Latest news with #Boswelliasacra
Observer
04-05-2025
- Health
- Observer
Study affirms resilience of Oman's frankincense trees
MUSCAT: A landmark scientific study has confirmed that Oman's frankincense trees — renowned for producing an aromatic resin deeply woven into the nation's historical and cultural legacy — do not face widespread decline in the southern reaches of the Sultanate of Oman, despite facing a variety of environmental and human-induced threats. This encouraging discovery stems from the first-ever comprehensive conservation assessment of Boswellia sacra, the botanical name for these iconic trees, in their native mountainous habitats of Dhofar Governorate. The research initiative was led by the Environment Society of Oman (ESO), in collaboration with the Environment Authority, Wageningen University & Research, FairSource Botanicals and Mendel University in Brno. The project received initial funding support from the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in Oman. In a statement, Dr Amor al Matani, President of ESO's Board of Directors, hailed the successful completion of the study as a pivotal step forward. 'ESO's role in driving this landmark study is a testament to its long-standing commitment to safeguarding Oman's frankincense heritage, given the priceless cultural and ecological value associated with this aromatic resin. Our sincere thanks to the Environment Authority and all the international partners who helped bring this initiative to life.' Ali bin Salem Bait Said, Director of the Office for the Conservation of the Environment, at Environment Authority office in Dhofar, said: 'This study has brought together local and international institutions in a first-of-its-kind collaboration to deliver science-based insights into the health of our frankincense populations." These findings are an important step forward to protect frankincense trees not only as a cultural and spiritual symbol of Oman's ancient incense trade, but also as the cornerstone of a thriving domestic industry centred around incense and related products. Of the roughly 24 species in the Boswellia genus worldwide, Boswellia sacra Flück. — a deciduous tree of modest stature — is native to southern Arabia (Oman and Yemen) and Somalia. In Oman, the species is found across Dhofar growing from sea level to elevations as high as 1,774 metres in the mountain ranges. However, the trees are not immune to threats. Overgrazing, particularly by camels, poses one of the most serious risks to sapling survival. Additional challenges include insect infestations, pest attacks, unsustainable resin harvesting, nearby mining activities, and increasingly erratic weather events — all of which can impact tree vitality and regeneration. While the study dispels fears of an imminent population collapse, the researchers caution against complacency. The threats facing Boswellia sacra are complex, varying by location and season, and influenced by ecological, social, and political dynamics. To be effective, conservation strategies must therefore address the full socio-ecological context, the paper emphasises.
Muscat Daily
04-05-2025
- Science
- Muscat Daily
Omani Frankincense trees defy extinction fears
Salalah – A pioneering scientific study has confirmed that Oman's iconic frankincense trees (Boswellia sacra) are not facing widespread decline in the Dhofar Governorate, despite ongoing environmental and human-induced threats. The comprehensive conservation assessment — the first of its kind conducted in the Sultanate — was led by the Environment Society of Oman (ESO) in collaboration with the Environment Authority, Wageningen University & Research, FairSource Botanicals, and Mendel University in Brno. The project was initially supported by the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in Oman. Initiated in 2022, the study examined population dynamics, ecological pressures, and natural regeneration trends of Boswellia sacra across its known range in Dhofar. Published findings reveal that while the trees exhibit variable population structures and regeneration rates, there is no indication of a broad-scale population collapse. These findings represent a significant step forward in efforts to conserve the frankincense tree, a species integral to Oman's cultural heritage and a key pillar of its traditional industries centred on incense and resin-based products. Native to southern Arabia and parts of East Africa, Boswellia sacra Flück. grows across diverse elevations in Dhofar, from sea level to 1,774 metres in the mountain ranges. Of the approximately 24 known species in the Boswellia genus, this particular species is most closely associated with Oman's ancient incense trade. Despite the overall positive outlook, the study acknowledges several ongoing threats to the species. Overgrazing, especially by camels, poses a significant risk to young saplings. Other pressures include pest infestations, unsustainable resin extraction, nearby mining activity, and the increasing unpredictability of climate patterns. While the absence of large-scale decline is encouraging, the researchers stress the importance of continued vigilance. The threats faced by Boswellia sacra are complex, site-specific, and shaped by a range of ecological, social, and political factors. Effective conservation strategies must therefore adopt a holistic, context-sensitive approach. Dr Amor al Matani, President of ESO's Board of Directors, described the study's completion as a milestone for conservation in Oman. 'ESO's leadership in this research underscores our ongoing commitment to protecting the frankincense tree, which holds profound cultural and ecological value for the Sultanate,' she stated, while extending thanks to the Environment Authority and international partners. Ali Bin Salem Bait Said, Director of the Office for the Conservation of the Environment at the Environment Authority in Dhofar, added: 'This collaboration marks an important advance in our understanding of Boswellia sacra. The study demonstrates that generalisations about frankincense tree decline must be approached with caution, as threats and conservation contexts differ significantly by region and species.' The study, titled Rapid conservation assessment of Boswellia sacra in Oman reveals complex threat and population patterns, is available on ScienceDirect. Further research is ongoing, with ESO and its partners committed to supporting informed and sustainable conservation of this culturally significant species.
Observer
04-05-2025
- Science
- Observer
Oman's frankincense trees resilient despite challenges: Study
Muscat: A scientific study has confirmed that Oman's frankincense trees do not face widespread decline in the southern reaches of the Sultanate, despite facing a variety of environmental and human-induced threats. This encouraging discovery stems from the first-ever comprehensive conservation assessment of Boswellia sacra , the botanical name for these iconic trees, in their native mountainous habitats of Dhofar Governorate. The research initiative was led by the Environment Society of Oman (ESO), in collaboration with the Environment Authority, Wageningen University & Research, FairSource Botanicals, and Mendel University in Brno. The project received initial funding support from the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in Oman. Launched in 2022, the study examined the population dynamics, ecological pressures, and natural regeneration patterns of Boswellia sacra across its known distribution in Dhofar. A scientific paper published earlier this year reported that while the trees show diverse population structures and regeneration rates, there is no evidence of a widespread population decline. These findings are an important step forward to protect frankincense trees not only as a cultural and spiritual symbol of Oman's ancient incense trade, but also as the cornerstone of a thriving domestic industry centered around incense and related products. Of the roughly 24 species in the Boswellia genus worldwide, Boswellia sacra Flück. — A deciduous tree of modest stature — is native to southern Arabia (Oman and Yemen) and Somalia. In Oman, the species is found across Dhofar, growing from sea level to elevations as high as 1,774 meters in the mountain ranges. However, the trees are not immune to threats. Overgrazing, particularly by camels, poses one of the most serious risks to sapling survival. Additional challenges include insect infestations, pest attacks, unsustainable resin harvesting, nearby mining activities, and increasingly erratic weather events — all of which can impact tree vitality and regeneration. While the study dispels fears of an imminent population collapse, the researchers caution against complacency. The threats facing Boswellia sacra are complex, varying by location and season, and influenced by ecological, social, and political dynamics. To be effective, conservation strategies must therefore address the full socio-ecological context, the paper emphasizes. In a statement, The Honorable Dr. Amor Al Matani, President of ESO's Board of Directors, hailed the successful completion of the study as a pivotal step forward. 'ESO's role in driving this landmark study is a testament to its long-standing commitment to safeguarding Oman's frankincense heritage, given the priceless cultural and ecological value associated with this aromatic resin. Our sincere thanks to the Environment Authority and all the international partners who helped bring this initiative to life.' Mr. Ali Bin Salem Bait Said, Director of the Office for the Conservation of the Environment, at the Environment Authority office in Dhofar, added: 'This study has brought together local and international institutions in a first-of-its-kind collaboration to deliver science-based insights into the health of our frankincense populations. By challenging widely held assumptions about the species' decline, the study shows that international conservation concerns should recognize differences between frankincense species and between their countries of origin, and the measures taken by each country.'
Observer
26-03-2025
- Science
- Observer
Frankincense trees in good numbers in Dhofar: Study
SALALAH: A scientific study on frankincense trees in Dhofar Governorate has shown that they are present in good numbers in their natural environments, in addition to monitoring a promising plant succession in terms of the presence of new seedlings of the species Boswellia sacra. The study, conducted by the Environment Authority in cooperation with the Environment Society of Oman, covered the geographical and numerical distribution and condition of trees and the main challenges they currently face in Dhofar Governorate. The study revealed that the most prominent threats facing frankincense trees are overgrazing, unsustainable harvesting, mining activities, insect pests and erosion during floods. It is worth mentioning that the Environment Authority and the Environment Society of Oman have been implementing a cooperation programme since 2022 to establish a classification for the species at the national and global levels, in coordination with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Surveys in this field continue annually. - ONA
