Acacia trees on the cultural landscapes of the Red Sea Hills

Abstract

This paper examines interactions between five pastoral nomadic culture groups of the Egyptian and Sudanese Red Sea Hills and the acacia trees Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne subsp. tortilis and subsp. raddiana growing in their arid environments. A. tortilis is described as a keystone species both ecologically and culturally: the trees play such critical roles in ecosystems and social groups that their removal would greatly impact both systems. Interviews in the field with the Semitic, Arabic-speaking Ma'aza and Ababda, and the Cushitic, Beja, Bidhaawyeet-speaking Bishaari, Amar Ar and Hadandawa nomads probed the cultural and ecological contexts of acacias in pastoral nomadism, revealing deep insight into traditional ecological knowledge and traditional perceptions and uses of the trees. The paper describes how this knowledge guides pastoral decision-making, with acacias as a particularly critical component of the pastoral livelihood in both normal and stressful circumstances. A. tortilis is the most important reliable vegetation resource for nomads while also providing fuel and other useful products, ecosystem services for people and animals, and increased biodiversity by providing diverse microhabitats and resources for other species. We describe aspects of kinship, territorial organization, spiritual beliefs and tribal law underlying the significance of trees on the cultural landscape. We discuss environmental and economic challenges to human/tree relationships and to pastoral livelihoods. We challenge views of nomads as agents of ecological destruction, and propose maintenance and restoration of traditional pastoralism as viable alternatives in dryland development.

Seed viability and germination success of Acacia tortilis along land‐use and aridity gradients in the Eastern Sahara

“…The northern areas of the ED, and in particular Ma'aza area, are more affected by sedentarization and abandonment (Hobbs et al. ) although domestic animals still roam there. In parts of RSH, particularly more remote areas, traditional nomadism is still practiced (see Andersen et al.…”

“…; Hobbs et al. ). Current evidence suggests this important species exhibits high mortality and low recruitment, which threatens both regional biodiversity and the livelihoods of people dependent upon it (Ward and Rohner ; Andersen and Krzywinski ).…”

“…This is, however, rapidly changing (Hobbs et al. ). While it has been suggested that domestic animals, particularly camels, are important for the conservation of acacias in the Middle East (Rohner and Ward ), no studies have investigated the relative effect of ovicaprids and camels on bruchid infestation and germination.…”

Metabolite profiling of edible bird's nest using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

“…One of the earliest records which describes the medicinal properties of EBN was the Ben Cao Gang Mu written by Li Shizhen . To date, the consumption of EBN is believed by the Chinese community to be able to bring about effects: dissolving phlegm, relieving gastric troubles, aiding renal functions, raising libido, enhancing complexion, relieving asthma, suppressing cough, curing tuberculosis, curing hematemesis, nourishing the lungs, speeding up recovery after surgery, strengthening the immune system, improving the growth of children, increasing energy and metabolism, and improving concentration . In the last century, many scientists have devoted their efforts to the study of the health effects brought about by the consumption of EBN.…”

Cascading ecological effects from local extirpation of an ecosystem engineer in the Arava desert

“…1). Moreover, it has been demonstrated that gazelles have an important role in the distribution of acacia trees, which are considered keystone flora species in the Arava Valley (Munzbergova and Ward 2002) and in other desert lands (Hobbs et al 2014). It would seem that by eco-engineering the soil for antlions, gazelles also indirectly help in the pollination of acacia trees, and thus help themselves in a two-step non-trophic/trophic fashion (Fig.…”