BOSWELLIA PAPYRIFERA: a key dryland tropical species in northern Ethiopia. Kindeya G., R. Mitlöhner, B.Muys, Mitiku H

Transcription

1 BOSWELLIA PAPYRIFERA: a key dryland tropical species in northern Ethiopia By Kindeya G., R. Mitlöhner, B.Muys, Mitiku H

2 Ethiopia is located in Eastern Africa with a varied topography and climate Unique habitats 12% of the species are endemic Over 144,000 ha of forest is destroyed per annum INTRODUCTION

3 2 million ha is now irreversibly barren Negative effects on: Land productivity availability of forest products Biodiversity and Economy and Tourism industry Consequences Most important cause: Human interference

4

5

6

7

8 Boswellia papyrifera Del (Hochst) Ecologically and economically important woody species Better known for its frankincense production BUT now in an endangered state This paper presents: Economic importance of B.papyrifera Techniques of harvesting and grading frankincense Its current population status Regeneration pattern Efforts in rehabilitating the species

9 Family: Bruceraceae Resin in the bark Aromatic oil or resins Deciduous tree up to 12 m Rounded crown and straight bole

10 Bark: White to brown peels off in large flakes

11 Leaves: Compound 11 to 29 leaflets

12 Flowers: Monocious sweet scented

13 Fruits: Red capsules 3 tapered seeds.

14 Distribution: in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Sudan, Uganda and Eritrea

15 MATERIALS AND METHODS Tigray: Northen Ethiopia

16 Climatic diagram of Abiy-Adi in northern Ethiopia Abiy-Adi (1550 m. NH) [15-16] C 22.3 C mm mm Temp Rainfall J F M A M J J A S O N D Months

17 RESULTS AND DISCUSIONS B.papyrifera: an important industrial species in Ethiopia International trade: Exported to EU, Middle East. Japan and China But inconsistent supply and grades and Uses in the international market: Burnt in churches, Oil extract in a number of modern perfumery, Traditional medicine, Pharmaceuticals, Fumigation powders, and Varnishes, adhesives, painting, and chewing gum Food industry

18 Frankincense export from Ethiopia ( ; ) 2000 Frankincence, metric ton Years

19 Domestic sales of frankincense from in Ethiopia Metric tons Years

20 EMPLOYMENT GENERATION Off farm employment for 20,000 to 30,000 farmers quintals of incense (US $ 100 to 150) can be collected per annum per person 31% of these involved are women Women recieve US$ 16 per month WOOD PRODUCTS Fencing, implements and furniture. TRADITIONAL MEDICINE Bark is chewed to treat stomach disturbances. Incense: - as a mosquito repellent in the tropics - chewed by lowlanders to prevent or quench thirst - was once used to treat leprosy in China

21 Livestock feed and Bee fodder: Produces leaves and flowers at times of drought. Longer flowering period Boosts honey production. Leaves and seeds are good fodder The succulent stem is used as feed

22

23

24 ENVIRONMENTAL ROLE Grows in dry, rocky and steepy (30-40%) sites Provides plant cover and produces higher biomass.

25

26 TAPPING AND HARVESTING OF FRANKINCENSE Tapping from Sept. to June times per year per tree Shave thin (1 mm) layer of bark At 15-20cm interval from 0.5m height Four sides for DBH>30 cm and two sides for DBH of cm Collection after 2 to 3 weeks of tapping. 1-3 kg of incense per year. 3-5 years of resting after 4-5 years of tapping.

27

28

29 Incense grades Five grades of frankincense exist in Ethiopia 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th

30 POTENTIAL FRANKINCENSE PRODUCTION IN ETHIOPIA B.papyrifera grows in Tigray and the Amhara Up to 332,562 ha in Tigray > 21,596 tons of incense (potential in Tigray). 604,000 ha in Amhara (includes gums) >2 million quintals (potential) Annual production: tonnes. Other Boswellia spp. exist in Somali, Benshangul-Gumuz, Southern and Oromiya regions

31 TREE POPULATION CHANGE- THE CASE OF TIGRAY Grows in 5147 ha and 327,415 ha in central and in western zones of Tigray Decline of B.papyrifera population In late 1970 s, about 510,000 ha More than 177,438 ha destroyed in the last 20 years More than 76% of the existing trees are greater than 30 cm DBH. B.papyrifera is listed by TRAFFIC as endangered

32 B.papyrifera forest in western Tigray District B.papyrifera forest(ha) Average density Proportion of trees >30 cm diam. Kafta Humera ,7823 0,7485 Tselemiti ,23 0,7778 Tahtay Adiabo ,66 0,7667 Asigede Tsimibila ,0967 0,7727 Tsegede ,72 0,7485 Welkayt ,66 0,7667 Total ,1915 0,7569

33 Vegetation composition in Central Tigray, northern Ethiopia Tree species Density/ ha Total density per ha Seedlings Trees with diameter > 10 cm Acacia etbaica Lannea fruiticosa Cassia singuena Acacia tortilis Acacia nubica Acacia ploycantha Ozoroa insignis Terminalia brownii Boswellia papyrifera Combretum molle Total

34 FACTORS FOR THE DECLINE OF B.PAPYRIFERA POPULATION Extensive farming Unregulated overgrazing Improper incense tapping practices Termite and other insect infestation Wind damage

35 REFORESTATION EFFORTS THROUGH AREA ENCLOSURES AND PLANTATIONS 1. Enclosures from human and livestock interfernce

36 2. Planting: cuttings and seedlings

37 The number of seedlings in enclosed (Site I and II) and open sites (Site III and IV) Sites Mean number of B.paprifera seedlings per ha July, 2001 October, 2001 January, 2001 Site I (a) (a) (a) Site II (a) (a) (a) Site III (b) (b) (b) Site IV (b) (b) (b)

38 No. of B.papyrifera germinants per ha enclosed site 1 enclosed site 2 open site 3 open site 4 Jul, 2001 Oct, 2001 Jan, 2002 Measurement Time

39 Planting seedlings and cuttings Success is so far limited. Survival rate in 1999, 4.5% in 2000, 8.7% Some reasons for failure Limited knowledge in. Seed and cutting collection Nursery practices, Poor choice of sites Lack of post-planting care. Very small seedlings (10 cm) Browsing and fire

40 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS B.papyrifera is an important species Serious efforts in the rehabilitation of B. papyrifera are essential. Enclosures enahnce natural regeneration. Livestock browsing is a major factor for lack of natural regeneration Promotion of cut and carry system To promote plantations, more silvicultural work is essential. Improvements in tapping and harvesting techniques

41 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The German Academic Exchanges Services (DAAD) George August University of Göttingen (Germany) Mekelle University (Ethiopia) K.U. Leuven (Belgium) VLIR (Belgium)