Tree Conservation Information Service
| Aquilaria malaccensis
Thymelaeaceae agarwood, agar, aloewood, eaglewood, gaharu Distribution India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, West Bengal, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim), Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sumatra), Philippines. Populations in Indochina appear to belong to a different species (Asia Regional Workshop, 1997). Habitat This large evergreen tree is found in primary or secondary forest up to 1000m. In Malaysia, the species can be found up to 750m on plains, hillsides and ridges in primary and secondary forest (Whitmore, 1973). Population Status and Trends Populations are widespread but patchy in distribution in Indonesia and Malaysia. According to the Indonesian National Forest Inventory Aquilaria spp population densities are 1.87 individuals per hectare in Sumatra, 3.37 individuals per hectare in Kalimantan and 4.33 individuals per hectare in Irian Jaya. In Malaysia estimates lie at 2.5 individuals per hectare (Soehartono in WCMC, 1997). As the most important source of agarwood populations are heavily exploited throughout the species range. Only 10% of the trees in any population are likely to be infected with the fungus that causes the wood to decay, producing agarwood. Traditionally local people have harvested only infected trees but demand in the last ten years has led to excessive harvesting of both diseased and healthy trees (Soehartono in WCMC, 1997). There is even a belief that the diseased wood develops in felled trees. Major centres of production are located at Riau and Aceh in Sumatra, also Kalimantan and Irian Jaya. The increasing rarity of the species has led to traders searching for populations in more remote areas by helicopter and in some cases outside the species range (Anon, 1997). Production from plantations is still very minor. The Indian populations are critically endangered (Asia Regional Workshop, 1997). In addition, according to the pre-1994 IUCN Red List Category system the following populations were considered threatened at the national level Bangladesh (Endangered), Bhutan (Rare), Myanmar (Vulnerable), Malaysia (Indeterminate), Singapore (Rare), Sumatra (Endangered). Role of species in the ecosystem Threats Overexploitation. Utilisation The fungal infested wood is used as a medicine, incense, insect repellent and ingredient in perfumes. The timber is used for making furniture. Trade Agarwood often contains a mix of Aquilaria spp. In the form of powder or wood chips different species are indistinguishable (Soehartano in WCMC, 1997). Trade in agarwood between India and Arabian countries has continued for centuries. Indonesia is now a major exporter, supplying up to 300 tons pa. to Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirate, Oman and Yemen. The lowest grade agarwood fetched prices of US$100/kg in 1993 and the highest grade US$10,000/kg in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain (Kumar & Menon in press in Anon, 1997). Between 1990 and 1991, India exported a total of 432,370 kg, valued at Rs. 6,223,447 (Anon, 1994). Since 1995 the species has been included in Appendix II of CITES and member states, such as Indonesia, have been reorganising procedures of harvesting and trade to fit CITES regulations. Enforcement has been difficult and illegal felling and trade have been reported in Indonesia and India. IUCN Conservation category VU A1cd according to the Asia Regional Workshop (1997). Conservation Measures The species is included in Appendix II of CITES. In India, the extraction of this species is either banned or regulated depending on the state under the Indian Forest Act and Administrantion Order of State Forest Department (Anon, 1994). Export is prohibited from India under item 7 of para 158 of prohibited items, however exports are still officially recorded (Anon, 1994). Forest management and silviculture The best agarwood yields are from trees of 50 years age or more but resin is produced as early as 20 years. Plantations of 10 to 15 ha have been established in East Sumatra, West Kalimantan and West Java. The plantations set up in the early 1990s in India have come under heavy pressure and are largely destroyed (Anon, 1997). Experiments are underway to establish a method of injecting the fungus into healthy trees. References Anonymous. 1994. Proposal to include Aquilaria malaccensis in Appendix II of CITES. Asia Regional Workshop. 1997. Discussions held during the Third Regional Workshop for the WCMC/SSC Conservation and sustainable management of trees project, Hanoi, Viet Nam, 18-21 August 1997. van Valkenburg, J.L.C.H., 1997. Non-timber forest products of East Kalimantan. Potentials for sustainable forest use. Tropenbos Series 16. Whitmore, T.C. (Ed). 1973. Tree flora of Malaya: a manual for foresters. Volume 2. Longman: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. WCMC. 1997. Report on the Third Regional Workshop held at Hanoi, Viet Nam, 18-21 August 1997WCMC/SSC Conservation and sustainable management of trees project.
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