<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" http-equiv=Content-Type>
<META name=GENERATOR content="MSHTML 8.00.6001.18865">
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Patricia,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<P align=left><FONT size=2>According to Ved and Goraya (2008) <EM>Demand and
Supply of Medicinal Plants in India</EM>, the air-dried oleo-gum-resin
exudate in obtained only from wild trees by making <SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">incisions
in the bark of the stems and/or thick branches <FONT size=2>-
</FONT></SPAN>with an estimated annual trade volume of 500 to 1,000 metric tons
of the obtained gum resin. In India, the exudate, known as
<EM>Kunduru</EM>, is used mainly in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. The
wild populations are found in forests from Punjab to West Bengal and in
peninsular India. The English standard common name is Indian Franincense in
both the United States and European Union. I'm not aware of other botanical
name synonyms. It is listed in Herbs of Commerce and there are official quality
standards monographs in Europe and Asia uses only this Latin
binomial.</FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT size=2>Josef</FONT></P>
<P align=left><B>From:</B> <A title=Patricia_DeAngelis@fws.gov
href="mailto:Patricia_DeAngelis@fws.gov">Patricia_DeAngelis@fws.gov</A>
</P></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=mpwg@lists.plantconservation.org
href="mailto:mpwg@lists.plantconservation.org">mpwg@lists.plantconservation.org</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, December 17, 2009 1:06
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [MPWG] sustainable
Boswellia? - CITES and IUCN</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><BR><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">Kudos to Ms. Stanton
for asking these questions and great to see MPWG member responses that are
informative and interesting!</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT size=4
face="Times New Roman">I'd like to add some food for thought when it comes to
CITES and IUCN listings and what such listings (or lack thereof) mean about
the conservation status of a species. </FONT> <BR><BR><FONT size=4
face="Times New Roman">I should preface this by saying that I am not trying to
imply whether the species should or should not be listed in CITES or IUCN, but
just some ideas on ways of thinking about what these designations imply (or
don't imply) about the conservation status of a species:</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT
size=4 face="Times New Roman">CITES:</FONT>
<UL>
<LI><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">The role of a CITES listing is to
prevent over-exploitation of wild populations of species that are in
international trade. </FONT>
<LI><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">An informative question would be
whether or not the species has ever been evaluated to be listed in CITES.
In the case of <I>Boswellia sacra</I>, the species was evaluated in
1997 as part of a review of the CITES criteria (see:
http://www.cites.org/eng/prog/criteria/1st_meeting/trees.shtml), and it was
concluded that the species did not qualify for inclusion in either Appendix
I or Appendix II of CITES. I also would ask, <I>why did they decide it
did not merit listing </I>(i.e., is most of the stuff in trade being
cultivated)? <I>Have the circumstances surrounding the use and conservation
of the species changed in the last 12 years? </I></FONT>
<LI><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">It appears that no other species of
<I>Boswellia </I>have been evaluated for CITES listing. But, lack of
evaluation does not connote lack of conservation need - it just indicates
that the species have not been evaluated. The conservation status of the
species may be fine, or it may not be on the "radar"
screen.</FONT></LI></UL><BR><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">IUCN:</FONT>
<UL>
<LI><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">The on-line IUCN database
(http://www.redlist.org/) has 11 <I>Boswellia </I>entries, all Vulnerable
and all seem to be threatened by habitat issues (i.e., small area of
extent).</FONT>
<LI><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">I don't see <I>B. serrata</I> on the
list at all (perhaps it has a synonym?). However, the on-line IUCN database
is not complete; i.e., not all species have been evaluated. Therefore,
absence of species in the database does not connote absence of threat or a
secure status for the species.</FONT>
<LI><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">A "Data Deficient" category does not
connote that the species is not at risk. It indicates there is not enough
information to evaluate the species against the current criteria. And since
there are not oodles of money laying around for assessments to be conducted,
most species lay in wait for a benevolent donor before they get evaluated or
they get evaluated in response to something that puts the species on the
radar screen (i.e., huge amounts of poaching). </FONT>
<LI><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">Not all species that <U>have</U>
been evaluated by IUCN are in the on-line database--because the IUCN Red
List Criteria was changed (~in 2001) and not all species have been
re-evaluated against the new criteria. Because of this, it's good to
take a look at previous print versions of the Red List as well. A quick look
at the 1997 Red List (Walter and Gillett 1998) shows only 4 <I>Boswellia</I>
had been evaluated at that time (B. nana=E; B. ogadensis=E; B.
ovalifoliolata=I; B. pirottae=R), but not <I>B. serrata</I>. Some of
the info from previous print versions are being incorporated into the
on-line database (which you can see in the History section under "Assessment
Information" in the species entry). </FONT></LI></UL><FONT size=4
face="Times New Roman"> (Walter, K. S. and H. J.
Gillett 1998. 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants. IUCN,
Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.)</FONT>
<UL>
<LI><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">Another resource is the
country-based Red Lists; this information is not well coordinated with the
on-line database although the IUCN is working to address the situation.
So, you might actually find info in the country-based Red List that
you wouldn't know about if you just looked on-line. I'm not sure which
of the African countries that are range states to <I>Boswellia </I>species
have country-based Red Lists. But some of the country-based lists can
be found on-line.</FONT></LI></UL><BR><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">As
much as I rely on CITES and IUCN to do my work, it's important to understand
what "lack of listing" does and does not mean, and that these two resources
should not be the end of your investigation into the conservation status of a
species. Resources such as those mentioned by Ms. Burgess and Ms.
Flaster are excellent. You might also be interested in looking at the
International Standard for Sustainable Wild Collection of Medicinal and
Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP) to learn more about how different harvest practices
might affect the status of the
species...(www.floraweb.de/proxy/floraweb/map-pro/Standard_Version1_0.pdf).</FONT>
<BR><BR><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">Hopefully, these thoughts will
help as you research this or other species. </FONT> <BR><BR><FONT size=4
face="Times New Roman">Thanks,</FONT> <BR><FONT size=4
face="Times New Roman">Patricia </FONT><BR><BR><BR><FONT size=2
face=sans-serif>Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.<BR>Botanist - Division of
Scientific Authority<BR>Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant
Working Group<BR>US Fish & Wildlife Service<BR>4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite
110<BR>Arlington, VA 22203<BR>703-358-1708 x1753<BR>FAX:
703-358-2276<BR><BR>Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native
medicinal
plants.<BR><www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal><BR></FONT><BR><BR><BR>
<TABLE width="100%">
<TBODY>
<TR vAlign=top>
<TD width="40%"><FONT size=1 face=sans-serif><B>"Isla Burgess"
<isla@herbcollege.com></B> </FONT><BR><FONT size=1
face=sans-serif>Sent by: mpwg-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org</FONT>
<P><FONT size=1 face=sans-serif>12/17/2009 01:22 PM</FONT> </P>
<TD width="59%">
<TABLE width="100%">
<TBODY>
<TR vAlign=top>
<TD>
<DIV align=right><FONT size=1 face=sans-serif>To</FONT></DIV>
<TD><FONT size=1 face=sans-serif><sesherbs@aol.com>,
<MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org></FONT>
<TR vAlign=top>
<TD>
<DIV align=right><FONT size=1 face=sans-serif>cc</FONT></DIV>
<TD>
<TR vAlign=top>
<TD>
<DIV align=right><FONT size=1 face=sans-serif>Subject</FONT></DIV>
<TD><FONT size=1 face=sans-serif>Re: [MPWG] sustainable
Boswellia?</FONT></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE>
<TBODY>
<TR vAlign=top>
<TD>
<TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR><BR><BR><FONT
color=#000080 size=2 face=Arial>Good Morning Susan,</FONT> <BR><FONT
color=#000080 size=2 face=Arial>Boswellia is not on a CITES Listing and the
IUCN has a ‘data deficient’ rating.</FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2
face=Arial> </FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2 face=Arial>We do need
to be concerned about the conservation status of this herb.</FONT> <BR><FONT
color=#000080 size=2 face=Arial>I recently developed as part of an MSc
dissertation a Medicinal Plant Rapid Assessment Tool (MPRAT) and am the
interim convener for the International Research Group for the Conservation of
Medicinal Plants </FONT><A href="http://www.irgcmp.org/"><FONT color=blue
size=2 face=Arial><U>www.irgcmp.org</U></FONT></A><FONT color=#000080 size=2
face=Arial> </FONT><BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2 face=Arial>We are hoping to
attract funding to apply the MPRAT to a range of medicinal plants available in
over the counter and practitioner products.</FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080
size=2 face=Arial> </FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2 face=Arial>The
website is in the early stages of development but more information will be
added over time.</FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2
face=Arial> </FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2 face=Arial>I wish all
buyers were asking these questions.</FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2
face=Arial> </FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2 face=Arial>Nga
Mihi,</FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2 face=Arial> </FONT> <BR><FONT
color=#000080 size=2 face=Arial>Isla</FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2
face=Arial> </FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2 face=Arial>Isla
Burgess (Interim Convenor for IRGCMP)</FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2
face=Arial>Director</FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2
face=Arial>International College of Herbal Medicine</FONT> <BR><FONT
color=#000080 size=2 face=Arial>18B Sirrah St</FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080
size=2 face=Arial>Wainui, Gisborne, New Zealand</FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080
size=2 face=Arial>#6468630048</FONT> <BR><FONT color=#000080 size=2
face=Arial>#6468630046 Fax</FONT> <BR><A
href="http://www.herbcollege.com/"><FONT color=blue size=2
face=Arial><U>www.HerbCollege.com</U></FONT></A> <BR><A
href="mailto:isla@HerbCollege.com"><FONT color=blue size=2
face=Arial><U>isla@HerbCollege.com</U></FONT></A> <BR><FONT color=#000080
size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </FONT>
<DIV align=center><BR>
<HR>
</DIV><BR><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B>
mpwg-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org
[mailto:mpwg-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org] <B>On Behalf Of
</B>sesherbs@aol.com<B><BR>Sent:</B> Friday, 18 December 2009 3:07
a.m.<B><BR>To:</B> MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org<B><BR>Subject:</B> [MPWG]
sustainable Boswellia?</FONT> <BR><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT> <BR><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Hello-</FONT>
<BR><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I am a supplement retailer wondering whether I
should be concerned about sustainable harvesting of Boswellia serrata that is
sold in the US. Is the resin gathered from trees that are cultivated
for commercial use or is it gathered from wild trees? Is there a way to
"sustainably" harvest without threatening tree populations? Are Boswellia
trees threatened or endangered in some areas? If anyone could please
shed some light I would appreciate it greatly.</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2
face=Arial> </FONT> <BR><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Sincerely,
</FONT><BR><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Susan Stanton</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2
face=Arial>Supplement Buyer </FONT><BR><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Brattleboro
Food Coop</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Brattleboro, VT</FONT> <BR><FONT
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><BR>-- <BR>This message has been scanned for
viruses and <BR>dangerous content by </FONT><A
href="http://www.mailscanner.info/"><FONT color=blue size=3
face="Times New Roman"><B><U>MailScanner</U></B></FONT></A><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">, and is <BR>believed to be clean. </FONT>
<P><FONT size=3><BR>-- <BR>This message has been scanned for viruses and
<BR>dangerous content by </FONT><A href="http://www.mailscanner.info/"><FONT
color=blue size=3><B><U>MailScanner</U></B></FONT></A><FONT size=3>, and is
<BR>believed to be clean. </FONT><TT><FONT
size=2><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>PCA's Medicinal
Plant Working Group mailing
list<BR>MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org<BR>http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org<BR><BR>To
unsubscribe, send an e-mail to MPWG-request@lists.plantconservation.org with
the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.<BR><BR>Disclaimer<BR>Any advice
given on this list regarding diagnosis or treatments etc. reflects ONLY the
opinion of the individual who posts the message. The information contained in
posts is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical
advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. All medical
and other healthcare information that is discussed on this list should be
carefully reviewed by the individual reader and their qualified healthcare
professional. Posts do not reflect any official opinions or positions of the
Plant Conservation Alliance.
</FONT></TT>
<P>
<P>
<HR>
<P></P><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>PCA's Medicinal
Plant Working Group mailing
list<BR>MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org<BR>http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org<BR><BR>To
unsubscribe, send an e-mail to MPWG-request@lists.plantconservation.org with
the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.<BR><BR>Disclaimer<BR>Any advice
given on this list regarding diagnosis or treatments etc. reflects ONLY the
opinion of the individual who posts the message. The information contained in
posts is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical
advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. All medical
and other healthcare information that is discussed on this list should be
carefully reviewed by the individual reader and their qualified healthcare
professional. Posts do not reflect any official opinions or positions of the
Plant Conservation Alliance.</BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>