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Socotra Archipelago

Socotra Zoning Plan, Yemen

The Socotra Archipelago is located off the Horn of Africa, at the crossroads between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is recognised as a regional centre of biodiversity, with spectacular endemic species such as the Dragon Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari). Socotra has a rich cultural heritage, including the unique Soqotri language. Isolated from the rest of the world, traditional land and sea uses remained little changed until the 1970s.

Declaration Date: 2003
Surface Area: 2,681,640 ha
Administrative Division: The Socotra Archipelago is dividedinto two administrative districts, Hadibo and Qalansiya,which also includes the islands of Abdul Kuri, Darsaand Samhah. Both districts come under the administrationof the Governor of Hadramaut in al-Mukalla, Yemen

Human Activities

  • Controlling of extraneous species
  • Ecotourism Management :interpreter / guiding, clean upcampaign, visitor safety, camping equipment rental
  • Environmental monitoring programs
  • Environmental education

Ecological Characteristics

© OUR PLACE The World Heritage Collection / Chris Morton

Socotra is the world’s tenth richest island for endemic plant species.

And the biggest island in the Middle East125 kilometers in length and 45 kilometers across. The most significant feature of the island where there are about 900 plant species including 307species of endemic plants such as dragon's blood trees (Dracaena cinnabari), or the tree ofpatience and other. Socotra's fauna is just as fascinating.

Among the land birds Socotra Island is home to 180 species of birds 6 species are endemic. There on the island of Socotra about 14 species of mammals, including the types of wild and domesticated species, including pets, or is wild (civet cat). There are 190 species of butterfly and with a large number of endemics. The reptilian and insects fauna is also very rich 600 species of insects with 90% with high proportion of endemic.

The reptilian fauna is also very rich with 19 out of a total of 22 species regarded as endemics. Socotra Island is home to more than 680 species of fishes are comparable to those of the Red Sea, and about 230 species of hard corals (five are endemics) and 30 species of soft corals.

In addition to 300 species of crustacean (nineare endemics), 490 species of mollusks, and 230 species ofalgae. Sea-turtles also nest on the north of the island. Anendemic fresh-water crab, Potamon socotrensis, is common in the temporary water-courses.

Protection Classifications

National protected area & Zoning plan were developed

> Back to Biosphere Reserves in Yemen

                                                                                             Last updated : July 2011

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