Subproject E14

Dr. Bruno Mies & Prof. Dr. G. Benno Feige, FB 9, Pflanzenphysiologie / Botanik, Universität GH Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, 45117 Essen, Germany

Ecological causes of biodiversity in paleo-African refugia in the coastal mountains of southern Yemen and on Socotra (Republic of Yemen)

The ecological analyses of the vegetation types aim at morpho-functional adaptations and general patterns concerned with the xerotropical plant cover. These concern especially water economy, phytomass and specific productivity of the vegetation types and aim at determining the influences of edaphic factors to vegetation. The causal explanation of vegetation ecology results in the explanation of the actual desertification facing the thread of habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity. This gives a scientific basis to assist an ecologically sustainable development. An evaluation is aimed at the ecological potential of nature resources and the intensity of human use or exploitation. It reveals the qualification of vegetation types important to an indigenous economy and to the influences on specific degradation states as well as the actual risks for the ecosystems.