Situado al noroeste del Océano Índico, cerca del golfo de Adén, este archipiélago integrado por cuatro islas y dos islotes rocosos se halla a 250 km de la costa africana y parece prolongar el llamado “Cuerno de África”. El sitio es excepcional por la gran riqueza y diversidad de su flora y fauna, así como por el elevado índice de endemismo de éstas. En efecto, el 37% de sus 825 especies de plantas, el 90% de los reptiles y el 95% de los caracoles terrestres no se dan en ninguna otra parte del mundo. El archipiélago alberga, además, importantes poblaciones de aves terrestres y marinas de importancia mundial. De las 192 variedades de pájaros existentes, 44 se reproducen en las islas y 85 son especies migratorias regulares. Algunas de ellas se hallan en peligro de extinción. La biodiversidad marina del sitio es también considerable, ya que cuenta con 253 especies de corales constructores de arrecifes, 730 especies de peces costeros y 300 variedades de langostas, cangrejos y camarones.

Valor universal excepcional en inglés

Values Socotra is globally important for biodiversity conservation because of its exceptionally rich and distinct flora and fauna. 37% of Socotra’s plant species, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in the world. Socotra is of particular importance to the Horn of Africa’s biodiversity hotspot and, as one of the most biodiversity rich and distinct islands in the world, has been termed the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean”. Criterion (x): Biological diversity and threatened species: Socotra is globally important for biodiversity conservation because of its exceptional level of biodiversity and endemism in many terrestrial and marine groups of organisms. Socotra is particularly important for its diversity of plants and has 825 plant species of which 307 (37%) are endemic. Socotra has high importance for bird species as underlined by the identification by Birdlife International of 22 Important Bird Areas on Socotra. Socotra also supports globally significant populations of other land and sea birds, including a number of threatened species. Extremely high levels of endemism occur in Socotra’s reptiles (34 species, 90% endemism) and land snails (96 species, 95% endemism). The marine life of Socotra is also very diverse, with 253 species of reef-building corals, 730 species of coastal fish and 300 species of crab, lobster and shrimp, and well represented in the property’s marine areas. Integrity The property is of sufficient size to adequately represent all the terrestrial and marine features and processes that are essential for the long term conservation of the archipelago’s rich and distinct biodiversity. The terrestrial nature sanctuaries, national parks and areas of special botanical interest included in the property encompass about 75% of the total land area. They protect all the major vegetation types, areas of high floral and faunal values, and important bird areas. The marine nature sanctuaries included in the property encompass the most important elements of marine biodiversity. The property’s integrity is further enhanced by terrestrial and marine buffer zones that are not part of the inscribed property. Requirements for Protection and Management All component areas of the property have legal protection; however there is a need to strengthen the legislative framework, and management and enforcement capacity. Whilst the property’s terrestrial and marine habitats are generally still in good condition, management planning needs to deal more effectively with current threats including roading, overgrazing and overharvesting of terrestrial and marine natural resources. Potential future threats include unsustainable tourism and invasive species. Impacts of these threats on Socotra’s biodiversity need to be closely monitored and minimized. A sustainable financing strategy is required to ensure the necessary human and financial resources for the long term management of the property. Appropriate linkages need to be developed between the management of the property, its buffer zones and the Socotra Biosphere Reserve.