In the wind-battered heights of Socotra Island in Yemen, a young woman delicately holds a tiny seedling. Sena Keybani carefully protects with wire and wood what could be one of the last young specimens of the dragon’s blood tree, a species as ancient as it is emblematic, currently struggling to survive.
These broad-crowned trees with red sap, unique in the world, are vital to Socotra’s ecosystem. Not only do they capture water from the arid air, but they also sustain a fragile ecological and economic balance. Their surreal shapes have made the island a magnet for ecotourism.
However, their survival is at stake. More intense cyclones, caused by climate change, uproot centuries-old trees. At the same time, invasive goats devour the seedlings before they can mature. Natural regeneration is virtually stalled.
Added to this is the political instability in Yemen, a war that has left the country without resources to protect its greatest ecological treasure. Socotra, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, survives thanks to community initiatives, with rudimentary nurseries managed by families like Sena’s.
A Prehistoric Jungle on the Verge of Disappearance
Socotra is home to over 800 unique plant species, many of them exclusive to the island. Visitors come in search of otherworldly landscapes, such as the dragon’s blood forests, which only survive in remote or protected areas. Without these trees, not only a symbol disappears, but also the tourism that supports hundreds of local families.
Scientific projections are grim: if no action is taken, these millennia-old trees could become extinct in a few centuries. “When they disappear, the entire ecosystem is lost,” warns biologist Kay Van Damme, who has been studying the island since 1999.
In 2015 and 2018, unprecedented cyclones ravaged thousands of specimens, many over 500 years old. The more intense storms are a direct consequence of the climate crisis, according to NOAA, and will continue to increase if emissions are not reduced.
The slow growth rate of the tree (only a few centimeters per year) makes a rapid recovery impossible. Without secure nurseries, young trees do not survive. And without young trees, the forest ages and dies.
Saving Socotra is Preserving Earth’s Legacy
With armed conflict in Yemen, authorities have other priorities. The environment, as an analyst points out, is an “unattainable luxury” for a government that can barely provide basic services.
Conservation is then left in the hands of the Socotrans, who do what they can with minimal resources. The improvised nurseries collapse within a few years. Strengthening them with durable materials would be a simple yet effective solution.
Saving the dragon’s blood tree is much more than preserving a botanical rarity: it is protecting an entire ecosystem, a local culture, and a unique window into our planet’s biodiversity. And in this race against time, any support can make a difference.
The dragon’s blood tree is an endemic species of Socotra Island. Photo: Wikipedia.
The Enigmatic Dragon’s Blood Tree
The dragon’s blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) is an endemic species of this island. Its distinctive umbrella-shaped crown and red sap make it a symbol both ecologically and culturally.
Its sap, known as “dragon’s blood,” has been valued for centuries for its medicinal, dyeing, and even mystical properties. This intense red liquid oozes when the tree is cut or damaged.
In addition to its cultural value, the tree plays a crucial role in the Socotran ecosystem. Its crown collects moisture from the air and directs it to the ground, helping to retain water in an arid environment.
However, climate change, excessive grazing, and cyclones threaten its survival. Its slow growth and limited regeneration make conservation efforts urgent and essential to preserve this natural treasure.
