CR

Boswellia nana

Unknown

Overview

Boswellia nana is a species of plant in the Burseraceae family endemic to the Yemeni island of Socotra. They are small trees or shrubs, sometimes so bent that they are lying nearly horizontal to the ground.

Boswellia nana faces severe threats from overexploitation for its valuable frankincense resin, which has led to unsustainable harvesting practices across its limited range. Habitat degradation from livestock grazing and human encroachment further compounds population decline. The species' extremely restricted distribution on the island of Socotra makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats and environmental changes.

Threat summary

Habitat

Boswellia nana is endemic to the island of Socotra, Yemen, where it inhabits rocky limestone plateaus and cliff faces in arid mountainous terrain. The species grows in extremely harsh conditions with minimal rainfall, typically found at elevations between 300-700 meters in areas with sparse vegetation cover.

Forest· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Habitat & natural process restorationSpecies managementSpecies recoveryAwareness & communications

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Dacryodes trapnellii

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Bursera bolivarii

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Bursera aspleniifolia

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Acropora mossambica

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Socotra Karst Crab

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Socotra Freshwater Crab

Socotrapotamon socotrense

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Boswellia nana classified as Critically Endangered?
Boswellia nana is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Boswellia nana faces severe threats from overexploitation for its valuable frankincense resin, which has led to unsustainable harvesting practices across its limited range. Habitat degradation from livestock grazing and human encroachment further compounds population decline. The species' extremely restricted distribution on the island of Socotra makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats and environmental changes.
Where does Boswellia nana live?
Boswellia nana occurs in Yemen. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Boswellia nana?
The main threats to Boswellia nana are 11.1, 11.2, 2.3, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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