Frankincense Resilience through Actions for Global Involvement and Local Empowerment

This proposal aims to advance the taxonomy, conservation, and sustainable use of Boswellia species—frankincense-producing trees native to arid regions and vital to biodiversity and local livelihoods. The objectives are to revise species classification using genetic and morphological data, assess conservation status through field inventories, investigate population genetics, and understand ecological interactions and climate responses. The project also explores the chemical composition and bioactivity of Boswellia resin and honey, and examines the socio-economic dynamics of resin harvesting to improve value chains and support community-based conservation.These goals will be achieved through interdisciplinary collaboration and international staff exchanges among universities and institutions in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Researchers will apply advanced methods such as next-generation sequencing, hyperspectral imaging, and NMR spectroscopy, alongside ethnographic and ecological fieldwork. The project will engage local communities in data collection, restoration planning, and implementation of nature-based solutions to regenerate degraded Boswellia woodlands.The proposal directly supports the Horizon Europe Work Programme by addressing biodiversity loss, promoting sustainable natural resource management, and fostering global research partnerships. It contributes to the European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy by generating actionable knowledge, building capacity, and delivering long-term impact for ecosystems and communities in vulnerable regions.