Regeneration status , soil seed bank and socio-economic importance of Boswellia papyrifera (Del.) Hoschst. In two woredas of North Gondar zone, Northern Ethiopia

Boswellia papyrifera (Del.) Hoschst is a deciduous tree species found in the Broad-leaved Deciduous woodlands of Ethiopia. It dominantly occupies hilly and steep rocky areas. The tree is one of the most economically important indigenous tree species in the country. It yields Ethiopian frankincense when its stem is tapped. the Boswellia stands cover an area of 419,246 ha in North Gondar Zone with the estimated potential incense production of 117, 261 tonnes per year whereas the maximum actural incense production was 720.5 tonnes per year in 2001 by two organizations. However, less is documented on the biology and socio-economic importance of the species particularly in the Amhara Region.A study was made at Lemlem Terara (Metema woreda) and Kisha (Tegede Armachiho woreda) of North Gondar Zone to assess the current regeneration status, the presence of soil seed reserves and to investigate the actual and potential socio-economic importance of Boswellia for the local communities.To investigate the regeneration status and soil seed band of boswellia, a total of 60 quadrats (20 x20 m2) were laid out along the transect lines covering an area of 1.2 ha at Lemlem Terara and 1.24 ha at Kisha site. Five pits were dug for soil seed bank samples were taken under 10-selected tree canopies (at Lemlem Terara) to see if seeds are restricted in dispersal close to mother trees. For the socio-economy survey, 44 households were randomly selected and interviewed.The density of Boswellia was 175 stems/ha at Lemlem Terara and 87 stems/ha at Kisha. In terms of density, it ranked first at Lemlem Terara and fourth at Kisha. The diameter and height class distributions at the two sites showed a deviation from the reversed-J shape indicating that the regeneration of Boswellia is severely threatened/limited. No seeds of Boswellia were recovered from any of the soil seed bank samples. Continuous burning, overgrazing, land clearing for farming and insect infestation were the major threats for the degradation of Boswellia stands. The actual socio-economic importance of the tree was minimal and limited to its traditional use and no one in the village was involved in the collection and processing of frankincense. Nevertheless, it had created an employment opportunity annually for about 1,300 daily labourers coming from the Tigray region at North Gonder Zone and generated income for the government. The tapping technique was primitive/traditional and despite the large area coverage and large incense production capacity of the vegetation, the potential appears less utilized particularly by the local community. Recommendations are listed for a more sustainable utilization of the Boswellia stands.