A fragrance that is synonymous with Christmas, where the Three Kings carried it to Bethlemhem, may be hard to find in 15 years.
Ecologists have warned frankincense, which can be burned or infused into incense, oils and perfume, may be diminishing. The resin is taken from a trees in the Boswellia family.
A study published by the British Journal of Applied Ecology says frankincense production could drop by 50 percent in 15 years and the supply of Boswellia trees will plunge 90 percent in the next 50 years.
Frans Bongers, co-author of the study, told the BBC says the older trees in the forests are dying and there is not enough new life to carry the legacy on.
Boswellia trees grow in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Trees known to grow in Ethiopia were found to not grow past the sapling stage.
The study says the only way the population can survive is by intensive management.
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