Evaluating the Potential of Boswellia rivae to Provide Sustainable Livelihood Benefits in Eastern Ethiopia

Frankincense is an oleo-gum-resin collected from wild Boswellia spp. trees, and widely used in perfumery, cosmetics, aromatherapy, incense, other industries. rivae, growing Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, one source of frankincense, but little-commercialized compared to species such as B. sacra, frereana, papyrifera. In this study, we examine the resin essential oil chemistry harvesting systems rivae order evaluate its potential for increased trade positive livelihood benefits. produces rich α-thujene (0.1–12.4%), α-pinene (5.5–56.4%), β-pinene (0.3–13.0%), δ-3-carene (0.1–31.5%), p-cymene (1.4–31.2%), limonene (1.8–37.3%), β-phellandrene (tr-5.6%), trans-pinocarveol (0.1–5.0%), trans-verbenol (0.1–11.2%), trans-β-elemene (0–5.7%), similar major commercial species, although it difficult detect mixing Commiphora africana resins alone. The trees are not actively tapped, so collection has a neutral impact on health production unaffected by drought. Consequently, collecting acts key income supplementing livestock herding, well safety net protecting pastoral communities severe negative effects climate change-exacerbated drought livestock. Therefore, positioned chemically, ecologically, socially support expanded trade.