I.IV Project structure

Output 1. Scientific tools supporting Boswellia conservation efforts

Activity 1.1. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic research on Boswellia species and populations

Knowledge of genetic variability among populations can help understand the evolutionary principles of island’s populations in general and it is necessary for setting up evidence-based nature conservation measures. All conservation measures should keep the evolutionary principles to protect not only species but also genetic diversity. This information is also crucial for replantation strategies to avoid artificial mixing.

Activity 1.2. Boswellia (Commiphora) diversity/hybridization exploration

Boswellia inventories focused on areas with common overlapping occurrence of more than one species, and areas where many new natural hybrids were found and could be still found. This is important to understand the evolution of this group.

Activity 1.3. Boswellia resin chemical composition on species and population levels

Resin, as a main product of frankincense trees, is not investigated well in the Socotran species. It is clear that, among 11 endemic taxa, there is a large potential to discover new chemical compounds that could be important in pharmaceutical or cosmetical industries and therefore potentially increase local income from trees. This study would be important from phyto-chemotaxonomical point of view.

Activity 1.4. Baseline inventory of distribution and IUCN threat assessment of selected species

Combination of field-based and remote sensing inventory of Boswellia (11 endemic species), Commiphora (4 endemic species), Cadaba insularis, Dirachma socotrana, Dracaena cinnabari, Sterculia qfricana ssp. socotrana and Angkalanthus olygophylla will lead to establishment the founding database and to re-assessment for IUCN Red List.

Activity 1.5. Honey chemical and pollen composition and pollinator network analysis

Honey from different plant species and different localities will be analysed to find their potential health and nutrition values and compared with honey from Boswellia/Commiphora/Dracaena woodlands. Relationship between pollinator and species could give us an important answer about floral biology and seeds development.

Output 2. On the ground conservation measures and increasing resilience

Activity 2.1. Maintenance of reforestation areas from Phase 1 (2020-2022)

The trees planted within Phase 1 are 1-2 years old which is insufficient for spontaneous development. All reforestation areas will need maintenance of fences at least in the next 3-years period. Local communities take the lead in this activity (trees are on their property).

Activity 2.2. Establishment of new reforestation areas

Regeneration and reforestation should be shared in the other areas of the islands with occurrence of important populations. It requires the continuation of nurseries, seed banks, fencing, and mainly the work with local communities.

Activity 2.3. Support of home gardens

Local people on Socotra like, and often depend on, home-gardens which are becoming an important part of their settled life. Support of home-garden establishment by material (fence, irrigation system) enable also native tree planting beside the establishment of local vegetable or fruit trees. The native tree provides shadow for vegetables and profits from watering, growing in a sheltered environment and protected from goat browsing. Home-gardens will allow the local population to utilize a variety of plants being grown there. The local people prefer tree species with ethnobotanical use (a category to which Boswellia species belong), therefore linking to a cultural and economic value (resin).

Activity 2.4. Nature-based regeneration

Usage of spiny or poisonous shrubs as nurse plants facilitating trees regeneration. Boswellia seeds have been sown bellow such shrubs which will serve as a natural protection for germinated seedlings.

Activity 2.5. Hydrogel testing

The usage of new fully organic hydrogel developed by Technical University (Brno, CZ) will be tested in reforestation areas to prolongate wet period and to increase the survival rate of re-planted seedlings.

Output 3. Capacity Building and Awareness

Activity 3.1. Ethnobotanical trainings with certificate

Organisation of field trips and Socotri language courses to improve knowledge of attendants about Socotra and then engage them as volunteers in some specific activities (seed distribution under shrubs, looking for seedlings from natural regeneration, planting own trees, etc). Attendants will obtain a certificate of participation.

Activity 3.2. Awareness activities in elementary and high schools

Trainings focus on Boswellia species importance, conservation status, regeneration measures for students of high schools and pupils of elementary schools. Establishment of school gardens with Boswellia trees replantation, in continuation of the success of these activities in first phase (and in more schools).

Activity 3.3. Support in co-learning and capacity building of local experts

Scholarship and study fee (+ travel cost) to support member of the indigenous Socotran expert team in MSc study at one of the partnering universities in Europe.

Output 4. Socio-economic benefits

Activity 4.1. Olibanum/Frankincense and Myrrh value chains

Potential socio-economic benefits of Boswellia and Commiphora as a source of resin and ethnobotanical uses, the potential of revenue through ecotourism, e.g., visitors to see conservation activities and resin products (traditional – resin, censers and new ones – aromatic sticks, Boswellia essential oil, Boswellia hydrosol, bath salt with Boswellia aroma, Boswellia or Dracaena honey, Dracaena healing ointment, etc.) as a potential revenue, and other mechanisms will be explored here to assess long-term sustainability of the activities.

Activity 4.2. Honey analysis and improvement of value chains

Cooperation with beekeepers in term of reforestation will increase their honey production. Material support will help them in the beginning, future increasing of honey production allow them to invest part of income to the reforestation activities by themselves. We have identified the local beekeeping association that will be our partner in this venture, and we will collaborate with an international partner to understand more about honey quality and pollinator-plant interactions as a crucial link between human livelihoods and tree conservation.

Activity 4.3. Local branding

All products in value chains related to Boswellia will get local or potentially UNESCO brand, which will improve its saleability and help to get fair prices, led by local producers.

Output 5. Improving Project Sustainability

Activity 5.1. Local forest certification system

Very simple local certification system will be developed. Certification authority will issue a permit for local community to allow them to sell the non-timber products from Boswellia woodlands. The main condition should be the care for the regeneration of Boswellia woodland and its important non-timber products.

Activity 5.2. Monitoring and Evaluation

Identification and follow-up of indicators and monitoring effects during the project to assess real improvements in Boswellia and Commiphora tree conservation have been achieved. This allows adaptive monitoring in order to assess and deal with new issues to ensure success of the outcomes and a degree of flexibility. Also, the impact of regeneration activities and fencing on the occurrence of other species in the habitats and the benefits for local communities will be monitored.

Activity 5.3. Boswellia and Commiphora Conservation Strategy and Species Action Plan

Preparation of Conservation Strategy and Action plan for Boswellia and Commiphora species with close cooperation of all stakeholders containing two basic parts, 1. Analysis (current status, development, main driving forces and threats) and 2. Strategies & Suggestions. Based on distribution data we will define keystone population for every species and suggest their conservation and management rules. Reforestation, regeneration, monitoring and certification will be the main measures for Boswellia conservation and adaptive management. This process will be participatory (i.e., guided by local communities and other local stakeholders, not guided by science alone). The conservation plan will be also designed to attract potential funding from other donors than Franklinia