East: 2.27% of the ombet population's trees facing E, North East: 18.70% of the ombet population's trees facing NE, North West: 65.72% of the ombet population's trees facing NW


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Fourth Part: Project other Findings and Achievements In this part we present other achievements and activities in reference for the Dracaena-MAP project’s objectives and outputs:

4.1- Dracaena ombet Conservation

- Target output: To conserve with local community at least 10% of D.ombet

population against overgrazing and over-cutting threats.

4.1.1. In-situ conservation actions:

4.1.1.1. Protection Enclosures: The protection enclosure is effective way for protection the endangered species within their habitats especially against grazing impact. Based on our project plan and objectives we targeting establishing number of these enclosures for protection at least 10% of Tomebt population in GE in case of assess the grazing as main cause for ombet population decline. Depending on the project's survey results, there is no observation for direct impact of grazing on the ombet tree (review the 3rd chapter: Ombet's population survey results). Also based on the new populations that discovered and huge data that collected about each population, therefore we decided with full agreement with local community to delay the processes of establishment of these enclosures until we can developed a protective mechanism for the ombet population conservation priority setting, that could be support prioritizing the populations and areas that urgent needs these conservation measures. in the same time the survey results indicted that there is need for adopt a new approach for conservation more that enclosure to ensure protection of large area of the population for each prioritized population, this approach could include establishment and management a Dracaena ombet Community Micro-Reserves. For achieve this new objective, we has worked with local community for develop a ranking index for the D.ombet populations protection priority; this index has been supported us to ensure targeting the most needed populations for direct protections against a current and potential threats such as grazing. We hopefully are looking to provide direct in-situ conservation with local community for at least 10% of D.ombet

population against overgrazing and over-cutting threats in the near future. Protection priority Index: The most widely recognized system to determine the threat status of a species is the IUCN red list, red list provides scientific decision-making guidelines with which to assign species into categories of threats and protection values of population parameters. Using some parameters we can scaling the species conservation status based on what we can defined it as a Species Protection Index (SPI), the protection index used here was based on three distributional factors associated with extinction risk (IUCN 2000): number of locations/No of tree per population (Locs.), extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) for each population.


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This index prepared to facilitate for the project team for ranking the population depending on the population status, threats degree to get the protection priority. Needs for this index:-

• The urgent need for understanding the current status for dracaena omebt population in GEPA, and established an internal comparison between the populations.

• Due to a huge area of research and also for the large area of occurrence of D.ombet comparing for the area of occupancy, for that this index will facilitate implementing the conservation action deepening on the priority and the available tools.

• As a guide for a long term monitoring program for measure the degree of conservation status of dracaena inside GEPA.

Index structure:

For establishing an effective appropriate protection index, we used and integrated the following criteria:-

• IUCN Red List guidelines and criteria 2003

• By using the IUCN criteria, three criterions were chosen, Threats degree, occupancy degree and occurrence degree in addition for the number of distribution localities for the species.

• Based on the current knowledge about the Dracaena ombet in GE, we established a specific range for each criterion

• A priority ranking from 1-10 was established for each criterion.

P No of locs/trees EOO AOO Threats Degree

0 < PI ≤ 1 1 <0.5 < 0.01 1

1 < PI ≤ 2 2 <1 < 0.05 2

2 < PI ≤ 3 4 <2 <0.1 3

3 < PI ≤ 4 8 <5 <0.2 4

4 < PI ≤ 5 16 <10 <0.3 5

5 < PI ≤ 6 32 <20 <0.4 6

6 < PI ≤ 7 64 <30 <0.5 7

7 < PI ≤ 8 128 <40 <1 8

8 < PI ≤ 9 256 <50 <1.5 9

9 < PI < 10 512 <100 < 2 10

Table 14: Standard Protection index for Dracaena ombet populations in Gabel Elba The rank value for the index could be estimates as following: as example in case of W. Aedieb, EOO is 1.7 sq Km, AOO is 0.096 sq Km and Localities or number of D.ombet tree are 12. So based on table 14, referring for the SPI scale, and to compute and get a quantitative SPI value (willer et all 2006), for that W. Aedeib population with its 12 trees would fall within the location range for vulnerable (8 < No of Locations ≤ 16), which has a corresponding SPI range of 4 < PIlocs ≤ 5. Then we can compute the final value by interpolating linearly within this range (willer et all 2006): = 4 + (12-8) / (16-12) = 5 from tenth scale (total index rank ''10''). And by another way be collecting all the values for No of locs + EOO + AOO we can compute the final rank value as following: (5 + 3 + 2) / 3 = 3.3 from total rank 10. This means that this population has a high priority for conservation.


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4.2- Dracaena ombet status Assessment

- To assess the current conservation status of Dracaena in GEPA, by collates existing data on the plant, population and ecological data, local knowledge, and to Produce GIS-based map for Dracaena occurrence, at least for 80% of Dracaena population within GE.

Achieved: See the accompanied document No 1. Dracaena ombet survey status and conservation action plan final report

4.3- Prepare the D.ombet Conservation and Action plan; and long term

community based-monitoring program

- To produce a species conservation action plan inside GEPA, including monitoring

reports and community-based long term monitoring plan.

4.3.1. Prepare the D.ombet Action plan

Achieved: See the accompanied document No 1. Dracaena ombet survey status and conservation action plan final report 4.3.2. Long term community based-monitoring program

This part will sustain the on-going action for assess and conserve the ombet tree in GE, through ensure a long term monitoring activities, availability of a baseline data can be use for comparing and assess the population trend and full participation of local community for more sustainability for these actions. The community based long term monitoring program has been developed with participation of local community which including the following:

4.3.2.1. Establishment Long term monitoring permanent plots The project team with participation of GE’s locals has been established 10 permanent long term monitoring plots. These plots will act as tool for collected data on the population's trend and for tracking and assessment the tree growth rates; threats types and degree; and the population status of D.ombet and their habitats status. A continuous bi-annual monitoring will be undertaken for these plots as this monitoring program has been integrated with and listed as part of GEPA monitoring program processes and management plan with full community participation as a main base for completion and sustaining of this action. These monitoring processes will be carried out using simple illustrated sheets to facilities for local people to understand, react and use it in the ongoing monitoring programs. These permanent plots distributed as following: 2 plots within each of W.Marfay, W.Artri and W.Tawella; and one plot for each of W.Shtet, W.Aedieb, W.Akaw, W.Aedieb hills.


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4.3.3. Designed and Prepared an electronic Data bases for long term monitoring

program for Dracaena ombet and GEPA flora

4.3.3.1. The (DoMAP Project Database)

The Do-MAP electronic database uses a relational database management system (RDBMS) written in Microsoft Access 2003 software. Like all RDBMS based applications, the database comprises several data tables related to each other by various common link fields. Data entry is simple through customized simple entry forms. Database Structure The database includes main interface forms lead to different gateways for data entry or view. The main table is ‘’the Monitoring program data’’ with information on the tree tagging number and ID; branching status, grazing, threats rank; DBH, tree height, elevation, GPS Location, plot number; and other useful information about the Tombet populations in GE. This database has many sub-entry and view forms and tables such as: Tomebt distribution Maps, Ethno-botanical-TK data, Project Publications and multimedia resources (videos and pictures).

Figure 29: Project Database interface

Database using

For Using the Database simply during the project and in future, we designing this database and assumed that the database users have fair knowledge of using MS Access and also we taken in consideration that to facilities using this data base in future by a little or simple computer-skills rangers, community guides or other interested people. For that we fully depends in using illustration symbols for many of the database entry-fields, also we using a ranking-system for entry depending on a


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pre-defined-ranking key, as example for a tree branching there is an illustrated-symbolic key with 9 degree of threats, which any user easily can use this to choose the appropriate rank number for entry it inside the related field for the tree-branching-status-rank. A printed-out descriptive manual for using DoMAP Database will be prepared by end of the project, this to facilities basic steps of using the database. The database installed directly then can use a main icon on the desktop. This will open the database main interface screen. Which the user can have some welcome information about the project and the species, or/then can review the icons menu on the main interface to go through many data gateways/screens (Monitoring program, distribution Maps, Ethno botanical-TK data, Project Publications and multimedia resources). Each gateway lead to entry form/screen which in the same time can work as data presentation screens. In addition to this the data base forms/screens has a number of buttons in the below that help the user to navigate through and work with the records, and also where relevant, there are buttons that can be used in accessing other associated forms.

Data base Querying the data and report production. We used the available MS Access queries and reports options, for more useful and powerful information for users depending on the user’s requirement. Which for each data base we created some queries and reports buttons, and also as soon as user can search and query for many other related data. By these tools user can gather and get specific information as separated report which can use it by other applications.

4.3.3.2. The (DoMAP-GIS based Database) The DoMAP Geographical Information System database comprises several thematic layers in Arc MAP GIS 9.1 format. The data layers are geo-referenced shape files in a UTM coordinate system. These shapfiles (about 80 layers) already available for any ongoing long term monitoring or conservation action in GEPA, and all these layers restored as part of the project GIS Unit that established for support and increased the capacity building of GEPA: available

layers Layer definition Layer Description Formats

3 GEPA map Topographic and satellite maps for GEPA

MrSid, JPG, TIFF

2 GEPA elevation maps Elevation map for GEPA Assci, Shpfiles

4 GEPA boundary GEPA legal boundary Shpfile (line)

2 Grazing layers Domestics and wild animals grazing Shpfile(line & polyg)

2 Tombet distribution Ombet trees geographical locations Shpfile (points)

1 Local settlements Local community distribution in GE Shpfile (points)

1 Roads and tracks High roads, desert tracks in GEPA Shpfile (line)

1 Cities and villages Cities and villages In GEPA Shpfile (points)

60 Economic plants Distribution of 60 economic and medicinal plant species in GEPA

Shpfile (points)

1 Charcoaling Charcoal production hotspots in GEPA

Shpfile (points)

1 Water sources in Wells and springs in GEPA Shpfile (points)

Table 15: DoMAP-GIS based Database content and available data's layers


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Links DoMAP Access Base with GIS-Database

As numerous records in the DoMAP Access Base database are geo-referenced with UTM co-ordinates such as trees destitutions, plots and local settlements location; which have latitude/longitude coordinates in decimal degrees. Therefore this support a direct link of these records with the DoMAP-GIS Database, which each layer of the GIS-DB have link with the same layer record in the DoMAP database through the gazetteer file (Records) that contains the coordinates for the related data such as trees distributions, plots locations, which the DoMAP DB’s fields ID will be linked with a related shapefile having the same Id When applicable. As example the D.ombet tree number/ID ‘’MF-P5-122’’ in the DoMAP DB tables (ID = tree tagging No) will be linked with the MF_P5_122.shp ‘’ point shapefile’’ in the GIS database; and the Plot number/ID 5 ‘’MF_P5’’ will be linked with MF_P5.shp ‘’Polygon shapefile’’ in the GIS database. Availability of the DMAP databases for Egyptian researchers:

The DoMAP GIS and DB database will be available as special electronic directory on CDs in next months and we will distribute for the Egyptian universities and scientific research institutes, this to encourage the Egyptian researchers to share us the conservation activities for protection the dracaena ombet in GE, and to ensure that the available information could be support the long term monitoring and research on D.ombet in Egypt.

4.3.3.3. A preliminary Design for simple graphic-interface-GIS-based monitoring

program software, to be enabled for use by local community.

(Towards support the community GIS in Egypt)

As part of the project activities, the project team has been initiate a first initiate in Egypt for support the community GIS and enabling the local community for use the geo-informatics technologies ( GPS and GIS tools) as tools for monitoring, assessment and conservation the endangered species in GE and Egypt. The first steps of this initiate has been launched under the project and it is expected to be achieved by mid of 2009 especially after raise funding for implementation its activities. To date the project team has been developed a specific simple software/database able to use through mobiles handsets, this database support the GIS technologies, which contain graphics interfaces for review information about the Tombet as same as another available interfaces for data entry, which any user can add data about the tree height, DBH, branching, grazing status, etc. all the entry data will store automatic into the database. Users of this software could be any user even literate people. The transition and button of this database it designed as illustration and text to facilities for local people to be familiar for using it


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Fig 30: user interfaces for the preliminary GIS-based monitoring program software

4. 4- Documentation the related Traditional Knowledge

- To document and preserve related traditional knowledge to Dracaena.

See the attached document No. 2: A socio-economic and ethno-botanical study

4. 5- Capacity building of the project stakeholders

- To strengthen capacity of local people and relevant stockholders especially GEPA MU and NGOs in conservation actions, through active participation in the project; training to develop their knowledge; skills and experience; and infrastructure for ongoing conservation activities.

4. 5.1. Working with and contribution in Capacity building of the local NGO’s

and GEPA MU

4.5.1. 1. Training and enabling environment

4.5.1. 1.1. Training

• Towards Support stakeholders participation in Dracaena omebt tree conservation and GEPA Management and Depending on the project objectives, Red sea protected areas development association as community


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based NGO ha been worked with the project team as partner and many of this NGO‘s members has been join the team members as volunteers during all the project activities especially the field work and public awareness activities.

• The project team Drawn up a Memorandum of Understanding with RSPADA to facilitate for more participation in the D.ombet conservation, which as results for this protocol all the project equipments which include (laptop, camera, field tools) will be handover for this NGO after the project end which will contribute in support the efficient of its work and also will help in support any other ongoing activities for conservation dracaena and GEPA’s biodiversity.

• Also 12 members of RSPADA and GEPA staff has been join the team members in the first training ‘project management and GIS Application in protected area management’, which conducted in mid of august 2007, under the project activities. Such this participation and gained skills will contribute in support the NGO and GEPA staff in the near future especially in a decisions making process inside GEPA and biodiversity monitoring skills.

Figure 31: Trainees during their participation in the project management training

• In August 2007, the project team conducted a field on-job training (paraprofessional training) involved 5 rangers, 8 community guides and 5 local community members. This field training focused on endangered tree monitoring techniques, using camera for photography, GPS and provided on-the-job training and assistance with data analysis skills.

• Initiate a small program for support handicrafts products and local women participation in GEPA. This includes training sessions, meeting, raw materials, and initiate and participation in 2 handicrafts exhibition in Egypt for marketing their handicrafts and the project activities.

• The project team held training workshop included 7 rangers from GEPA staff and another 5 rangers from other national parks in Egypt, this training workshop included sessions and training on GIS and project management.

• The project team leader received training in biodiversity monitoring, data basing and communication and participated in Darwin's scholarship training program in the UK in August 2008. (This participation supported by the British council-Egypt and the Field Studies Council in the UK, during the period form 8-18 Aug.2008).


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• Part of the project plan, is to conduct exchange visit to Saint kathrine park, Egypt, due to some constrains, we conducted this visit to other nationa park in Egypt. Which in March 2008, 10 local community' members representing local community, RSPADA, project members and GEPA has joined an exchange visit for Wade Gimal National park, red sea governorate. This visit targets to put stockholders in contact with other local communities facing similar challenges and to support their skills and experience through share ideas and experiences with other communities. During this visit and with support from LIFE red sea project, the local community were participated in on-job training on honey bee production and it use as source for income-generating for support the local community livelihood in GEPA. Life red sea has provided 5 honey bee hives for GEPA's community to start a small project for honey production.

4.5.1. 1.2. Enabling environment

As training is very important for increasing and support the capacity building of the stakeholders responsible about conservation of the dracaena ombet and GE's biodiversity, also support an appropriate work enabling environment is have the same important. Due to that GE locate in remote area this affect the availability of appropriate and suitable infrastructure that can help in conducting the filed work that can support conservation its habitats. So the project team has been worked with local NGO (RSPADA) for close this gap. For In May 2008 the project team with cooperation of GEPA and RSPADA awarded a 5000$ small grant from the Red Sea Governorate for their joint project in conservation of Dracaena ombet, this grant has been used for established the first Field station for monitoring the Biodiversity and Climate Change and also to work as centre for provides services for local community. The CLP has been appointed as the sponsor for this station through direct contribution in establishment of this station and initiation this project. The design for this station has prepared and it's expected to be finished by end of the first quarter of 2009. This station will work as (Environment, Education and Community Centre) for GEPA which it's designed to include: accommodation, training halls, small offices and botanic garden.

Figure 32. Overview and interior view for the Filed station proposed design


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4.5.1.2. Technical support. (Contribution in Establishment the GEPA’s GIS

unit and endangered species data base):

By end of September a project team has worked with some of GEPA’s ranger which interest in establishment an organized GIS UNIT for the protected area management especially for conservation the endangered species within the protected area. As results for these efforts, they prepared a primary-well established small GIS-unit, this unit has been located in Abu Ramad office as a field management unit responsible directly with management Gabel Elba area, followed the GEPA MU. This unit will be support most the protected area management issue and decisions making during and after the project activities, also will promote and sustain the ongoing activities related with long term monitoring for D.ombet and any conservation actions in future. This GIS unit included contribution for the project (laptop, GIS software, hard disk), and contribution form the GEPA MU (printer, desktop computer). The available tools for this unit know include:

- Lenovo laptop - Fugesti siemns 100 GB Hard Disk storage - GIS Software ( ArcGIS 9, 9.1) with extension ( spatial analysis, image analysis,

3D analyst and geo-statistical analysis) - Free Diva-GIS software - Oziexplore software 3.2 - Erdas Imagine GIS Software - Satellite images ( Landsat 2000, Quick bird 0.6) - Elevation maps ( ASCII formats) - Climate data grids/maps from 1931-2001

As support from the project, a 3 days GIS short training was conducting for 7 rangers from GEPA’s and also another 5 rangers from other parks in Egypt joined this training (included W.Allaqi park, Salougha and ghazal park and Wadi Gimal Park). The project leader leads this training as trainer depending on his previous experience and gained skills as results for his attendance for the GIS training course in South Africa during his participation in the BPCP winner training course in July 2007.

4.5.2.3. Analysis the GEPA’s staff capabilities: (SWOT analysis)

This analysis carried out with and for the staff of GEPA’s southern protection sector, including rangers and community guides, which they responsible directly about management and conservation a biodiversity of Gabel Elba Area. This assessment includes evaluation for the strengths, weakness points in addition for the opportunities and threats that face the staff during their work. the goals of this analysis, that to understand the perspective of the GEPA staff, to assess their current capabilities in field of biodiversity conservation and the protected areas management, and to draw together a long term vision which can help in implementing and sustaining our proposed Dracaena ombet long term monitoring program and action plan.


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Strength points Weakness points

• Good knowledge about the area of GE.

• 80% of the staff form the local community of GE

• Good relation with local community and key stakeholders and agencies inside GE

• Interdisciplinary scientific background includes ( anthropology, botany, zoology and chemistry)

• Good knowledge about the threats facing the area and its biodiversity

• Some attempts for conduct monitoring programs for some endangered species in GE.

• Staff very active and have good experience about the field work in this area.

• insufficient field training

• Insufficient knowledge and skills about the up-to-date approaches for monitoring and conservation the biodiversity.

• insufficient field equipments

• Leak of design and implementing effective monitoring programs.

• Insufficient funding for environmental education.

• insufficient infrastructure (particularly in the field)

• PA organizational structure, job description and the work team tasks not well defined.

Opportunities Threats

• Important area for biodiversity in Egypt and Africa.

• fragile ecosystems

• Increasing the international attention about importance of this area.

• Training opportunities under some international and local projects.

• increasing of PA staff

• NCS support

• NGOs support

• accelerated threats in compare with development of the PA management resources

• climate change

• conflict with other agencies

• unstable socioeconomic situation

• shortage of Gov. funding

Table 16: GEPA’s staff capabilities: (SWOT analysis)

4.5.3. Empowering the local community of GEPA.

4.5.3.1. Strengthening the local community organizations

Establishment a special chapter for PSPADA in GE named with ‘GE conservation Trust’ as a first step for declare a new NGO for GE's community by 2009. It's expected that this NGO will settled in the field station to be close to the local community and to facilities providing services and support for local community.


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4. 5.3.2. Connection biodiversity conservation with local community livelihood in

GEPA: 4. 5.3.2.1. Development a traditional handicrafts and linking it with biodiversity

conservation

• project team with cooperation of RSPADA and GEPA initiate a pilot project/initiative for support the traditional handicrafts production in GE, these activities included conduct meeting and training session with about 10 local women for more understanding of their view, problems and opportunities for relief these handicrafts. The project team supported these women with some required raw materials for about 5 months. As results for this support the local women encouraged for produce their handicrafts that included symebols for the Dracaena tree, Gabel Elba AND also the CLP logo as show in the next figures. The traditional handicrafts production received a good appreciation from the public in Egypt which their products have been presented through number of local exhibitions with participation of RSPADA and GEPA.

Figure 33: some of the project's produced handicrafts by locals

• The project team has strength his cooperation with the project partners (Life red sea project, GEPA MU and RSPADA) towards support these activities, which the other partners also target for studying and support a potential opportunity for development a related handicrafts. And towards support the local community involvement in Dracaena ombet conservation, during August and September 2007, the project team with participation and direct support from the project partner organized and participated in 2 exhibitions for the handicrafts productions in Cairo city. These exhibitions aimed for more exploration for marketing opportunities which this will reflect on the local life and towards more linking for local livelihoods with conservation issues.


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Figure 34 a: handicrafts exhibition and local's participation in TV shows

• Also under this initiative, the project team received a technical support from Alexandria biblotica's CultNat (Centre for Documentation of the Cultural and Natural Heritage in Egypt), which conducted a national exhibition and forum for traditional arts and handicrafts of GE in the CultNat in July 2008, included exhibiting handicrafts products and public awareness event for participants on the national level with value of GE biodiversity particularly the Dracaena

ombet tree; and importance of support local community livelihood in GE.

Figure 34 b: handicrafts and local traditional arts exhibition in the CultNat

Included Project team and community participation; and poster about Dracaena ombet and GE

• Towards Support participation of young people among these communities and in conservation actions and to promote contribution of art beside the science in filed of conservation of GE and endangered species. We worked with young people to enabling them express about their feelings, perspectives and


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understanding for their community, environment and biodiversity. These activities included support and promote some local artists for produce drawing and art-works that reflect their understanding about the dracaena ombet and GE in the same to use these works as innovative tools for public awareness and education in local and national level. The project has contributed in participation of 3 local artists in national exhibition in CultNat in Cairo.

Figure 34 c: Some of the produced artworks and side of the exhibition

4. 6-communication, Education and Public awareness

- To increase awareness of values of Dracaena; by public awareness activities and community participation in the project field and community works and to mitigate current and potential human threats.

4.6.1. D-MAP Project logo

The project logo has designed by cooperation of the team members and the local schools' students, this logo designed depending on a deep understanding by the locals for their environments. The logo reflects a strong relation between local people and their environment. Schools children has played important


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role in designing this logo by matching their simple drawings with the project team members ideas. The project logo designed using two colors, green and brown color, and includes simple lines illustrated GE Mountain with its three peaks, D.ombet tree branches and leaves with green color and brown in top of the middle peak. As results for the link between these lines, we can see easily a middle peak has distinguished to a new feature like a man, the logo in whole refer to a complex and strong relation between local community, mountain ecosystem and D.ombet as symbol for GE’s biodiversity.

4.6.2. Public awareness and education

4.6.2.1. Local awareness:

4.6.2.1.1. Public awareness among the local community:

1- Raised awareness of D.ombet in the targeted Areas inside 3 villages and wades

(Abu Ramad village; and Wad Aedieb and wade Yahmeb) by conducted number of meetings and discussion groups with locals in these areas. During these meetings, we focused on the nature of their livelihoods, the importance of ombet tree and GE biodiversity in their live, their readiness and/or efforts in conservation the Dracaena ombet tree in GE and their requirements and problems in these areas.

2- The direct participation of local community members in the ombet tree survey trips is considers as the most effective way for raise their awareness about importance of the Dracaena ombet and their role in conservation. Many of locals join the project team during their field trip in within the ombet woodland, they involved as local guides and also as volunteers.

Figure 35: project team meeting and participation with local community in GE


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4.6.2.1.2. Public awareness for local schools and universities

4.6.2.1.2.1. Public awareness for local schools At beginning of the project, by May 2007, we has been started our awareness’ activities among local schools in Abo Ramad village, which the schools students represents a main audience for our target activities. Environmental education Symposiums and workshops

During the project period, the project team conducted 4 symposiums and film presentations about the D.ombet importance and GEPA, also 3 workshops has conducted with participation of students, included drawing sessions, during these activities students shown a good understanding and capabilities for exposure and explain their natural resources and environment through their drawings.

Fig 36: Environmental education symposiums in the local schools

Fig 37: Workshops and drawing activities in the local schools We promote them for including D.ombet as feature in their artworks, which a series of such these workshops including competitive activities and drawing exhibition has been organized which at end of these activities a celebrity event conducted with cooperation of local schools and prizes provided for the best artworks winners.


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Figure 38: some of the local student's artworks pieces

Conducted an environmental campaign and field trip A one day campaign and field trip organized to GE, which during this field trip the students explored the areas of D.ombet population and the methods that used for it survey and monitoring.

Establish a Future Conservationist Club The project and GEPA have provided a financial and technical support for Abo Ramad School for establish an Eco-Club which named '' a Future Conservationist Club'' to promote children participation in conservation of GEPA natural resources through environmental activities. This club established as a separated wooden room in the school garden and involved an environmental library, workshop and exhibition.

Figure 39: Project team, schools' teachers and students participation in establishment and activities

of the Future Conservationist Club in Abo Ramad village school


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4.6.2.1.2.2. Public awareness for local universities: The project team has conducted a symposium for students of botany department in South valley university, Qena, Egypt. This activity focused on raise awareness of the university students on importance of D.ombet and discusses and explores with them the potential roles and responsibilities of the university students and staff towards the Dracaena ongoing conservation actions

Figure 40: Public awareness symposium for local university's students.

4.6.2.1.2.3. Public awareness for local decisions makers:-

With partnership of GEPA MU and Life Red Sea Project a 3 days workshop organized in Shalateen town. This workshop Included representatives for the local communities, NGOs, local authorities and the Local Environmental Affairs Committee’s members. Through this workshop, the project team presented video film about GE biodiversity and D.ombet. Also the team members with cooperation of GEPA’s rangers organized a Field visit for the workshop participant for W. Aedieb to raise their awareness with importance of the endangered D.ombet tree and the current challenges which faces the biodiversity of these area and also the local communities.


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Figure 41: the public awareness workshops for local community and key agencies representatives in GEPA

Also project team involved with GEPA rangers in organization a field trip for the Red Sea’s governor for W. Aedieb, Gable Elba, as a higher rank decision maker, this trip included meeting with local community which discussed the current challenges and the potential solutions that faces them and their biodiversity in GE.

Figure 42: Red Sea governorate visit for Wade Aedieb

4.6.2.1.4. Environmental Educational and public awareness materials:

• The DMAP has Designed, produced and distribute an education pack for local use within the local schools in Abo Ramad village. This pack included poster for the project, drawing game in the theme of dracaena and endangered species, small maps for the countries which dracaena found, games sheets related with D.ombet in GEPA.

• A fact sheet has produced about the value of D.ombet and the threats which face this species in GE. We found a good interaction from children and local with these materials especially its represents the first own local materials inside GEPA which produced by GEPA’s rangers.


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Fig 43: Some of the project's environmental educational materials

• With cooperation with GEPA and BioMAP-Egypt project a first pioneer children story has produced about the D.ombet with the theme of the challenges of invasive species on the D.ombet and other endangered species in GEPA, this story produced to promote children towards understanding the current problems which faces these species. 2 version of this story has produced to reach all ages; for children less than 6 years, and another version for age more than 6 years.

Fig 44: The first children story about GE and Dracaena ombet with cooperation of the BioMAP project and Nature Conservation Sector

• Also in October 2007 the project team has initiate and announce competition among the schools students and local community in field of production and publishing a local story about the Dracaena ombet in GE to communicate with children. As result for this competition the project team received many ideas that supported edited and published the first illustrated children story about D.omebt, this story entitled '' Expedition for the ombet tree land'', which organized as imagination story about expedition for a friends group of a rabbit and gazelle for GE mountain to search about the dragon tree 'Dracaena ombet' and during this expedition they learn and surprised about the threats that face this tree and started to think how can they help it.


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Figure 45: Ombet tree Story cover and samples for its content

• The same story content has published as series of illustrated fact sheets which distributed for the children for raise their awareness about the ombet tree, and also for encourage them for design a similar materials about GE's biodiversity.


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Some samples plates for the Dracaena ombet story

Fig 46: Sample for the produced illustrated fact sheets about the ombet for the local schools in GE

4.6.3. National and international publicity:

Publicizing and dissemination information about the project activities nationally, and globally, this included:

• Published 2 articles in a local magazine ( National Egyptian Ahram journal (June 2008) and the local Int.News journal (Dec.2007))

• Published an article in the Global Mountain Forum Bulletin in January 2008, entitled ''effect of climate change on the endangered Dracaena ombet in Gabel Elba Protected Area, Egypt'' (www.mforum.org/bulletins)

• Submitted and published a scientific paper for the International Mountain Development and Conservation Organization's online conference entitled '' Empowering local community-GIS in Egypt: case study for use the Google Earth as community based-conservation tool in Gabel Elba Protected Area (GEPA), Egypt''.


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• Published and circulate the project activities news in the Bio-net international Bulletin, Global Mountain Forum website.

• Submitted paper about the project for the Regional Geoinformatics and Natural Disasters Early Warning system conference, Kuwait, will be held in 26-28 Nov.2008. This paper entitled ''Endangered Dracaena ombet tree species in Egypt: decline, climate change disturbance and the need for an Early Warning System''.

• Submitted and presented oral presentation in the Egyptian environment Day celebrity conference in June 2008.

• Project team initiated online group (Conservation Egypt) that used for circulate news among Egyptian groups and forums members.

• Presented an oral presentation in the UK, through participation of the team leader in Darwin's scholarship program in August 2008. (This participation supported by the British council-Egypt and the Field Studies Council in the UK, during the period form 8-18 Aug.2008).

• An article about the project activities has submitted for the British Council monthly Magazine, this article describe the project as a success story for the project team members as the first team that awarded the CLP Future Conservationist Award in Egypt.

• Also the project team, has been used the internet in sending an organized electronic messages via the internet for the electronic groups, conservation forums and the interested people with conservation (this include ‘Sahara safari group, BioMAP Forum and Global Mountain Forum’) about the project activities and the importance of D.ombet in GEPA, thus to promote people towards any cooperation in conservation this endangered tree in Egypt and also for raising their awareness about it importance.

• The project team and RSPADA members established a website for the project and RSPADA activities (www.rspda.org) .The website framework and the primary design have been prepared and it launched in December 2007, and will be updated periodically with news about the project activities.

• A special online group for conservation the endeared D.ombet has developed, this electronic site designed as online group ‘’on Google groups directory’’. Entitled as ‘Conservation Egypt’ (URL: http://groups.google.com.eg/group/conservation-egypt?hl=ar), which this name targets a wide range of people not only inside GEPA but also at the national level. Based on these electronic groups, the design includes a discussion forum to attract more volunteers to work with us from different areas in Egypt with different interests. To date we have a 19 active member, from different regions in Egypt, has registered with our online group and we always keep them informed about the project activities. Five members already work as volunteer with the project which has been supported the project through some voluntary activities such as, publishing news, In-kind donation for GEPA’s local community; participation in the project handicrafts exhibitions and provided many ideas for the project team.


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4.6.4. Communication, collaboration and partnership for support the project and

the ongoing actions:

Communication and collaboration:

• Towards more communication and collaboration with the related international conservation agencies and NGOs, we has been Initiated a cooperation with the IUCN-Species Survival Commission. This communication results in accepting the project team leader as a member in the IUCN-SSC- ( Cacti and Succulent Plants Specialist Group), this has been helped in finding a good communication channel not only for the project team members but also for GEPA’s rangers, which during the last 3 months, the CSPSG’s chief has been supported the project with valuable technical resources that supported and guided mainly in modified the field survey methodology and also in prepared a first global D.ombet status tree. Also this surely considers as a good indicator towards promote more sustainability for the project results and ongoing activities.

• As main interest for the project team members, some of the team members has participated in some national activities for raising awareness and promote decision makers towards more concern for D.ombet and endangered species in GEPA. In June 2007, team leader attended the Arab-UNESCO-Man and Biosphere scientific committee meeting in Sharm el sheikh, Egypt. This participation helped in finding a communication channels with some Arab researchers in field of biodiversity conservation.

Communication and policy:

• As there is urgent need for involving the Dracaena ombet conservation action on a national context and within national plans, the project team leader has lead and developed the first lines for the Egyptian strategy for conservation plant within the protected areas, this strategy a high priority for conservation of the Dracaena ombet and called for undertake urgent conservation action for its conservation in Egypt. It expected that in October 2008, the first meeting for discussion this strategy will be held, which will involve researchers and rangers from different national parks and scientific institutes in Egypt, and will help in organize the first Egyptian Plant Specialist Group. CLP will act as a main sponsor for this group as its project activities leads for initiate it.

Communication and funding:

• Prepared and submitted a pre-proposal for the START Program in Africa for initiate a project for assess the current impact of climate change on the Dracaena ombet tree ( pre-proposal rejected)

• Conducted on-line Wake-up Call for save the Dracaena globally; (through sending message for many scientists and agencies that have interests in conservation the endangered dracaena). This contributed in establishment the international partnership for conservation the Dracaena ombet tree and other


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endangered Dracaena species. This partnership named as (The Dragon Partnership), the partnership included members from Norway (Bergen university), Yemen (Socatra Development Project), the UK (Kew Botanic Garden) and Egypt ( GEPA, Dracaena-MAP project and botany department in south valley university)

- As result for initiate the Dragon Partnership, the partnership member prepared and submitted a proposal for funding to 'the Norway research council', this proposal entitled 'Taxonomic, population and conservation research on Dracaena ombet' ( Waiting for a final decision)

• Also in field of management the invasive mesquite tree in GEPA as one of the serious threats for GE ecosystems and particularly on Dracaena ombet habitats, the project team has joined and developed a cooperation with some specialists from the UK, which a proposal for funding has prepared and submitted for DFID for raise fund for establish a Global Mesquite Network, that will involve conducting more research and management for the invasive mesquite tree in GE ( this proposal get a primary approval and waiting the final decision)

• Proposal for funding and request submitted for the Red Sea Governorate for raise fund for establish a long term monitoring station for Dracaena ombet and GEPA's biodiversity (proposal accepted and 5000$ raised for establish the proposed station)

• Proposal for funding submitted for the British Council-Egypt for organize an environmental education initiative in GEPA for support the local schools through promote involvement of children in biodiversity observation and outdoors activities (proposal accepted and about 2000$ raised for start the project by October 2008)

Table 17: project partners and their role in support the D. ombet tree conservation activities

Partner name FI Pl& C EE CS CB OA

CLP NCS BIOMAP project MPCP project LIFE Red Sea project GEPA MU RSPADA OFF-ROAD EGYPT CULTNAT South Valley Univ. British Council-Egypt DRAGON-PARTNERSHIP IUCN-CSPSG Red Sea Governorate authority

Financing Planning &

consultation Environ.

Education Community

support Capacity building

Ongoing-actions

FI Pl&C EE CS CB OA


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4.7. Support the National Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation

- To contribute in implementing the National Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation

4.7.1. Linking the project with GEPA first Management Plan:

The project tram leader has been leading a task group of GEPA for preparation the first management plan for GEPA. This plan have been developed in July 2008, which have a high concern due for the national importance of GEPA as a national biodiversity hotspot, Therefore the team has been worked for linking the project activities and results to serve the management plan preparation, as results for that the project outputs including the Socio-economic assessment and the D.ombet status survey and conservation action plan contributed in strengthen the management plan and included in this plan as contribution of the CLP programme. For that the project achieved a strong link with the national biodiversity action plan (NBAP) which contributed in implementing and strengthen it, through prepare GEPA MP as it consider as urgent requirement for the NBAP. 4.7.2. Contributions of the project in support the national plans and report:

• Project results have been involved in the Egyptian National environmental outlook 2007, and selected as success story and role model for conservation the endangered species in Egypt.

• The project results have contributed in produce the 4th Egyptian National biodiversity report that submitted for the CBD COP9 in Bonn in May 2008.

• The project results have contributed in produce the Egyptian National Mountain status report, which prepared and submitted for the Egyptian Environment Affairs Agency in March 2008.

4.7.3. Contribution in prepare and implement the national Conservation Strategy

for Plants within the Egyptian Protected Areas Network (CSP-EPAN) Linking

the project with national plant diversity conservation Plan:

The project leader involved as member with national plant specialists team from other protected areas in Egypt for prepare the first national Conservation Strategy for Plants within the Egyptian Protected Areas Network. The first draft (attached with the project final report) has been prepared in September 2008 by the DMAP project team leader. DOMAP results and recommendations have supported preparing this national strategy.


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Fifth Part: Lesson learned and Recommendations

- The importance of the Ecological-Socio-Cultural Integrity as main base for

adopts the community based biodiversity conservation system:

Protect and restore the integrity of GE's ecosystems with special concern and support for

biological diversity and cultural diversity through:

• Adopt and relief the sustainable and traditional conservation system that realize a community based biodiversity conservation, this could happen through initiate a stable mechanism for economic and environmental incentives for support the community participation and with well understanding and support from the decisions makers on the local and national level.

• Create new and sustainable opportunities for income generating for the local communities in GE particularly in areas nearby the dracaena populations to reduce the pressure on the endangered species habitats, to involve them in its conservation action and to link their livelihoods with its conservation processes, which as more the dependence of their livelihood of these locals increased on and with the species as they worked towards its protection. These income-generated activities could include support handicrafts production, manage the charcoal production to increase their income in the same time decrease the pressures on the acacia species as flagship species in GE, and also these activities could include providing medical and educational services for the community.

• document and preserve the TK and spiritual wisdom that contribute to the best management for endangered species and GE ecosystem and local communities well being

• Promote establishment and/or support control of community towards establishment a safeguard Community Micro-Conserved Areas for the endangered species in GE, this to ensure the community full ownership, protection and restoration for the outstanding regions of plant-diversity. And these will strength local communities of Gabel Elba, enable them to care more with their land resources and environment, and will assign and empower their rights and responsibilities for more effective conservation.

- The importance of mitigate the current and potential threats on the

Dracaena ombet and GE 's habitats and support their resilience and

adaptation ability through:

• Control and manage the invasive alien mesquite tree in GE to prevent its spread inside GE's habitats and ensure more involvement for community in these processes.

• manage the use of renewable resources (fuel wood, and medicinal plants) in way that protected habitats, conserve species and protect the health of the


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ecosystem and decrease the degree of the vortex with the drought and climatic condition in this area

• Increase capacity of the local NGOs and GEPA for establishment and management a long term monitoring program as early warning mechanism for assess the impact of climate change on the species and the whole ecosystem.

- The importance of involvement of the decision makers, publics,

researchers and media in the conservation actions through:

• Ensure that decision makers address the ecological problems as well as people needs and the long term effects on the ecosystem in the decisions making processes.

• Ensuring that vital important information about endangered species and GE remains available for public, scientists and decision makers.

• Enhancing the role of and using the media mass in raising an awareness of ecological challenges and cases in GE, and support this role among the GE's staff, and support and exposure the importance of endangered species conservation and biodiversity of at nationally and globally.

• GE with its outstanding biodiversity in Egypt, should be work as a centre for promote public on a national level for more participation in biodiversity conservation and to raise their environmental awareness, through establishment a training and studies field centre for environmental education and biodiversity conservation.

- The importance of support the vital role of children as future

conservationists in Egypt:

• Support participation of young people among these communities and in conservation action to enabling them to lead the conservation future.

• provide, children and youth with the educational and environmental awareness materials that empower them to contribute in conserve their ecosystems

• promotion the contribution of art beside the science in conservation of GE and endangered species, to enabling every one to express about his feeling and understanding for his community, environment and biodiversity, and to help us for more understanding for these communities perspectives about their ecosystem.

- The importance of adoption innovative approaches for In-situ and Ex-situ

conservation of the endangered dracaena ombet in GE:

• Restoration and guanine reintroduction

This method will be very useful and effective in case of known the ecological and silvicultural requirements of our species and availability of good abundance of seeds. Here in case of D.ombet, there is doubt in availability of seed where to date there is no signs for fruiting or among the surveyed specimens which most of the


99

trees detected as too old tree to produce viable seed or too young to reach maturity for the production of seeds, in addition for lack of information on seed viability and other factors such as dormancy period (Mohammed, A.M 2004). But there is a high potential for the possibility of using vegetative propagation methods that can support and guarantees production of enough seedlings to cover the planned area of restoration and recovery. Based on the project result there is need for explore anew areas for plantation of D.ombet, by another mean for reintroduce the D.ombet within new areas for this species, which may be included historical distribution for the species among their distribution range or new areas that can support its presence (suitable habitats). The survey results indicated and recommend that the following areas could act as main regions for recovery, restoration and reintroduction the D.ombet in GE:

1- Areas that currently recorded as part of the ombet current distribution range (W.Shtet, W.Akaw, W.Darwina and W.Aedeib) - restoration and recovery for the species.

2- Area that recorded as part of the ombet historical distribution range (W.Aedieb Marsos and W.Tewoit), reintroduction.

3- Area that recorded as part of the suitable habitats range for D.ombet (W.Kansisrob, and W.Kesera), guanine reintroduction.

• Dracaena ombet's Arboreta The plant arboreta become common way for conservation which can work as sources of seed and material for research. Arboreta in most cases should be established within the same ecological zone or within the same micro-climate that suits the species. In Egypt there good opportunity for initiate cooperation with botanic gardens and universities for planting the dracaena ombet in special arboreta or botanic gardens by establish the suitable micro-habitat for the species. D.ombet required a stony micro-habitat with high precipitation rate (100-300 mm/y), high temp (29-30 C) this can achieve through establishment a glass houses with technology for adjusting all the appropriate plant requirements). It very recommended establishing a small botanic garden and arboreta for D.ombet in GE to be within the normal ecological zone, this botanic garden could be part of the proposed filed monitoring station in GE.

• Creation the community D.ombet micro-reserves (DMR) The micro reserves is considers as new approach for conserving the plants at the level of single or multi-targets-species, particularly in areas that have a high botanical value and isolated location. This approach leads to a small scale and flexible that support conservation the species under different conservation situations. In GE, and in case of D.ombet, there high possibility for establish number of MRs for conservation Dracaena ombet within GEPA and with cooperation of local communities. These MRs can be established to protect the most threatened ombet populations in GE which within each population a MR with area 20 ha or 0.2 km2 (200 x 1000 m or 500 x 500 m) could be established for the


100

in-situ conservation of ombet trees. The population protection priority index will support prioritizing the populations that needs this approach. For more effectiveness for these MRs it should be managed and ruled by local people in a participatory manner with GEPA and RSPADA, which they will be responsible about control the banned activities inside these MRs such as grazing, cutting or wood collecting. These MRs should be demarked by landmarks and signs and could be closed by fences if appropriate.

• Support On-going research and monitoring:

• Seeds collection, conservation and testing: It is very important to collect seeds from the existing mother trees in the next fruiting season. The collected seeds could be used for ex-situ conservation for seed stock in the national Gene Bank, and for testing the seeds viability and germination tests at the filed station in GEPA or with cooperation of the national bank gene.

• Support the continuation of the long term monitoring program and research on the Dracaena ombet to fill the knowledge gaps in areas of population trend, viability, ecology, silviculture and its habitats requirements that support its conservation action on long term.

• Carry out further monitoring and study the current drought to prove if the current dry periods are periodical, sporadic or part of longer-lasting climate change''. Theses results can support a feasibility of long term adaptation action for conservation the species in GE.

• Launch a research program for clarified and assess the taxonomical situation for this species, which to date there is confusion and misidentification for this species with other dracaena species: Dracaena ombet ssp. Schizantha and Dracaena serrulata. And here we can ask ourselves an important questions that are there is potentiality that the GE's Dracaena populations could be included 2 species or sub-species and not only the 'Dracaena ombet' species as it common known?. This will requires initiating communication and cooperation with abroad parties such as Kew botanic garden, the UK or Bergen University, Norway. Partctpation of the project team members in the globally Dragon partnership could facilities in realizing this research, which many partners of this partnership can help in conduct the research and DNA analysis for solve this taxonomical problem.


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References: A Feasibility study on preservation of the Nubian Dragon Tree (Dracaena ombet) in the Red

Sea Hills, Sudan<www.globaltrees.org>.[12 Nov.2006]. Anderson, J. (1898). Zoology of Egypt. I, Reptilia and Batrachia. B. Quatrich, London. Baha El Din, S. M. (1997). Report on the rapid field assessment of the Elba Protected Area.

May 1997, Report for NCS, EEAA Baha El Din, S. M. (2002). Biodiversity assessment in the Elba Protected Area, with

implications for Management, Report for NCS, EEAA and EIECP. Conservation International,Biodiversity Hotsopt Map(2006) Available from

http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots/afromonta Cunningham, A. (2001) Applied Ethnobotany: People, Wild Plant Use & Conservation.

London: Earthscan Pub. EIECP (2002).A report on Gabel Elba Project [online] Cairo: EIECP. Available from

<http://www.eiecop.org/pdf/ELBA.pdf>. [10 Nov.2006] El Azzouni, M. 2003. Conserving Dracaena ombet, Egypt's Dragon Tree. PlantTalk 34: 38-

39. Ghazaly, U. (2005). A report on assessment of the Dracaena omebt in GEPA. November

2005, Report for NCS, EEAA Ghazaly, U.F. (2006) Impact of desertification on traditional societies on Elba Mountain

region of Egypt. Mountain Forum bulletin Vol.1, Issu2.july 2006. Goodman, S.M. (1985). Natural resources and management considerations, Gebel Elba

Conservation Area, Egypt / Sudan. WWF / IUCN Project, No. 3612. Hobbs J. (1990), Bedouin Life in the Egyptian Wilderness, Cairo, The American University

in Cairo Press. Hoogstraal, H., Wassif, K. & Kaiser, M.N. (1957). Results of the NAMRU-3 southeastern

Egypt expedition, 1954. 1. Introduction, itinerary and environmental conditions. Bull. Zool. Soc. Egypt, 13:1-15.

Kassas, M. (1957). On the ecology of the Red Sea coastal land. J. Ecol. 45: 187-203. Kassa, M. & Zahran, M. (1971). Plant life on the coastal mountains of the Red Sea, Egypt. J.

Indian Bot. Soc. 50a: 571-589. Kassas, M. (editor) (1993). Habitat diversity: Egypt. Publications of the National Biodiversity

Unit, 1. EEAA, Cairo. Knut Krzywinski (2001), Deserting the Desert a Threatened Cultural Landscape between the Nile and the Red Sea, University of Bergen. Mohammed, A.M. (2004). Feasibility Study Report on Conservation of the Dracaena ombet,

the Red Sea Hills, Sudan, Report for SOS Sahel International UK Sudan Programme. Schweinfurth, G., (1865). Das land am Elba – und Soturba – Gebirge oder der vom Bischarin

– tribus Ammed-Goram bewonhte theil des nubischen Kuste. Petrm. Mittheil. 1865: 330-340.

Tuxill, J. and Nabhan, G.P. (2001) People, Plant and Protected Areas: A guide to In situ Management. London: Earthsacn Pub.

UNESCO (2006)Report of the Expert Meeting on Desert Landscapes and Oasis Systems< http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2001/whc-01-conf208-inf10e.pdf>[18 Nov.2006].

WMC 1998. Dracaena ombet. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. [15 November 2006].


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Appendices:

Annex 1. Project Brochure (Front and back side)


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Annex 2. Project Poster No 1

Annex 3. Project fact sheet 1


104

Annex 4. project article in the mountain forum bulletin

Annex 5: illustrated fact sheets about the ombet (information presented for children as story)


105

Seventh part: project financial and expenditures sheet

Main Budget Lines (As in the Project Proposal)

Code Items CLP

( $ )

CO-

Finance

( $ )

Co-

Finance

(in-kind)

Total

Co-

Finance Total

EQP 1 - Equipments:

E1 Satellite Maps and GIS Software 0 0 550 550 550

E2 Laptops*

E2 - 1 New Lenovo Laptop 798 0 0 0 798

E2 - 2 Second hand IBM laptop 448 0 0 0 448

E3 Field logists

E3 - 1 Back bags, sleeping bags, Torches 250 0 300 300 550

E3 - 2 2 Trees DBH Measurement tools 35 0 0 0 35

E3 - 3 Trees Tagging signs / tools 110 0 0 0 110

field notebooks, pens, papers 60 0 0 0 60

E4 Books and bibliographic 88 0 50 50 138

E5 2 GPS units 0 0 420 420 420

E6 PH meter

E7 Papers, newspaper for Herberium/Herberium press 90 0 0 0 90

E8 Thermometer 50 0 0 0 50

E9 Field legists (kitchen - first Aids) 45 0 40 40 85

E10 2 Digital camera/ battery /sd card 472 0 300 300 772

E11 Video camera 0 0 400 400 400

External hard disk for data backup 165 165

Total Equipments Costs 2611 0 2060 2060 4671

FSC 2 - Field Survey :

F1 Field survey Transportation ( 4 wheel drives) 2000 0 500 500 2500

F2 Team Food costs 1300 0 0 0 1300

Total Field Survey costs 3300 0 500 500 3800

CBT 3 - Community support, Capacity

building and Training :

C1 Community incentives and support activities**

C1 - 1 Handicrafts Conservation Program 280 0 200 200 480

C1 - 2 GIS and Project management training for Rangers 310 0 100 100 410

C1 - 3 Establishment of the CLP Club in Abo 270 0 150 150 420


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Ramad Village

C1 - 4 Establishment the Dracaena Field Monitoring Station 900 5450 500 5950 6850

C2 Exchange visit *** (Exhibition) 500 1818 0 1818 2318

Total Community support, Capacity building and Training costs 2260 7268 950 8218 10478

AEC 4 - Public Awareness, Education and

Communication :

A1 Field campaign / Students trips for Gabel Elba 190 200 0 200 390

A2 Conservation Prizes Programme 80 0 0 0 80

A3 Incentives / Small Gifts for community 120 0 500 500 620

A4 Posters 87 0 0 0 87

A5 Fact sheets ( For students) 50 0 0 0 50

A6 T-shirts 177 0 100 100 277

A7 Education materials from NCS 0 0 500 500 500

A8 Final Project workshop 150 0 250 250 400

A9 Community work in Abo Ramad village ( calls and transportation) 120 0 0 0 120

A10 Internal Travel 150 0 0 0 150

A11 Schools Awareness/Drawings workshops/activities 125 0 100 100 225

A12 Children story about Dracaena 141 0 141

A13 Website 0 0 145 145 145

A14 Brochure 212 0 0 0 212

Total Public Awareness, Education and Communication costs 1602 200 1595 1795 3397

PAM 5 - Project Administration and

Management:

P1 Administration 260 0 0 0 260

P2 Final Report and species action plan Preparation and Production 150 0 100 100 250

P3 Other* 140 0 0 0 140

Total Project Administration and Management Costs 550 0 100 100 650

Finance (exchange rate losses and bank

fees) 125 0 0 0 125

Total Project Expenses 10448 7468 5205 12673 23121


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Equipments

20%

Field Survey

17%

Community support

and Capacity building

45%

Public Awareness and

Education

15%

Project Management:

3%

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