Population Status of Boswelia papyrifera dominated woodland in North West Ethiopia

Abstract The three main genera that produce gum and resin in Ethiopia's lowland forests are Acacia, Boswellia, and Commiphora. Boswellia papyrifera is mainly found in the degraded drylands that are dispersed across many regions of Ethiopia. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the resource status of the northern Ethiopian area of Burie Zuria, which is home to woods dominated by Boswellia papyrifera. Determining the district's Boswellia papyrifera-dominated woodland's regeneration status and quantifying the population structure of the existing species are among the objectives of the study. From 25mx25m, 5mx5m and 1mx1m size plots, tree, sapling and seedling were collected respectively and the collected data was analyzed through a descriptive statistics. According to the findings, the target species, Boswellia papyrifera, had a bell-shaped population structure and a fair regeneration status. Its population structure dominated woods in both the DBH and height class distribution, exhibiting an inverted "J" form. Some species such as Boswelia papyrifera (51.2%), Lannea schimperi (18.06%), and Erythroxylum fischeri (17.6%) had large important value index. The results conclude that the regeneration status and population structures of majority species indicate there is disturbances effect within the area. The finding showed that the population structure of large IVI species was bell-shaped so to sustain such species regular monitoring and conservation activities should be implemented and the finding revealed that the regeneration status of majority species within woodland were fair means there is an anthropogenic disturbance so to minimize such disturbances effect participatory forest management activities should be implement.