Exploring the historical distribution of Dracaena cinnabari using ethnobotanical knowledge on Socotra Island, Yemen

Abstract

Background In this study, we present and analyze toponyms referring to Socotra Island’s endemic dragon’s blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) in four areas on the Socotra Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage site (Republic of Yemen). The motivation is the understanding of the past distribution of D. cinnabari trees which is an important part of conservation efforts by using ethnobotanical data. We assumed that dragon’s blood trees had a wider distribution on Socotra Island in the past. Methods This research was based on field surveys and interviews with the indigenous people. The place names (toponyms) were recorded in both Arabic and the indigenous Socotri language. We grouped all toponyms into five different categories according to the main descriptor: terrain, human, plant, water, and NA (unknown). Also, this study identified current and historical Arabic names of dragon’s blood trees of the genus Dracaena through literature review. Results A total of 301 toponyms were recorded from the four study areas in Socotra Island. Among names related to plants, we could attribute toponyms to nine different plants species, of which six toponyms referred to the D. cinnabari tree, representing 14.63% of the total phytotoponyms in the category. Three historical naming periods prior to 2000 could be identified. The most commonly used name for dragon’s blood trees (D. cinnabari, D. serrulata, D. ombet) appears to be “ahrieb” “إعريهب” and its resin “dum al-akhawin” “دم الأخوين,” while derived (mixed-cooked) products are called “eda’a” “إيدع,” while regionally different names can be found. Conclusion The place names that refer to D. cinnabari are herein suggested to represent remnant areas of once large populations. Therefore, the toponyms may support known hypotheses based on climate models that D. cinnabari had a wider distribution on Socotra Island in the past. This study also confirmed the historical importance of dragon’s blood.

Identifying Suitable Restoration and Conservation Areas for Dracaena cinnabari Balf.f. in Socotra, Yemen

“…Using niche modelling, Attorre et al [13] developed a first model of the potential distribution of this species, which extends far beyond its current distribution. Some areas currently without these trees are areas of potential previous occurrence according to a survey using phytotoponyms [56]. Our model of the potential distribution of Dracaena on Socotra shows a relatively smaller area than the first one published by Attorre et al [13], possibly due to the input of different and updated parameters.…”

“…This is due to the overall physiography of the landscape (mainly steep valleys, gorges, cliffs and the Hageher Mountains), coupled with fewer and more disperse settlements. Based on circumstantial evidence, the forests of Dragon Blood trees in the island were most likely distributed over a substantially larger area in the past [13,56]. The decline of D. cinnabari forests can be attributed to the combination of long-term harvesting of resin [4], rapid growth of the human population on Socotra after the Second World War (resulting in land-use changes), and the effects of current climate change [3,13].…”

Characterization of the Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence of the Socotra Dragon`s Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari Balf.)

“…One of them, Dracaena cinnabari Balf., was already valued in ancient times as it is today. This species is endemic to the Socotra Island in Yemen, where its sap has been harvested for medical and cultural uses since ancient time [3,4]. Individuals of this iconic species play an important role as umbrella trees, vital to the survival of organisms associated with them [5,6].…”

Dracorhodin perchlorate enhances wound healing via β‑catenin, ERK/p38, and AKT signaling in human HaCaT keratinocytes

“…Families of plants with the ability to produce dragon blood can be classified into four different categories: Asparagaceae, Arecaceae, Chamaesyce and Fabaceae (Table I) (2)(3)(4). The earliest record of dragon blood being used for medicine was performed using the plant genus Dracaena in Socotra Island in Yemen (5). Due to being situated in ideal location and the rapid growth rate of the palm tree species Daemonorops draco, dragon blood extracted from this tree became the mainstream product in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) market after the Ming Dynasty in China (6).…”