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 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 2 Final Project report Content Abbreviations ……………………………………………………………….. 2 List of figures ……………………………………………………………….. 8 List of maps …………………………………………………………………. 9 List of tables …………………………………………………………………. 9 List of appendices …………………………………………………………… 9 Acknowledgements………………………………………………………….. 10 Suggested Citation………………………………………………………….. 11 DMAP Project Team Members……………………………………………… 12 Executive Summary …………………………………………………………. 14 Project outputs and Achievements Summary………………………………... 15 Project evaluation against the outputs……………………………………….. 20 1. First Part: Introduction ………………………………………………….. 21 1.1. The report structure……………………………………………………. 21 Accompanying documents…………………………………………………… 21 1.2. The project background ………………………………………………... 22 1.2.1. Overview of the target species and need for the project…………….. 22 1.2.2. Overview of the Project Area………………………………………... 22 1.2. 2.1. Location …………………………………………………………… 23 1.2.2.1.1 General Description………………………………………………. 23 1.2. 2.1.2 Climate……………………………………………………………. 24 1.2 2.1.3 Geomorphology…………………………………………………... 25 . 1.2. 2.1.4. GEPA Hydrology………………………………………………… 26 1.2. 2.1.4.1. Rainfall…………………………………………………………. 26 3 Final Project report 1.2. 2.1.4.2. Groundwater…………………………………………………… 27 1.2.2. Local communities and indigenous culture…………………………... 27 1.2.2.1. The Bisharia………………………………………………………… 28 1.2.2.2. The Ababda…………………………………………………………. 28 1.2.2.3. The Rashayda……………………………………………………….. 29 1.2.3. Social-Economic Context…………………………………………….. 29 1.2.4. Biodiversity of GEPA………………………………………………… 30 1.2.2.4.1. GEPA’s habitats………………………………………………….. 30 1.2.2.4.2. GEPA’s Biodiversity Importance………………………………... 32 1.2.2.5. Gabel Elba Protected Area's Management Effectiveness………….. 34 1.3. Project aims……………………………………………………………... 35 1.3.2. Project outputs………………………………………………………... 36 1.3.3. PROJECT ANALYSIS ………………………………………………. 37 1.3.3.1. Project Problems Tree ……………………………………………… 37 1.3.3.2. Project Solutions Tree ……………………………………………… 37 2. Second Part: Project methods and approaches: ………………………... 38 2.4.1. D.ombet populations Survey and monitoring ………………………... 38 2.4.1.1. Methodology and Field work Protocols…………………………….. 38 2.4.1.1.1. Methodology standardization and field logistics………………….. 38 2.4.1.1.2. Pre-field work protocols …………………………………………. 38 2.4.1.1.2.1. D.ombet's Participatory eco-geography………………………… 38 2.4.1.1.2.2. Para-professional training and………………………………….. 38 2.4.1.1.3. Field survey protocols……………………………………………. 39 2.4.1.1.4. Data management and analysis ………………………………….. 41 4 Final Project report 2.4.1.1.4.1. Meta data ……………………………………………………… 41 2.4.1.1.4.2. Data analysis …………………………………………………… 41 2.4.2. Community work …………………………………………………….. 42 2.4.2.1. Participatory rural appraisal ………………………………………... 42 2.4.2.1. Participatory Rural Appraisal protocols (PRA)…………………….. 42 2.4.2.2. Researches Action Participation Protocols…………………………. 42 Third Chapter: Findings…………………………………………………… 43 3. Field survey and monitoring results…………………………………….. 43 3.1. Participatory eco-geographical D.ombet distribution mapping…………. 43 3.2. Populations survey and short term monitoring results…………………... 44 3.2.1. Main observations……………………………………………………... 44 3.2.2. Populations size and distribution…………………………………….. 47 3.2.3. Populations trend…………………………………………………….. 48 3.2.4. Populations Healthy Status…………………………………………... 49 3.2.4.1. Survival status of ombet tree……………………………………… 49 3.2.4.2 Healthy status classes………………………………………………… 50 3.2.5. Population boundaries and coverage: ………………………………… 51 3.2.5.1. D. ombet’s Extent of Occurrence…………………………………… 51 3.2.5.2. D.ombet Area of Occupancy ………………………………………. 53 3.2.6. D.ombet Population age structure and classification………………….. 55 3.2.6.1. D.ombet Population age structure…………………………………… 55 3.2.6.2. Dracaena ombet age classification scheme………………………….. 56 3.2.7. Altitudinal patterns of the ombet tree…………………………………. 57 5 Final Project report 3.2.8. Threats: Causes for the deterioration of Dracaena ombet……………... 58 3.2.9. Uses and importance of Dracaena ombet………………….………….. 62 3.2.10. SIGNS OF NATURAL REGENERATION…………………………. 63 3.2.11. Tree ecology…………………………………………………………. 65 3.2.12. Reproduction…………………………………………………………. 66 3.2.13. Associated plants communities……………………………………… 66 3.2.14. Tombet Habitats Suitability Index…………………………………… 68 4. Fourth Part: Project other Findings and Achievements…………………… 71 4.1.Dracaena ombet Conservation………………………………………….. 71 4.1.1. In-situ conservation actions………………………………………….. 71 4.2. Dracaena ombet status Assessment……………………………………. 72 4.3. D.ombet Conservation and Action plan; and long term community based-monitoring program…………………………………………………. 72 43.1. D.ombet Action plan………………………………………………….. 72 4.3.2. Long term community based-monitoring program…………………… 72 4.3.3. The (DoMAP Project Database) ……………………………………. 73 4.4. Documentation the related Traditional Knowledge……………………. 77 4.5. Capacity building of the project stakeholders …………………………. 78 4.5.1. Capacity building of the local NGO’s and GEPA MU………….. 78 4.5.1. 1. Training ……………………………………………………………. 79 4.5.1.2. Technical support…………………………………………………… 80 4.5.2.3. Analysis the GEPA’s staff capabilities……………………………... 80 4.5.3. Empowering the local community of GEPA…………………………. 81 4.5.3.1. Strengthening the local community organizations …………………. 81 6 Final Project report 4.5.3.2. Biodiversity conservation and community livelihood in GE……….. 82 4.5.3.2.1. Development a traditional handicrafts…………………………… 82 4.6. Communication, Education and Public awareness …………………… 85 4.6.1. D-MAP Project logo design ………………………………………….. 85 4.6.2. Public awareness and education ……………………………………… 86 4.6.2.1. Local awareness…………………………………………………….. 86 4.6.2.1.1. Public awareness among the local community……………………. 86 4.6.2.1.2. Public awareness for local schools ……………………………….. 86 4.6.2.1.3 Public awareness for local decisions makers……………………. 87 4.6.2.1.4. Environmental Educational and public awareness materials……… 89 4.6.3. National and international publicity…………………………………... 93 4.6.4. Communication, collaboration and partnership ……………………… 94 Communication and collaboration…………………………………………… 94 Communication and policy………………………………………………….. 95 Communication and funding………………………………………………… 95 4.7. Support the National Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation………….. 96 4.7.1. Linking the project with GEPA first Management Plan………………. 96 4.7.2. Contributions of the project in support the national plans …………… 96 4.7.3. Contribution in prepare the national Conservation Strategy for Plants within the Egyptian Protected Areas Network ……………………………… 96 5. Fifth Part: Lesson learned and Recommendations………………………... 97 References……………………………………………………………………. 101 Appendices…………………………………………………………………… 102 Project financial and expenditures…………………………………………… 105 7 Final Project report 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