The Boswellia papyrifera , a deciduous tree species vital for frankincense production, is indigenous to the drylands of Africa, particularly Eritrea and Ethiopia. This review consolidates existing research to examine the distribution, regeneration challenges, and threats con-fronting this ecologically and economically significant species. Despite its multifaceted roles in providing frankincense, fodder, and ecological services, B. papyrifera populations are experiencing a notable decline. Factors contributing to this include the expansion of agricultural activities into woodland areas, unsustainable tapping practices for resin extraction, excessive grazing, and the increasing impacts of climate change. Overharvesting, in particular, significantly impedes natural regeneration, resulting in a population structure dominated by mature trees. The ecological functionality of B. papyrifera in combating desertification is also under threat. Thus, the implementation of sustainable management strategies such as regulated tapping practices, controlled grazing, and the exploration of ex-situ conservation methods are urgently needed. Given their historical and cultural significance, the Orthodox churches of Ethiopia and Eritrea, which utilize frankincense in religious ceremonies, could play a pivotal role. Their involvement in promoting sustainable harvesting, establishing protected areas, and conducting reforestation initiatives could significantly contribute to the long-term viability of B. papyrifera and the preservation of the livelihoods that depend on it.

The multipurpose, deciduous tree species Boswellia papyrifera grows in a savanna area that stretches eastward from Northern Nigeria to the highlands of Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is a native Ethiopian dryland tree and is well known for producing frankincense, a non-timber forest product. Despite its wide economic, ecological, and social importance, the species is facing serious problems and its area coverage is declining from year to year. Therefore, the objectives of this review paper were investigating some points on the current contribution of the B. papyrifera predominated woodlands, its regeneration problems, and future conservation. A series of summaries was prepared for this article's compilation in the form of a critical analysis and discussion, taking into account a variety of perspectives on opposing viewpoints, theories, and methods. Drawing from an extensive collection of literature, the review presents the varieties of ways in which B. papyrifera is used, outlines the major factors for its decline, and discusses possible ways of conservation and restoration of the tree’s populations. The findings point to uncontrolled tapping of the trees, resulting in their overexploitation, which is being exacerbated by an array of problems with the species regeneration, natural factors such as insects and wind, as well as by climate change. Due to its significance, B. papyrifera must be preserved, and the recommended measures include area closures, proper tapping techniques with adequate frequencies, and enrichment planting, supported by rigid regulations.

To effectively preserve forests sustainably, one must strike a balance between the ecological needs of healthy forest ecosystems and the demands of an expanding human population. The recent increase in demand for forest products, particularly those that indicate a long-term change in land use from forests to other purposes, protecting forested ecosystems from harvest and other disturbances is essential. The objectives of this review were explaining the current state of the art of each of remote sensing technologies, highlighting important research problems related to forest inventories, and sharing some thoughts on how operational readiness for these technologies could affect the techniques used in forest inventories. Airborne laser-scanning data are frequently collected at elevations between 500 to 3000 meters for forest inventory. The assessment of forest inventory features and the development of digital terrain models for bare earth are two common uses for these data. Applications like species identification based on crown shape would require higher pulse densities, or more than five pulses per square meter. Airborne point clouds are more regularly spaced and monitor the canopy from the top down, whereas terrestrial systems examine the canopy from the bottom up. Point clouds are used to illustrate stand structure in both terrestrial and aerial LiDAR (light detection and ranging in) systems. The use of remote sensing technologies to simulate forest inventory features in combination with additional auxiliary geospatial data sets is not a new phenomenon. The rapidly evolving instrument technology and short service life, which require calibration across instruments and acquisitions, as well as the relatively new state of the technology and operational costs, which effectively limit the number of acquisitions from the same area, are some of the many reasons for this.

A significant basis of raw materials for the forest products industry is provided by Cupressus lusitanica, one of the commercial timber tree species found in the forest. Accurate tree and stand volume development models are necessary for intensive forest management to yield timber. The goal of this study was to develop and validate volume equations for Cupressus lusitanica tree species in North-western highlands, Ethiopia. Four tree volume estimation models were developed and validated for Cupressus lusitanica plantation forest at Tsarikan. Tsarikan plantation forest was selected purposively, and systematic sampling technique was employed to select four square plots having an area of 100 m2 each. A total number of 46 trees were observed and diameter at breast height and tree height were measured. Among the computed estimation models, an equation that used both tree Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and height as independent predictors (V = -5.6*10-17+1.25*10-5(DBH2*h)) was selected to be the best fit and suitable model for individual tree volume prediction of Cupressus lusitanica monoculture forest depending on the respective standard error of estimation and coefficient of determination values. This volume estimation model can be used by forest growers and managers for sustainable production and utilization of Cupressus lusitanica plantation forest at North-Western highlands of Ethiopia, as well as other areas of the country having similar agro ecology. The use of species and site-specific models are strongly recommended for the countries having a varied range of topographical and biophysical situations like Ethiopia.