Empowering local community‐GIS in Egypt: case study for use Google Earth as community based‐conservation tool in Gabel Elba Protected Area (GEPA), Egypt Usama Mohammed ([email protected]) Ali Dora ([email protected]) Gabel Elba Protected Area, Egypt, red sea, shalateen Conserving mountain biodiversity and its indigenous tribe’s cultural diversity is hard mission especially when combine with community’s seeking for modern technologies especially their new generation which they has been lost their traditional knowledge on seeking more new easiest technologies and at end they lost the last rapport with their mother land. And depending on this there is urgent need for combining the TK and mapping technologies for more linking the communities with their biodiversity. For that we worked with the indigenous tribes in Elba Mountain protected area on focus on the globally endangered Dracaena ombet tree in Gabel Elba, which their subpopulations on Gabel Elba in Egypt are particularly threatened and there is urgent need for conservation initiative for D.ombet in Egypt, because a lack of data about the population status has made it impossible to carry out effective conservation activities for D.ombet in GEPA, this to integrated and combining their TK about the endangered Dracaena ombet with the modern technologies mapping, now in GE we have many community members can using Google Earth, global positioning system (GPS) and other mapping and tracking technologies to monitor and protect their endangered tree D.ombet combining and linking with their traditional knowledge of the mountains, which as results for this 12 populations we rediscovered and their conservation action plan preparing for more ongoing conservation action. This initiative supported and funded by CLP as part of the future conservation award which directed towards the Dracaena Monitoring and Assessment Project in GEPA. Introduction Study area: The area of the program falls within Egypt’s largest and most important protected area, the Elba Protected Area (PA), which encompasses some 35 600 km2. It contains an enormous variety of habitats and landscape features, ranging from coral reefs to mountain habitats, and supports a rich flora and fauna. There are at least 27 species of mammals, 38 species of reptiles and amphibians, and some 60 species of breeding birds. Furthermore, the region is situated on internationally important migration routes for soaring birds, in particular for birds of prey. One of the most prominent features of the area is Gebel Elba (Elba Mountain). Due its closeness to the sea and its interception of moisture‐laden north‐east winds, Gabel Elba enjoys a higher precipitation than other Red Sea Mountains. The summit is a “mist oasis” where much of the precipitation is contributed in the form of dew, mist and clouds, creating a unique and rare ecosystem not found anywhere else in the country. Indeed, Gabel Elba is a “biodiversity hotspot”, with a biological diversity unparalleled in any other terrestrial environment in Egypt. The relative abundance of moisture supports a diverse flora of some 458 plant species – almost 25% of plant species recorded for the entire country. Many Afrotropical elements have their northern limits at Gebel Elba, and the dense cover of acacias and other scrubs represents the only natural woodland in Egypt. Local community: GEPA inhabits by a sedentary to semi‐nomadic peoples of Hamatic descent speaking an unwritten language, “Beja” and named the Bisharia. The Bisharia occupy the southern sections of the PA including the vicinity of Gabel Elba. Populations in the park are subject to continuous fluctuations and movements dependent upon the seasonal availability of rangeland, including movements between Egypt and Sudan The main socio‐economic activities of the local tribes are livestock herding and charcoal production. There is some limited trade in other natural products, such as honey and wild plants sold as remedial medicines, as well as handicrafts Methodologies and the implemented principles For achieve our aim and taken in consideration the little educational level for local people we worked and combined many protocols which including: • GIS‐Mapping and tree tagging : We used Google earth software and the available high satellite maps by this program, Etrex GPS used for geographic positioning system, local people tracked the trees, which each tree tagged with specific number and detected by GPS, they trained to use GPS and recording the points for each dracaena ombet tree, which rangers help them to transfer it into coordination into the Google earth project database. Google earth data base (KMZ) files, contain referenced point for each tree, with full information about its status information. • Rural Participatory Appraisal protocol: this techniques used for gathering TK about the endangered species and towards support the community for documenting and preserving their TK about this species. • Researches Action Participation Protocols as targeting for empowering local people and support their role in monitoring and conservation GE biodiversity especially the endangered species, members from local people participated in a Para‐professional filed training. This training conducted in August as part of the pilot survey carried out in GE, this included on‐job training on some required and simple filed skills for using GPS, Photography and using a filed techniques for measures the plants community structure and assess it healthy status capabilities to lead monitoring, Assessment &conservation activities inside GEPA during Dracaena‐MAP project activities and for ongoing similar activities, also local people has been participate as a associated researchers and team members during the related filed and community work. • Participatory eco‐geographical D.ombet distribution mapping: Before starting a filed work we conducted a simple eco‐geographical exercise ‘’ for ensuring coverage all the distribution range of dracaena in the same time to integrate the available data about D.ombet distribution with a gathered TK form community guides. During this exercise we worked together for screening the GE topographic map (1:50000), which divided it into four main sub‐regions (study sites).as results for a discussion and a participatory analysis we get a good information about a potential distribution range of D.ombet inside GE area. The gathered information form this exercise inputted into the project GIS data base Local community member during the filed training, trained on photography • Grid technique: The grid techniques used for calculation the area of occupancy and Extent of Occurrence for the endangered species, which the area map divided into 10 seconds grids, also the Google Earth software grid option used which local people been adapted with it for understanding this technique. Data structure and Meta data: For more effective data, and quality control of our collected data, we designed a database for the project monitoring program results, all data inputted directly in computer, arranged into related and well labeled files. For this a Metadata guide prepared for standardization, better arrangement, stored and accessibility for the information and the sustaining availability of well referenced data on long term. As figure shown label for the detected tree which included the species name, area name, Grid No, Photo No and file extension. Example for the restored data in the project data base: which each population/area have special tables with its records. Results: • A ‐ Participatory eco‐geographical D.ombet distribution mapping: The gathered information form this exercise inputted into the project GIS data base, with partctiaption of local community we mapped 10 potential dracaena ombet population distribution areas which linked to a GIS‐GE elevation map. This map shows that D.ombet found inside 6 main regions (Yahmbe‐Akwamtei, Aedieb, and Aedieb hills, Tawela‐Akaw, Ashtet‐Aretri and Shendieb Area). In general we found that D.ombet among these areas can be found inside Two mountains missives (Elba Mountain and Shendeib Mountain). Which its distribution range restricted on mountainous slopes of the following Wades: 1‐ Wade Marfay 2‐ W. Akwamtei 3‐ W. Aedieb 4‐ W. Tawela 5‐ W. Akaw 6‐ W. Ashtet 7‐ W. Aretri 8‐ Shendieb Mountain 9‐ Aghway 10‐ Darwina‐Teoit For more understanding for local people perspectives about D.ombet and its distribution, we conducted more deeply sessions, related for this exercise, which includes discussions about the degree of distribution or a population size and the approximately tree numbers for each population inside each Wade or region. Map 1, GE area and D.ombet distribution These results given us first step for understanding the dracaena distribution and also for arrange a good suitable filed logistics and methodology. Map 1 shows a 10 seconds grids‐divided map, as results for analyses these data using GIS techniques. This map shown results of D.ombet distribution/populations size index inside GE area; we ranked D.ombet population depending on its primary population size as it’s gathered from local people knowledge, rank values form 1 to 10, which 1 equal for a greater tree numbers for a minor grid (10 sec), 10 refer for zero tree number. We trying as soon as to prepare a proximately distribution but the main objective for these exercise to learn together ‘’How’’ we can and ‘’what’’ the benefit of involved and integrated the local community traditional knowledge into our consideration and matched it with GIS techniques B ‐ Tree tagging and tracking processes and results: High resolution maps using Google Earth shown Camerba Mountain in GE including high abundance for D.ombet trees As very important part of our project and survey phase is to tagging the trees of D.ombet, this for assuring a precise identification for each tree, with it GPS location, healty status and ID No. the tagging processes has been completed for the first phase during the period from September to bovember 2007, which 398 tree has tracked, tagged and recorded. For tree tagging, we used aluminum made metal signs, which each tree tagged with a unique number, using the aluminum wires for fixing the tags signs around the trees trunks. Tagging processes carried out only for the a live trees, which the aluminum tags taken a number series from 1‐200, while died trees marked directly using a clothes straps which marker using a marker‐pen which for each died tree, we used another number series for died tree tagging. Each tree status recorded and attached with its GPS location and inputeed into the Project databases ( Access Data base and also another database based on Google Earth mapping program with KML extension) Google Earth tree records database and maps Local community participation in the tree tagging and survey C ‐ Dracaena ombet population survey results: figure shown google earth map shows D.ombet populations location in GE , population’s status and trend. D ‐ Populations’ Area of Occupancy (AOO) and Extent of Occurrence (EOO): D – 1 – D.ombet’s Extent of Occurrence (EOO) in Egypt: Depending on the IUCN (IUCN 2001), Extent of occurrence is defined as the area contained within the shortest continuous imaginary boundary which can be drawn to encompass all the known, inferred or projected sites of present occurrence of a taxon, excluding cases of vagrancy. Extent of occurrence can often be measured by a minimum convex polygon (the smallest polygon in which no internal angle exceeds 180 degrees and which contains all the sites of occurrence). As result for the population survey and mapping activities, we measured the current EOO for the dracaena ombe’s sub‐populations in GE, which for this we calculate this area in two stages: 1‐ in case of excluding the cases of vagrancy populations, this mean we including all the closed populations, only excluded Shendieb mountain’s population which is far more than 20 km from the whole other populations, this return for ,that depending on the populations distribution mapping results, all the population have distance between them not more than 3‐5 km. For that and as maps 5,6 shown, the EOO for D.ombet’s populations is equal and came among 23.8 sq km, which represents about 15.87% of the whole Gabel Elba mountain total area (= 150 sq km), and 0.066% of the total area of Elba Protected Area (= 36000 sq km). Figure shown google earth map shown extent of occurrence for D.ombet in GE for case 1 2‐ in case of including all the cases of vagrancy and the closest populations, this mean we including all the populations including Shendieb mountain’s population. For that and as maps 7,8 shown, the EOO for D.ombet’s populations is equal and came among 116.2 sq km, which represents about 23.24% of the whole Gabel Elba massive total area (= 500 sq km), and 0.32% of the total area of Elba Protected Area (= 36000 sq km). Figures shown extent of occurrence for D.ombet in GE for case 2 D – 2 ‐ Area of Occupancy (AOO) Area of occupancy is defined as the area within its 'extent of occurrence' (see above) which is occupied by a taxon, excluding cases of vagrancy. The measure reflects the fact that a taxon will not usually occur throughout the area of its extent of occurrence, which may contain unsuitable or unoccupied habitats (IUCN 2001). The size of the area of occupancy will be a function of the scale at which it is measured, which here for accurate AOO estimation, we need more accurate mapping scale, which should be at a scale appropriate to relevant biological aspects of the species, the nature of threats and the comprehensiveness of the available data. Thus to avoid bias and to estimate a relevant AOO, we need to estimating area of occupancy at different scales. For that in case of D.ombet populations’ available data, and based on the resulted distribution map, which we recorded and mapped each tree based on its geographical location point, we measured the AOO using a Grid technique, which the distribution map for the species divided into equal grids depending on the used scale. we used 5 different scales/Grids system: at 1km, 0.5km, 0.25km, 50m, 10m grid. Which given squared areas 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.05, 0.01 sq km respectively. Figures shown some of the used grids system for estimate AOO for D.ombet (50m , 1 km) Table 5 shown the results of AOO using different scales/grids: GRID GRID AREA sq km 1km 0.5 km 0.25km 50m 10m 1 0.5 0.25 0.05 0.01 Occupied Area Area Grids No sq sq Area Area Grids Area sq (OGN) km OGN km OGN sq km OGN sq km No km W.GHWAY 1 1 1 0.25 2 0.125 11 0.0275 19 0.0019 W.MARFAY 1 1 4 1 7 0.4375 29 0.0725 53 0.0053 W. ASHTET 4 4 4 1 4 0.25 13 0.0325 24 0.0024 W. DRWAINA 1 1 2 0.5 2 0.125 8 0.02 15 0.0015 W. AKAW 1 1 3 0.75 3 0.1875
7 0.0175 10 0.0010 W. AEDEIB 2 2 3 0.75 2 0.125 6 0.015 11 0.0011 ADB HILLS 1 1 1 0.25 1 0.0625
1 0.0025 1 0.0001 W.TAWELLA 4 4 6 1.5 9 0.5625 25 0.0625 46 0.0046 W. ARTRI 2 2 3 0.75 6 0.375 27 0.0675 50 0.0050 17 17 27 6.75 36 2.25 127 0.3175 229 0.0229 As this table shown, there is a different estimated AOO for the same population at the different scales; this return for the used Grid/scale which at small grid/scale reveals more areas in which the taxon is unrecorded. Conversely, coarse‐scale mapping/large grid reveals fewer unoccupied areas, resulting in over‐estimation that is more likely to be or accept. Which here at using a 1 km grid, we can found as example, W.Shetet population which equal 30 tree occupied large area (4 grids = 4 sq km), more than for W.Artri with more than 164 tree (2 grid = 2 sq km). While at fine scale, 0.25 km grid, we can found that W.Shetet’s population occupied also 4 grids= 0.25 sq km, and W.Artri occupied 6 grids= 0.375 sq km. at the finer scale 10 m grid, we can see the more accurate estimation for AOO, which at this sacle, W.Shetet’s population occupied also 24 grids= 0.0024 sq km, while W. Artri occupied 50 grids= 0.0050 sq km. As we used the finer scale as we can get results reflects the facts on ground, and can used for assessment the status of the threatened species. These results indicates that D.ombet population occupied about 2.25 sq km at 0.25 grid scale this represents about 0.0063% of the total EPA area, 1.5% of total GE mountain massive area and 13.64% of the suitable GE’s habitats for D.ombet. While at 10m grid scale, 0.01 sq km grid, D.ombet populations occupied about 0.0229 sq km, this represents about 0.000064% of the total EPA area, 0.0153% of total GE mountain massive area and 0.139% of the suitable GE’s habitats for D.ombet. E – D.ombet Population age structure: Figure 3 shown the general age structure for the dracaena ombet trees in GE as results for the current survey, as this figure shown there is a bad age structure for all the dracaena ombet populations in GE, which there is no recent new generation only a small numbers of young trees has detected, the latest detected DBH is 25 cm in diameter, only 5 trees recorded from 25‐50 cm in DBH. graph for the size classes of the D.ombet population in Gabel Elba Most of the population concentrated between 70 to 125 in DBH, with small reasonable numbers of tree from 50‐ 70, while there is fluctuation in number of tree more than 125 in DBH. This may be return and indicate to: - the effect of current drought from more than 15 years in GE - the high mortality portion for the old tree more than 125 in DBH - new regeneration among the last 3‐5 years it is seem completely absent - The age structure curve may be refer to a rapidly decline for the populations in GE. Conclusion Working with local people help researchers to achieve there goals, not only for complete their research but also for assuring getting a full data and certain information from fled. Dracaena ombet was chosen to study, because this plant is threatened by drought, overgrazing, over‐cutting and invasive species within GEPA, also during the last ten years there is extremely change in a traditional conservation system inside GEPA, which was protected this plant and a whole ecosystem for long time ago. We urgently need to produce a baseline ecological assessment; and to understand, document and re‐life a traditional knowledge. Without this baseline and without participation local community in analysis and explore a solutions for this problem, this plant soon could completely vanished from GE as was happened in Erkowit region in Sudan. In out case as we worked with local people as part of the dracaena ombet monitoring and assessment project which funded by conservation leadership program, we learned a lot from them in the same time we want to left some thin behind us can contribute in capacity building of their communities in filed of biodiversity conservation. Our survey and project results can be sustain and implemented for long term as we assured a direct participation for community with us from the project planning to implementation. References and bibliographies WMC 1998. Dracaena ombet. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. [10 November 2007]. El Azzouni, M. 2003. Conserving Dracaena ombet, Egypt's Dragon Tree. PlantTalk 34: 38‐
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