Hong Kong Scientists Fight to Save Fragrant Incense Trees

The Valuable Trees

Aaron Tang, owner of an incense product company, holding up hand-rolled joss sticks in his workshop in Hong Kong (AFP pic)

Hong Kong has long been a hub for sweet-smelling aromatic products. The city’s name – translating to “fragrant harbour” – is commonly linked to the area’s history of incense production and sale.

The Problem of Illegal Felling

Environmentalists say illegal incense tree felling is on the rise in Hong Kong, fuelled by black market demand. Hong Kong authorities say that illegal incense tree felling soared twelvefold in 2023 compared to the previous year.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has labelled Chinese Agarwood as “vulnerable” – blaming logging and wood harvesting for the population decline.

The Solution: Genetic Research

Geneticist Zhang Huarong walks through the forest near his Hong Kong research lab, gesturing towards a rotting incense tree stump that is one of over a dozen illegally felled for the valuable wood inside.

Scientists like Zhang are fighting back by taking DNA samples from each plant and creating a database that can help authorities crack down – as well as offer insights into how the trees can be better conserved.

Zhang, a researcher at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, told AFP, “In one night, over 20 trees had been cut down by poachers. We have to take action.”

The Database

The database serves a joint purpose: assisting authorities in stopping illegal incense tree felling and helping researchers understand the species’ evolutionary potential.

Zhang explained that this research has identified unique genetic groups located in different areas of Hong Kong – diversity that could be key to cultivating a resilient wild population of the vulnerable species.

Larger genetic diversity protects populations from environmental changes, Zhang explained. For Hong Kong’s incense trees, that includes the effects of climate change and surges in logging activity.

Conservation Efforts

Hong Kong shop owner Aaron Tang sells wares that attest to the many uses of agarwood, from carved jewellery to oils and hand-rolled joss sticks.

To help protect the wild agarwood population, he verifies with raw material suppliers that their product comes from cultivated trees.

When he teaches a class on making joss sticks, he warns his students against buying wild stock, or falling for illegally gotten products.

“The name of Hong Kong is because of agarwood so I want to keep this culture,” he said.

Consequences of Illegal Felling

Unlike sustainable agarwood producers, the illegal ones create deep cuts on the tree in a bid to make it produce agarwood more quickly. Then “they chop down the whole tree” for harvesting, Chinese University of Hong Kong scientist David Lau told AFP, pointing to a preserved incense tree trunk on campus.

A spokesperson for the city said they have set up patrols at “specific locations with important incense tree populations”. They also insisted that illegal felling has decreased since measures implemented in 2018, including metal cages and surveillance around the most accessible trees.

However, horticulturist Paul Melsom attributes the fall to there being “less trees to poach”. And the illegal trade has continued to thrive despite government efforts.

Conclusion

Hong Kong’s incense trees are facing a grave threat due to illegal felling, but scientists are working tirelessly to conserve the species. By creating a database of DNA samples, researchers can help authorities crack down on illegal activity and better understand the evolutionary potential of the species.

FAQs

* What is agarwood?
Agarwood is a type of fragrant wood used in incense, perfume, and traditional Chinese medicine.
* Why is agarwood valuable?
Agarwood is highly prized for its fragrant resinous wood, which can fetch up to US$10,000 per kilo.
* Why is the illegal felling of incense trees a problem?
The illegal felling of incense trees is a major threat to the species, as it can lead to the destruction of entire forests and the loss of genetic diversity.
* What are the consequences of illegal felling?
The consequences of illegal felling include the destruction of entire forests, the loss of genetic diversity, and the decline of the species.