Milafu (Boswellia ogadensis) Case Study

Home > Biodiversity Nature & People > Conservation Philanthropy > Grants > MBZF Grant 210528269

MBZF Grant 210528269
Plant

Continent: Africa

Country: Ethiopia

Grant Amount: $4,915

Awarded Date: February 05, 2022

Population Survey and Conservation of Boswellia ogadensis, a Lost Species of Critically Endangered Frankincense Tree

Population Survey and Conservation of Boswellia ogadensis, a Lost Species of Critically Endangered Frankincense Tree.

Our objectives are: 1. Re-locate B. ogadensis and survey its current status within its known range. We will accomplish this by intensively surveying its three known recorded locations, and then surveying along its likely habitat (the limestone/gypsum hills between Gode and the border with Somalia). 2. Map the locations of individual trees for monitoring and ongoing seed collection in the future. We will record GPS locations, photos, and status of each of the trees. We will also record diameter at breast height, basal diameter, height, phenology, and any evidence of use (such as cut branches). 3. Assess current levels of regeneration and collect seeds (as possible) for propagation in the nursery at the Somali Region Pastoral & Agro-Pastoral Research Institute (SORPARI). 4. Assess current threats based on observations (grazing pressure, cut branches, evidence of fire, etc.) and interviews with local people. We will use these interviews to assess local knowledge of the tree (abundance, range, perception of conservation status, etc.), whether it is used locally for fodder, firewood, resin, etc, and what land management and use practices currently exist and how they may be affecting the tree. 5. Establish a targeted conservation action plan based on gathered data.

MBZF Grant 210528269 - located in Ethiopia, Africa