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PLANT CONSERVATION

Frankincense facing extinction

The conservation of Boswellia papyrifera, a dryland tree from the Horn of Africa and a source of frankincense, conflicts with growing use. A new study finds impending collapse of this iconic tree throughout its range, prioritizing the need to restrict uncontrolled tapping and cattle herding.

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Fig. 1: Dromedary camels browse and stand in the shade of Boswellia papyrifera trees.

Eva November / Raf Aerts

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Correspondence to Bart Muys.

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Muys, B. Frankincense facing extinction. Nat Sustain 2, 665–666 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0355-6

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