Save Frankincense and Dragon Trees
We are deeply committed to conserving Dracaena ombet ssp. schizantha, Boswellia sacra Flück (syn B. carteri Birdw.), and Boswellia frereana Birdw ssp. of the Burseraceae family. They are unique to Somalia, embodying significant economic, spiritual, cultural, and ecological value. Unfortunately, they are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, underscoring the pressing need for conservation initiatives.
Challenges
The Golis mountain ranges in northeastern Somalia, home to both frankincense and dragon trees, are grappling with a host of challenges leading to high mortality rates and forest decline. These issues are compounded by:
Resource mismanagement: Studies conducted in the region reveal that local communities are engaging in unsustainable harvesting practices, including the overharvesting of trees, targeting immature specimens, and resorting to destructive methods such as bark stripping. These practices accelerate the decline of these species and degrade their habitats.
Pests and environmental factors: Natural factors, such as the prevalence of pests like the locally known xare (wood-boring beetles), significantly contribute to tree mortality. Additionally, environmental stressors like drought, soil degradation, and climate change further exacerbate the challenges faced by these habitats, leading to their loss and degradation.
Frankincense tree (Boswellia carteri)
Our Conservation Initiatives
Reviving Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Sustainable Frankincense Governance
Reviving Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is a core aspect of our approach to ensuring sustainable frankincense governance. For generations, local communities in the Golis Mountain ranges relied on traditional practices to manage frankincense trees sustainably, passing down knowledge on how to balance harvesting with ecosystem preservation. However, the pressures of modern commercial activities and the decline in traditional livelihoods have led to the erosion of these practices, resulting in unsustainable harvesting methods that now threaten the survival of frankincense trees.
Our efforts focus on documenting and formalizing these customary laws and practices, known as Xeer, which historically regulated the harvesting of frankincense. By combining this deep-rooted knowledge with modern ecological science, we aim to create an adaptive management system that safeguards the trees while ensuring long-term community benefits. We engage local communities, particularly elders and custodians, to document oral histories, sustainable tapping methods, and conflict resolution practices. These insights are then used to guide current harvesting practices, ensuring they are both sustainable and equitable.
Promoting Fair Trade of Frankincense Production Through Market Accessibility
In the Golis Mountain ranges of Somalia, communities rely heavily on the harvesting of frankincense as a primary economic activity. However, many of these harvesters lack direct access to international markets, leaving them dependent on middlemen traders who often pay them unfairly for their valuable product. This inequity not only keeps the harvesters in poverty but also drives unsustainable practices, such as overharvesting. Without fair compensation, harvesters are forced to prioritize short-term gains over the long-term health of frankincense trees, leading to obsessive harvesting practices that can damage or even kill the trees.
The exploitation of these workers highlights the urgent need for better market accessibility to promote fair trade practices. By enabling local harvesters to directly connect with international buyers, we can ensure that they receive fair compensation for their work, allowing them to reinvest in sustainable harvesting practices that prioritize tree health and long-term conservation.
Ecological Research & Monitoring
Our team of researchers and field experts systematically study ecosystems across the Golis mountain ranges to understand their unique characteristics and dynamics, particularly focusing on frankincense and dragon trees. Through rigorous monitoring programs, we track changes in tree populations, habitat conditions, and environmental factors over time. This data collection and analysis provide valuable insights into ecosystem health and the effectiveness of our conservation efforts, guiding strategies for protecting vulnerable species and habitats and ensuring a sustainable future for these iconic trees.
Through meticulous data collection and analysis, we gain invaluable insights into the health of these ecosystems and the efficacy of our conservation efforts. This information serves as a cornerstone for developing targeted strategies aimed at protecting vulnerable species and habitats, thereby ensuring a sustainable future for both frankincense and dragon trees in the region.
Combating Pests, Parasitic Plants, and Invasive Species
Species Savior is dedicated to implementing effective strategies for managing pests, parasitic plants, and invasive species, with a particular focus on protecting frankincense and dragon trees. Through scientific research and monitoring, we identify priority invasive species and pests, assessing their impacts on native ecosystems. Based on our findings, we develop and implement targeted control measures, including eradication programs and habitat restoration initiatives.
Additionally, we engage actively with local communities to raise awareness about the risks associated with invasive species and promote sustainable practices to prevent their spread. By addressing these threats, we strive to safeguard Somalia’s native biodiversity and maintain the integrity of its ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations.
Addressing Dependency and Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods
Another challenge is the overdependence of these communities on a single resource—frankincense. According to the United Nations, economic reliance on one or two species is not sustainable. In Puntland State of Somalia, promoting livelihood diversification is a key development goal. Communities face limited options, and in the absence of alternatives, some turn to destructive extractive industries such as charcoal production or small-scale mining, which involve toxic chemicals and environmental degradation. These activities, while offering short-term income, are highly unsustainable and harmful to both the environment and public health.
To break this cycle of dependency, our organization advocates for the development of alternative livelihoods that not only provide economic security but also align with the goals of conservation. We are actively exploring and developing new economic models that include:
1.Payment for Ecosystem Services and Restoration Projects: Engaging communities in ecosystem restoration by providing financial incentives for conservation efforts. This could involve the reforestation of degraded areas, soil conservation, and the sustainable management of natural resources, including frankincense trees.
2. Ecotourism: Promoting small-scale ecotourism ventures that allow visitors to experience the unique biodiversity and cultural heritage of the Golis ranges. This approach provides local communities with an additional revenue stream while raising awareness about conservation efforts.
2. Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs): Encouraging the harvesting and commercialization of non-timber forest products such as honey, which has great potential in the region. Honey production offers a sustainable livelihood alternative that complements forest conservation and supports biodiversity.
3. Sustainable Agriculture: Developing sustainable agriculture in areas with better access to water resources. This includes the cultivation of native, drought-resistant crops, as well as the promotion of aloes and other valuable native flora with economic and medicinal value.
Resources & Tools
