Population Status and Resin Quality of Frankincense "Boswellia neglecta" (Burseraceae) Growing in South Omo, Southwestern Ethiopia

Master's Thesis from the year 2018 in the subject Forestry / Forestry Economics, grade: Excellent, , language: English, abstract: Boswellia neglecta is a small tree that produces commercially important oleo-resin known as frankincense. This frankincense has been used for varied purposes, and it is a source of income for rural households in southern and south-eastern Ethiopia. The study was carried out in dry lands of Bena-Tsemay Woreda in South Omo, South Western Ethiopia aimed to assess the population status of Boswellia neglecta and to test its resin quality. A total of 45 sample quadrats, measuring 1600m2 each and 300m apart had been laid out by using systematic sampling techniques. Quadrats were distributed in east-west compass directions along established transect lines located at approximately 500m from each other. In each quadrat, vegetation data such as identity, DBH, height, and counting of seedlings and saplings were made. To test the resin quality, sample was collected from systematically assigned matured trees in the study area. The status of populations of B. neglecta and other woody species in the study area were examined by estimating density, abundance, frequency, dominance, and importance value index and population structure. The physicochemical analysis of the resin: moisture, ash, pH, N content, optical rotation and essential oil extraction were determined using standard laboratory procedures.