| Summary: | Frankincense is an oleo-gum-resin collected from wild <i>Boswellia</i> spp. trees, and widely used in perfumery, cosmetics, aromatherapy, incense, and other industries. <i>Boswellia rivae</i>, growing in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya, is one source of frankincense, but is little-commercialized compared to species such as <i>B. sacra</i>, <i>B. frereana</i>, and <i>B. papyrifera</i>. In this study, we examine the resin essential oil chemistry and harvesting systems of <i>B. rivae</i> in order to evaluate its potential for increased trade and potential positive livelihood benefits. <i>Boswellia rivae</i> produces an essential oil rich in α-thujene (0.1–12.4%), α-pinene (5.5–56.4%), β-pinene (0.3–13.0%), δ-3-carene (0.1–31.5%), <i>p</i>-cymene (1.4–31.2%), limonene (1.8–37.3%), β-phellandrene (tr-5.6%), <i>trans</i>-pinocarveol (0.1–5.0%), <i>trans</i>-verbenol (0.1–11.2%), and <i>trans</i>-β-elemene (0–5.7%), similar to major commercial species, although it is difficult to detect mixing of <i>B. rivae</i> and <i>Commiphora africana</i> resins from chemistry alone. The <i>B. rivae</i> trees are not actively tapped, so resin collection has a neutral impact on the health of the trees, and resin production is unaffected by drought. Consequently, collecting resins acts as a key income supplementing livestock herding, as well as a safety net protecting pastoral communities from the severe negative effects of climate change-exacerbated drought on livestock. Therefore, <i>Boswellia rivae</i> is well positioned chemically, ecologically, and socially to support expanded trade.
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