Socotra 2000Czech developmental cooperation [Archives:2005/803/Last Page]
January 3 2005
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Representatives of EPA MOWE, University of Sanaa – Faculty of Science, Czech Embassy and other guests took part in it.
The Czech team was represented by following experts: ecologists and zoologists Prof. V. Bejcek and Prof. K. Stastny, geologist Prof. F. Fediuk and coordinator of the project Ing. B. Prazan.
The Czech government gave by the Czech Project Socotra 2000 starting in 1999 the help realized on Socotra in spheres ecology, ecotourism, education, biodiversity and after prolongation of the projest also in water management, liquidation and recyclation of waste waters. This help was realized by delivering two pilot waste water treatment plants (WWTP) for the complex EPA Socotra Branch and for new Hospital 22nd May in Hadibo.
In the frames of the activities Education the Cezch team created the Permanent Exhibition -Nature of Socotra”. This exhibition is placed in two rooms of the Environmental Education Centre in the buiding of EPA Socotra Branch in Hadibo. It is the first small museum not only on Socotra but in whole Republic of Yemen. 26 showcases are full of a lot of snaps nad 3D exhibits (birds and insects).
This exhibition demonstrates the interests of the government of the Republic of Yemen in the protection of Socotra as the important world nature haritage. It serves for educational reasons not only for childern, but also for adults.
In the frame of ecological net 7 invertebrate species were published for science as a new, other 17 species are waiting to be described against as a new for world science. The Czech team recorded the first time 4 new bird species: Darter, Hering Gull, Armenian Gull and Tuffted Duck. Bird are often used for bioindication of the environment.
Therefore bird communities were studied in 34 habitat types. The highest species diversity and population density were in bird communities inhabiting various types of forest habitats.
These communities are characterized by the high proportion of endemic species and subspecies.
On the other hand considerable simplification occurs in types of environment permanently disturbed by anthopogenic influences-especially overgrazed areas. Migrating and wintering species are usual components of these areas.
We created the maps of breeding bird distributions on Socotra (in quadrate grid 10 by 10 km) and also the maps of migrating and wintering species.
All zoological results will be published in the journal -Fauna of Arabia”.
17 ecoroutes in the most interesting parts of Socotra Island were created. Their orientation is created by the points according to the GPS. They are supplemented by the way of movement, description of itinerary, nature rarities, timetable, strenousness, and photodocumentation.
10 wetlands were suggested for the protection according to special criterias by Ramsar convention. They are unique ecosystems which host characteristic flora and fauna and serve as important sources of freshwater.
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