AQUILARIA AND GYRINOPS: A REVIEW

IN–SITU AND EX–SITU CONSERVATION
OF AQUILARIA AND GYRINOPS:
A REVIEW

Oleh:
Tajudin Edy Komar
Marfuah Wardani
Faustina Ida Hardjanti
Nurul Ramdhania

Ministry of Forestry
Forestry Research and Development

Center for Conservation and Rehabilitation Research and Development
in cooperation with

International Tropical Timber Organization
(ITTO) – CITES Phase II Project
Bogor – Indonesia, 2014

IN-SITU AND EX-SITU CONSERVATION OF AQUILARIA AND GYRINOPS:

A REVIEW
Authors:
Tajudin Edy Komar
Marfuah Wardani
Faustina Ida Hardjanti
Nurul Ramdhania
Editors:
Bismark
Erdy Santoso
Agustinus P. Tampubolon
Desain Cover:
Agustina Dwi Setyowati
Copyright © 2014 Center for Conservation and Rehabilitation Research and Development
in cooperation with International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) – CITES Phase II
Project
ISBN: 978-602-1681-24-4
Published by
Center for Conservation and Rehabilitation Research and Development
International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) – CITES Phase II Project
Jl. Gunung Batu No. 5 Bogor, Indonesia

Telp. +62-251-8633234, Fax. +62-251-8638111
Printed by: IPB Press
Bogor, Desember 2014

This work was made possible by a grant from ITTO under its collaborative program with CITES
'Support to ITTO: CITES Implementation for Tree Species and Trade/Market Transparency
(TMT)'. Donors to this collaborative program include the EU (primary donor), the USA, Germany,
the Netherlands and Norway. The project was implemented by Center for Conservation and
Rehabilitation Research and Development.

PREFACE
Agarwood is a high value non-timber forest product, produced from natural infestation and
artificial inoculation with microorganism. Seven genera, Aquilaria, Gyrinops, Aetoxylon,
Gonystylus, Eukbia, Wikstroemia and Paleria have been known as source of agarwood.
However, current primary producer of agarwood are from Aquilaria and Gyrinops. Since
the value of this NTFP is relatively high, the collections of agarwood from the wild since
last two decades have been severe and the method of collection is mostly unsustainable.
Unsustainable collection and the presence of various disturbances of the habitat have
made the population and habitat of the species and genera of Aquilaria and Gyrinops
rapidly decreased and in some extent may have gone to extinct. In order to conserve and

rescue the species, population and habitats, several field actions are needed to be carried
out. Reviews of on the status of the species, population and habitats have been
conducted. Some necessary information may have not been incorporated in this review,
however the status of conservation of the species, population and habitat in general have
been captured in the review.
We thanks to all parties who have made valuable contribution to this report from data
collection draft preparation and completion of this report.
Director of CCR

Ir. Adi Susmianto, M.Sc

iii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In situ and ex situ conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A review.
Agarwoods is one of Non-Timber Forest Product produced as result from physiological
response to the micro-organism infection to Aquilaria and Gyrinops species. This aromatic
product from those species has been used, among others, for medicines, cosmetic,
incences and other aromatic based materials, including parfumes and uses as for
traditional, ceremonial, cultural events and modern-day lifestyle. There are four genera

widely known as agarwood producing species: Aquilaria, Gyrinops, Aetoxylon and
Gonystylus. However, current major producers of agarwood are from the species of
Aquilaria and Gyrinops member of Thymmeliaceae. These two genera naturally distributes
in a wide range of geographical Asian region including Indonesia. Major islands, such as
Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua are primary sources agarwood production
from the wild. The export destinations are Europe, Middle East (Arabian World), Japan,
Korea through Malaysia and Singapore. The prices of agarwood ranges and could reach
over US$ 5, 000 per kg for premium quality. The price is depending on quality and level of
market transactio. The quality of agarwood collected from the wild is highly variable.
National Board for Standardization System (BSN) has issued quideline for standard
quality of agarwood determined based on color, incence content and aromatic strength.
Chemical component has not been used in the quality grading but will be incorporated in
the near future. The threats to the population and habitats of agarwood species have been
intensified. Current harvest is definitely unsustainable. The harvest is greater than that of
the population growth and agarwood production to naturally recover. Method of harvest is
still potentially destructive. Monitoring and control of harvest and protection from
destructive felling are still relatively weak.No effective measures have been taken to
control, manage and at least to ensure the allowable harvest is within the capacity to
recover in natural process. The current quota system is still insufficient and potential to
over extraction, since the accurate data on the existing wild and planted population,

potential agarwood production and the population recovery are not available. Aside from
the threats, there is a good news. The cultured plantation has been widely startedsince
last 5-10 years in almost all over Indonesia from Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Bali,
Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua, especially for some species of Aquilaria and Gyrinops.
Various innoculation technologies have been introduced and applied into the cultured
plantation, using pre-tested microorganism, primarily Fusarium. However, the agarwood
produced from cultured plantation is still insignificant to reduce pressure of agarwood
collection from the wild. The quality and the production through innoculation is inconsistent
to gradually replace the production from nature. Efforts to protect and conserve agarwood
plant genetic resources, both in its natural habitat distribution (in situ) and outside natural
distribution (ex-situ) is still insignificant. In-situ conservation has been established, but in
co-incidentally with the establishment of conservation areas (National Park, Nature and
wildlife reserve), protected forests and other plant genetic conservation area in production
forest. However, monitoring and inventory of their population, regeneration and potential
production are still extremely lacking. Conservation which is in some extent as collection
of species, has been limitedly established in several areas, such as in botanical garden,
recreational forests, research forests and other arboretum. No report so far regarding the

v

intensive conservation garden (genetic resources collection) has been established. Some
future challenges for sustainable harvest and conservation are related to the fact of (1)
continued reduction of natural population (illegal felling, fire and forest conversion), (2)
insignificant conservation efforts (campaign, budget allocation, awareness raising,
guidelines and toolkit, database collection on population and distribution), (3) Weak
enforcement of rules and regulation including CITES requirement and (4) harvest from the
wild using unsustainable method and (5) Setting quota using inaccurate and out of dated
data on population and distribution.Several recommended strategies and actions are
needed in order to improve the conditions.

vi

LIST OF CONTENT
PREFACE .......................................................................................................................... iii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................... v
LIST OF CONTENT .......................................................................................................... vii
LIST OF TABLE ................................................................................................................ ix
LIST OF FIGURE .............................................................................................................. xi
LIST OF APPENDICES ................................................................................................... xii
ABBREVIATION .............................................................................................................. xv

ABOUT AUTHORS ........................................................................................................ xvii
PART 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Background ............................................................................................................... 3
1.2. Objective .................................................................................................................... 4
1.3. Terminology ............................................................................................................... 5
1.4. Methodology .............................................................................................................. 6
PART 2. NATURAL DISTRIBUTION OF AQUILARIA AND GYRINOPS ......................... 9
2.1. Forest Resources and Floristic Diversity ................................................................. 11
2.2. Geographical Distribution ........................................................................................ 12
2.3. Ecological Distribution ............................................................................................. 12
PART 3 GAPS AND PROBLEMS ON AGARWOOD
SUSTAINABLE HARVEST AND CONSERVATION ......................................................... 21
3.1 Deforestation and Habitat and Population Lost .................................................. 23
3.2. Agarwood Harvest From the Wild ..................................................................... 23
3.3. The Drivers of Agarwood Harvest ..................................................................... 27
3.4. The Sustainability of Agarwood Harvest ............................................................ 27
3.5. Method of Harvesting ....................................................................................... 28
3.6. Traditional Local Knowledge and Local Wisdom ................................................. 28
3.7. Data and Information on Potential Production and Distribution ........................... 29
3.8. Technology for Processing ................................................................................ 29

3.9 Production, Distribution and Export Control ....................................................... 29
3.10. Awareness on the Importance of Sustainable Harvest and Conservation ............. 31
3.11. Quota Setting .................................................................................................. 31
3.12. Management Plan Toward Sustainable Harvest and Conservation ....................... 32
3.13. Expansion of Market Information ...................................................................... 32
3.14. Reducing Viable Stands of Agarwood Trees ....................................................... 33
3.15. Genetic Diversity and Conservation ................................................................... 33
3.16. Untraceable Origin of Cultured Plantation .......................................................... 34

vii

PART 4. CONSERVATION STATUS OF AQUILARIA AND GYRINOPS ........................ 37
4.1. In-situ Conservation ........................................................................................ 39
4.1.1. Genetic resources inventories and survey ................................................ 39
4.1.2. Activities on in-situ genetic conservation ................................................... 40
4.1.3. Major needs for in-situ conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops ................ 40
4.2. Ex-situ Conservation ........................................................................................ 40
4.2.1. Collection initiatives .................................................................................... 41
4.2.2. Germplasm movement ............................................................................... 42
4.2.3. Major needs for ex-situ conservation .......................................................... 43

4.3. Challenges for Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources
of Aquilaria and Gyrinops ................................................................................. 44
4.3.1. Quota setting............................................................................................... 44
4.3.2. Hybridization and inbreeding ...................................................................... 44
4.3.3. Decreasing natural regeneration ................................................................ 44
4.3.4. Massive indiscrimate felling ........................................................................ 45
4.3.5. Genetic erosion ........................................................................................... 45
4.3.6. Ensuring sustainable harvest ...................................................................... 45
4.3.7. Agarwood quality and their standardization ................................................ 46
4.3.8. Research needs .......................................................................................... 46
PART 5. STRATEGIC ACTION AND RECOMMENDATION FOR
CONSERVATION OF AQUILARIA AND GYRINOPS ....................................... 47
REFERENCE ...................................................................................................................... 53
APPENDICES..................................................................................................................... 57

viii

LIST OF TABLE
Table 1.

World distribution agarwood producing species, especially in
Asian countries, which are listed in Appendix II CITES .................................... 13

Table 2.

Indonesian distribution of Aquilaria and Gyrinops (Roemantyo and
Partomihardjo, 2010) ........................................................................................ 14

Table 3.

Distribution of Non-CITES listed agarwood species in Indonesia .................... 14

Table 4.

Habitat distribution of some Aquilaria and Gyrinops species ........................... 15

Table 5.

Aquilaria species recorded at field visit and direct discussion
(interview) with related officers ......................................................................... 16

Table 6.

Distribution of Aquilaria species in Indonesia ................................................... 17

Table 7.

Distribution of Gyrinops species in Indonesia................................................... 19

Table 8.

Extinction category and the estimated period for occurance of extinction ....... 34

Table 9.

Some ex situ conservation (collection) areas recorded
for Aquilaria and Gyrinops ................................................................................ 42

ix

LIST OF FIGURE
Figure 1. Aquilaria tree in Grand Forest Park Bukitsari, Jambi (Left) and
Protected Forst in Bintan Island (Right) (Photo by Tajudin Edy Komar) ............ 7
Figure 2. Distribution of forest areas in some major island in Indonesia (Note:
Forest in relatively small island are not presented in the figure) ...................... 12
Figure 3. Geographical distribution of Aquilaria species ................................................. 18
Figure 4. Geographical distribution of Gyrinops species ................................................. 19
Figure 5. Procedure for determining quota of agarwood based
on Non-Detriment Finding................................................................................. 32

xi

LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix 1. Appendix 1. Quota and Associated Export until 2013 ................................. 59
Appendix 2. List of registered traders of agarwood
in DG. of FPNC (CITES MA) ....................................................................... 60
Appendix 3. List of National Park in Indonesia and its Floristic potential ........................ 61

xiii

ABBREVIATION
ASGARIN

Asosiasi Pedagang Gaharu Indonesia (Association of Indonesia Agarwood
Traders)

BKSDA

Balai Konservasi Sumberdaya Alam ( Regional Office DG. of Forest
Protection and Nature Conservation

BPS

Badan Pusat Statistik (Central Statistic Bureau)

CITES

Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora

DISHUT

Dinas Kehutanan (Forest Services)

DG

Directorate General

FORDA

Forestry Research and Development Agency

FPNC

Forest Protection and Nature Conservation

GFP

Grand Forest Park (Taman Hutan Raya-Tahura)

IIS

Indonesian Institute of Science (CITES Scientific Authority)

ITTO

International Tropical Timber Organization

NDF

Non-Detriment Finding

NP

National Park (Taman Nasional)

NTFP

Non-Timber Forest Product

PF

Protected Forest (Hutan Lindung)

PHKA

Perlindungan Hutan dan Konservasi Alam (see FPNC) (CITES MA)

xv

ABOUT AUTHORS
Tajudin Edy Komar. Senior researcher of the Center for Conservation and Rehabilitation
R&D, Forestry Research and Development Agency (FORDA), Ministry of Forestry - Bogor.
Marfuah Wardhani. Senior Botanist of the Center for Conservation and Rehabilitation
R&D, Forestry Research and Development Agency (FORDA), Ministry of Forestry - Bogor.
Faustina Ida. Senior officer of the CITES Management Authority, Directorate of
Biodiversity Conservation, Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature
Conservation (PHKA) - Jakarta.
Nurul Ramdhania. Assistant in the collection and reparation of
Center for Conservation and Rehabilitation R&D, Bogor.
*

this

report,

xvii

PART I.

INTRODUCTION

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

1.1. Background
Agarwood is one of non-timber forest products (NTFP) which has been collected from the
wild since several decades ago. Recently, the agarwood has become one of the high
economic value NTFPs with fantastic price, especially for premium quality. Before the year
2000, approximately 200 tonnes per year of agarwood was traded in Singapore and 70%
of which originated from Indonesia. In the past, agarwood was primarily traded in some
cities such as Pekanbaru (Sumatra), Surabaya (Java), Pontianak and Banjarmasin
(Kalimantan) and other locations. Importing countries (consumers) of Indonesian
agarwood are Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Japan, United Arab Emirates and
Malaysia (Soehartono, 1999).
Agarwood is produced from seven genera: Aquilaria, Gyrinops, Aetoxylon, Gonystylus,
Eukbia, Wikstroemia and Paleria (Gratzfeld and Tan, 2008). However, major tree species
producing agarwood in Indonesia are Aquilaria and Gyrinops (Roemantyo and
Partomihardjo, 2010; Santoso et al, 2013). In general forestry term, agarwood is
considered as one of NTFP. This product has received wide attention from various parties
especially in international trade community due to its high economic value and
conservation concern. Agarwood is produced as physiological response to the infection of
plants part by microorganisme, such as fusarium. Agarwood differs from sandalwood for
which sandalwood is having aromatic chemical substance inherent with the species. A
number of synonims have been given by various authors for agarwood, such as alim,
gaharu, karas, mengkaras, songgah (Indonesia), chingkaras, gaharu, galoop, kekaras and
kepang (Malaysia) (Yusliansyah, 1997), agarwood, eaglewood, aloewood etc. Agarwood
or eaglewood are commonly used term. No botanical name for agarwood as it is a
product. Agarwood is mostly used for raw material for cosmetics, medicine, parfume and
other modern-day lifestyle.
Until today, the harvest of agarwood in Indonesia is primarily from the wild and the method
used might not be sustainable and therefore may have threatened the population and
habitats, including their genetic resources. The export quota, which is annually determined
by CITES Authorities (Management and Scientific) bears question with regard to its
accuracy. This is because the existing data and information are still insufficient and mostly
out of date, especially with respect to population density, regeneration and potential
production of agarwood. Most of Aquilaria and Gyrinops species have been listed in
Appendix of CITES, for which its international trade is regulated in accordance with rules
and regulation, including setting annual quota to avoid over exploitation and destruction of
the habitats and the remaining population (Soehartono and Newton, 2001).
Several efforts have been taken to ensure the effectivenes of the listings into Appendix II
of CITES, which are to ensure the sustainable harvest and conservation of the
endangered species. CITES Management Authority has annually conducted stakeholders
capacity building on current status of agarwood species, the listing and the requirement to
collect and trade agarwood from the wild. The listings is aimed to ensure sustainable
harvest and conservation of the agarwood species. However, the capacity building is still
insufficient to improve knowledge and skill, understanding on the importance of
sustainable harvest and conservation, especially through improvement of traditional

3

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

agarwood collection and other necessary requirement to achieve the objective of the
listings.
Recently, cultured plantation of selected Aquilaria species has been widely introduced in
many areas, primarily in major islands (Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan. Sulawesi, Maluku and
Papua). Some species which have been widely planted in cultured plantation are A.
malaccensis, A. microcarpa and A. hirta and some Gyrinops species. Production of
agarwood from cultured plantation (cultured agarwood) has gradually increased since last
3-4 years as shown in the data until 2013(see Appendix 1: Quota and associated export
until 2013, from CITES MA, 2014). However, current production is still insignificant to
reduce pressure on agarwood collection from natural population. Therefore, Directorate
General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation along with the Indonesian Science
Institue as CITES Authorities of Indonesia encourage community to trade of agarwood
from cultured plantation. At present, the CITES authorities continue registering the
agarwood from cultured plantation.
The high economic value of agarwood has made the agarwood from the wild be a target
for illegal harvest by collectors and the harvest method is mostly far from sustainable
(Soehartono, Newton and Mardiastuti, 2002). Along with other forest disturbances
(encroachment, illegal harvest, forest fires and conversion to other use), population of
agarwood producing species has rapidly declined and this drastic decrease has also
threatened the existence of the species in nature. Until recently, the status of conservation
of those species have not been updated, eventhough some of the species have been
listed in CITES Appendix. The availability of information regarding the populations,
distribution and conservation is crucial for future action. Using this information, the
appropriate treatment for each species could be developed. In addition, by obtaining
sufficient data and accurate information on each species, the more accurate estimate of
harvestable quantity of agarwood could be determined. By then, the ultimate objective of
the inclusion into CITES Appendix could be achieved (Newton and Soehartono, 2001).
CITES Authorities (scientific and managment), research institutions, universities,
association (traders) and local communities play important role in achieving the CITES
objective, especially for ensuring sustainable harvest and conservation of the species.

1.2. Objective
The objective of the activity is to explore and obtain information on the current status of
Aquilaria and Gyrinops species, with respect to population and conservation status (in
situ, ex situ) and propose necessary recommendations to achieve sustainable harvest and
conservation of the species for current and for future uses. By providing these such
information, the effective conservation measures could also be developed and the
sustainable harvest of the agarwood could be achieved, and finally the sustainable
economic contribution of agarwood collection and trade could also be achieved.

4

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

1.3. Terminology
Agarwood: a resinuous product formed by physiological response to alien microorganism which infects certain part of the agarwood tree. Main stem and root are common
parts in the tree infected by the microorganism.
Agarwood species: plant species naturally or artifically produced

agarwood.

Agarwood tree: tree (large size woody plant) that produce agarwood.
Conservation: as an effort or action to protect living organism from various threat to
extinction or lost.
Conservation area: areas of state forest which has unique characteristics and specifically
designated and regulated by law primarily for protection of ecosystem, preserving various
organisms and sustainable utilization. The conservation area consists of National Parks,
Wildlife Reserve, Nature Reserves, Grand Forest Park and Nature Recreational Park.
Convertible forest area: state forest area due to low productivity and suitable for other
uses could be converted to other non-forest uses.
Cultured agarwood: agarwood produced from cultured plantation by any agarwood
growers.
Cultured Plantation: agarwood species planted for the production of agarwood with
various ecological and biological treatments.
Forest Service: regional or local government offices responsible for managing forest and
its associated resources in each level of government, such as Province (Provincial Forest
Service) and District (District Forest Services).
Production Forests: state forests which function and be designated for timber and
timber-based production and mostly managed by concession companies.
Protected Forest: a stateforest designated and regulated under current law for protection
of forest and its role in hydro-orological function.
Grand Forest Park: a forest area managed for specific purpose primarily for ecosystem
conservation and eco-tourism.
Quota: a set quantity of volume allowed to be exported.
Recreational Forest: a forest and its associated natural uniqueness designated and used
for public recreation.

5

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

Sustainable harvest: a harvest without causing damage or harmful to the population and
habitat.

1.4. Methodology
Desk Study/Literature Search: data and information regarding the population,
conservation and other related information was searched through the existing documents
(printed and non printed), internet search and other sources.
Field Survey in selected sites: data and information compiled from the above sources
were further observed to find what places to be field visit. This is because only limited
places are posible to be field visited, due to time and funding constraints. In most cases,
field visit is impossible since based on earlier information that agarwood producing
species, primarily Aquilaria and Gyrinop are widely spread and scattered in by nature and
by human related disturbances and activities.
Interview/Discussion: to enrich the previously collected data and information, interview
and discussion with individual from government institutions (staff or higher authority in the
institutions) and other competent persons, were carried out. The discussion also
conducted to verify certain issues related to conservation. Provincial and District Forest
Services, National Park Office and Regional Office of DG Forest Protection and Nature
Conservation (DG PHKA), called BKSDA. Prior to field data collection and interviews, a
technical workshop inviting competent personnels and relevant parties on agarwood was
carried out. Draft reports were also presented to obtain comments and inputs to ensure
the sufficiency of the content. To guide in the collection of data and information, a
summary table is prepared as attached in Appendix 1. This table has been attempted to
guide and ease in the collection of data and information on agarwood conservation.
Presentation of findings: the findings were presented in a technical report. The content is
developed based on recommendations made in the technical workshop, also as a
preparatory meeting. The completed report is also presented and discussed in the final
technical workshop organized by the project by inviting competent persons or experts
working on agarwood. Inputs from the meeting were incorporated into the report.

6

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

Figure 1. Aquilaria trees in Grand Forest Park Bukitsari, Jambi (left) and Protected
Forest in Bintan Island (right) (Photo by Tajudin Edy Komar)

7

PART 2.

NATURAL DISTRIBUTION OF
AQUILARIA AND GYRINOPS

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

2.1. Forest Resources and Floristic Diversity
Total forest area in Indonesia is approximately 134,3 millions ha (Direktorat Pengukuhan
dan
Penatagunaan
Kawasan
Hutan,
2012,
www.dephut.go.id/
uploads/files/bukupemanfaatanfinal.2012.pdf) distributed widely spread
accross
archipelago from western most of Sumatra until eastern most of Papua (Figure 2). Major
islands are Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara and Papua.
These forest areas are managed based on their main function, such as production forests
(for timber production and timber base production, 76.6 millions ha), conservation areas
(27 millions ha) and protected forests (for conservation and protection of ecological
diversity and hydrology, 30.5 millions ha) and convertible forest. The latter is the forest
areas which could be converted into other land uses for other development such as
settlement, industries, fisheries and mining.
The forest resources are rich with biological diversity as the second rich biodiversity
country after Brazil. The existing biodiversity consists of major floristic and animal
diversity, such as trees, shrubs, lianas and other plant species. The species richness
consists of at least 515 mammal species, 1,519 bird species, 270 amphibian species, 600
species of reptiles, 121 butterfly species and 20,000 flowering plant species (Mardiastuti
et al 2007).
Late 1970’s was the beginning of utilization of forest resources to generate natural
economy. The natural resources exploited are timber, non timber forest products, mining
and others which have economic value. However, the utilizations have also caused some
damages to the environment. The exploitation of mining, logging and forest conversion to
other uses have resulted to various negative impacts, especially on forest cover change
and biological diversity. The forest cover changes influence floristic diversity and genetic
variability.
The change of forest area during that period (from 1980 through 2000) might have given
large contribution to the decrease and lost of biological diversity including agarwood
natural population. Rapid decrease or lost of biological diversity and population could also
lead to the lost of genetic diversity and genetic erosion after long period of time.
Substantial change of forest cover is comparatively shown between the period of 1980s
and after 2000. The total area of state forest recorded in 2012 remains similar (134
millions ha), but physically, the non-covered forest area (deforested and degraded areas)
has significantly increased and have removedseveral populations of Aquilaria and
Gyrinops in nature. The changes of forest covers occured in almost all types of forests,
such as in production forests, conservation and protected forests and convertible forest
areas. The major causes of the landcover changes are forest conversion, forest fires,
excessive and illegal logging and encroachment. In those areas, a number of herbarium
specimens have been collected and these herbarium specimens could be as evidence of
natural agarwood distribution in those areas. Currently, those population might have gone
to extinction. Roemantyo and Partomiharjo (2010) have analyzed the lost of potential
species during that exploitation era based on herbarium specimen observation on
selected species of Aquilaria and Gyrinops. They concluded that the timber exploitation

11

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

and conversion of various types of forests has caused rapid decrease in Aquilaria and
Gyrinops population, diversity and distribution areas.
Kalimantan Island
38.18 millions ha
Sulawesi Island
11.44 millions ha
Papua Island
40.54 millions ha

Sumatra Island
27.26 millions ha

Java Island
3.04 millions ha

Source :Ditkuh, 2011 (http://ppkh.dephut.go.id/index.php/pages/postpublikasi/post/19)

Figure 2.

Distribution of forest areas in some major island in Indonesia (Note: Forests
in relatively small islands are not presented in the figure)

2.2. Geographical Distribution
World distribution of agarwood species has been summarized by Santoso et al 2013. As
shown in Table 1. Agarwood is produced in most Asian countries for both CITES and nonCITES listed species. Four genera are naturally found in Indonesia: Aquilaria, Gyrinops,
Aetoxylon and Gonystylus. Species from those genera are distributed in Sumatra,
Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua and other small islands. Based on herbarium specimen,
two major genera Aquilaria and Gyrinops are the most frequently found, primarily in large
islands. Aetoxylon and Gonystylus may have not been specifically inventoried as for
agarwood species in that period. For the two genera, species from Aquilaria are found
mostly in western parts of Indonesia, whereas species of Gyrinops are mostly found in
eastern region, such as Molluccas, Nusa Tenggara and Papua (Yusliansyah,
1997;Roemantyo and Partomiharjo, 2010).
The change of forest cover to various uses (settlement, mining, estate crop plantation,
industrial plantation, etc) has occurred in most of those forest areas. Even though, very
limited information available on the impact of conversion to the existence of the species, it
could be certain that population density of agarwood species has been decrease. Rapid
decrease in population has caused various consequencies on agarwood natural
regeneration.

12

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

Table 1. World distribution agarwood producing species (Aquilaria and Gyrinops),
especially in Asian countries, which are listed in Appendix II CITES
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.

Species
A. agallocha
A. apiculata
A. audate
A. acuminate
A. banaense
A. bailonii
A. beccariana
A. brachyantha
A. crassna
A. citrinanaecarpa
A. cumingiana
A. ,filarial
A. grandiflora
A. hirta
A. khasiana
A. malaccensis

A. moszkowskii
A. microcarpa
A. parvifolia
A. rogosa
A. rostrata
A. secundana
A. sinensis
A. tomentosa
A. urdanetensis
A. yunnanensis
G. versteegii
G. mollucana
G. decipiens
G. ledermanii
G. salicifolia
G. caudate
G. podocarpus

World Distributions
Myannmar
The Philippinne
Indonesia, The Philippinne, Papua
The Philippinne
Vietnam, Thailand
Kamboja, Vietnam
Indonesia, Malaysia
The Philippinne
Kamboja, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand
The Philippinne
Indonesia, The Philippinne
Indonesia, The Philippinne, Papua
China, Taiwan
Indonesia, Laos PDR, Papua
India
Banglades, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Laos PDR,
Malaysia, Myannmar, The Philippinne,
Singapore, Thailand
Indonesia
Indonesia, Myanmar
The Philippinne
Laos PDR, Singapore
Malaysia
Indonesia
China, Taiwan
Papua
Philipina
China, Taiwan
Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia
Papua
Indonesia
Papua
Indonesia

Source: Santoso, at al 2013.

13

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

Table 2.
No.

Indonesian distribution of Aquilaria and Gyrinops
Species

1.

Aquilaria

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

A. malaccensis
A. microcarpa
A. brachyanta
A. cumingiana
A. hirta

7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Gyrinops
G. ledermannii
G. vertaegii
G. decifiens
G. molluccana
G. solicifolia
G. podocarpus

Area of distributions
Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara and
Papua
Sumatra, Kalimantan and other islands
Sumatra, Kalimantan and other islands
South Sumatra, Batam, Lingga, Bakung and Durian (Sumatra)
Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku and Papua
South Sumatra, Batam, Lingga, Bakung and Durian (Sumatra),
Talaud, Kepulauan Maluku and Papua
Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku and Papua
Papua Nugini
Sulawesi (Minahasa) and Nusa Tenggara (Flores)
Southeast Sulawesi (Wawatobi)
Maluku
Nabire and Sorong, Papua
Nabire and Sorong, Papua

Sources: Roemantyo and Partomihardjo, 2010.

Table 3.

Distribution of Non-CITES listed agarwood producing species in Indonesia

No

Species

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Aetoxylon sympetalum
Alceodophoe oriaceae
Arastemon urophyllus
Dalbergia parviflora
Enkleia malaccensis
Excoecaria agallocha
Linostoma scandens
Myristica sp.
Phaleria capitata
Phaleria microcarpa
Phaleria nisdai
Phaleria macrocarpa
Phaleria papuana
Wikstroemia polyantha
W. androsaemifola

Kalimantan
Kalimantan
Kalimantan
Sumatera, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku
Sumatera, Kalimantan
Jawa, Kalimantan, Nusa Tenggara
Sumatera
Maluku
Papua
Papua
Papua
Papua
Papua
Jawa, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara

16.
17.
18.
19.

W. tenuiramis
W. candoleana
W. ridleyi
Timoneus sericeus

Sumatera, Kalimantan
Kalimantan
Kalimantan
Nusa Tenggara

Sources: Santoso, et al 2013.

14

Distribution

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

Table 4.

Habitat distribution of some Aquilaria and Gyrinops species
Species

A. malaccensis Lamk
A.microcarpa Baill
A. beccariana van Tiegh

A. hirta Ridl
A. filaria (Oken) Merr

A. cumingiana (Decne)
Ridl
G. versteegii (Gilg) Domke
G. decipiens Ding Hou
G. ledermannii Domke

G. salicifolia Ridl
G. caudate (Gilg.) Domke

G. podocarpus (Gilg)
Domke
G. moluccana (Miq.) Baill

Habitat

Remarks

Primary forest, lowland up to 270 m
above sea level (asl)
Wet tropical forest, lowland up to
200 m asl
Secondary forest, mixed
Dipterocarp, Heath Forest and
mountain forest, 700-1000 asl.
Hilly forest area, lowland up to 300
m asl.
Primary and secondary lowland
forest, swamp forest at 150 m asl.

-

Primary lowland forest at 270 m asl.

-

Primary lowland forest up to 900 m
asl.
Primary forest of West Sulawesi,
Central and South Sulawesi
Primary lowland forest at 0-200 m
asl; secondary forest associated
with Callophylum sp. Papua
Tropical forest areas at 300 m asl,
Papua.
Primary lowland forest at 5-20 m
asl. In Agat, Mappi and Boven Digul
and Marauke
Primary lowland forest up to 750 m
asl
-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Source: Kalima, Susilo and Santoso, 2014

2.3. Ecological Distribution
Species of Aquilaria and Gyrinops grow in a wide range of habitats, soil types and
elevation. Natural habitats in general are primary, logged over area, secondary forest,
community plantation (rubber and other tree plantation) and even in recovered ex-burn
forest area and heath forest. Most of Aquilaria and Gyrinops, grow in various types of
soils, except for some species with soil preference and species association. Elevation
ranges from lowland areas to hilly mountain up to 700 m above sea level (Table 4). Most
species of these two genera occupy higher canopy level in the forest canopy system of
tropical rain forest with the tallest tree up to 40 m or more and diameter reaches above

15

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

40 cm (CITES Authorities: Report on NDF of Agarwood for Sustainable Harvest in
Indonesia).
Currently, information on the growth of agarwood natural population is still limited.
ASGARIN (2004, cited in the Report on NDF of agarwood for sustainable harvest in
Indonesia), mentioned the annual growth of A. malaccensis reaches 0.5 cm/year and for
its cultured plantation could achieve 2 cm/year.
Table 5.

No

Aquilaria species recorded at field visit and direct discussion (interview) with
related officers
Provinces

Protected Areas/ Other Areas

1.

Kepulauan Riau
(Bintan)



Production Forest (Natuna)

2.

Bangka Belitung



3.

Jambi



Recommended areas for
agarwood conservation:
Gunung Mangkol GFP
(Grand Forest Park),
Gunung Maras, Gunung
Manumbang and Gunung
Lalang.
Bukit Tinjau Limau Protected
Forest (PF)
Minang Gamut PF
Bukit Duabelas National
Park (NP)
Bukitsari Recreational
Forest (RF)





4.

16

South Sumatra



Persons contacted
Bherly (Dishut
Kepulauan Riau,
081277463939)

Agusrizal
Sozi Algopeng
(0813664414440)
Azis (085266814919)




Kemampo Research Forest
(RF)
Sembilang NP
Bukit Cogong GFP

Agus Sofyan & Agus
Sumadi (BPK
Palembang)

Cuk Sasmitohadi
(BPK Banjarbaru)
Lanang Budi Wibowo
(KaBid RHL Dishut
Kalsel)
Alif Winarto (Staf
Tahura Sultan Adam,
085228034771)
Siran, 2005

5.

South Kalimantan





Rantau RF
Kintap RF
Sultan Adam GFP

6.

East Kalimantan







Samboja RF
Labanan RF
Mulawarman University RF
Kutai Kertanegara RF
Soeharto GFP

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

Table 6.

Distribution of Aquilaria species in Indonesia

No

Provinces

Locations

1.
2.
3.

North Sumatra
Riau
Riau Archipelago

Bahorok District, Bahorok NP
Tesso Nilo NP
Districts of Batam, Bintan, Natuna, Singkep

4.

Jambi

5.

South Sumatra

Tinjau Limau and Minang Gambut PF, Bukit
Duabelas NP, Bukitsari RF
Kemampo RF, Sembilang NP, Bukit Cogong RP

6.

Bangka Belitung

7.

Bengkulu

8.

Lampung

9.
10.

West Kalimantan
Central Kalimantan

11.

East Kalimantan

12.
13.
14.
15.

South Sulawesi
North Sulawesi
Papua
Maluku

Districts of Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Tengah,
Bangka Barat, Bangka Selatan and Belitung
Kerinci Sebelat and Bukit Barisan NP, Elephant
Training Center Natural Forest, Rajolele GFP
Tulang Bawang Barat and Lampung Timur
Districts
Sangau District
Lamandau, Pangakalan Bun, Sampit districts
and Tanjung Puting NP
Samboja RF, Sungai Wain PF, Samboja Lestari,
Mulawarman Botanical Garden, Kayan
Mentarang NP
Luwu Timur District
Tomohon District
Waropen District
Seram Barat and Seram Timur Districts

17

18
Figure 3. Geographical distribution of Aquilaria species
Riau Archipelago:
Batam, Bintan & Natuna
South Sumatra:
Kemampo RF
Sembilang NP
Bukit Congong RP

Jambi:
Bukit Tinjau Limau PF
Bukit Minang Gambut PF
Bukit Duabelas NP
Bukitsari RF
Riau:
Tesso Nilo NP

Bengkulu:
Kerinci Sebelat NP
Bukit Barisan NP
Elephant Training Center NP
Rajolele GFP
Lampung:
Tulang Bawang Barat District
Lampung Timur District

Bangka Belitung:
Pangkal Pinang District

West Kalimantan:
Sangau District

East Kalimantan:
Wanariset RF
Sungai Wain PF
Samboja Lestari RF
Mulawarman Botanical Garden
Kayan Mentarang NF
South Sulawesi:
Luwu Timur District

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

Table 7. Distribution of Gyrinops species in Indonesia
No
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Provinces
Southeast Sulawesi
Maluku Islands
West Nusa Tenggara
East Nusa Tenggara
Papua

Locations
Wawatobi
Kejeli
Pulau Lombok
Manggarai Timur District
Nabire dan Sorong

Figure 4. Geographical distribution of Gyrinops species
Maluku Islands:
Kejeli

Southeast Sulawesi:
Wawatobi

East Nusa Tenggara:
Manggarai Timur District

Papua :
Nabire dan Sorong

West Nusa Tenggara:
Pulau Lombok

19

PART 3.

GAPS AND PROBLEMS ON AGARWOOD
SUSTAINABLE HARVEST AND CONSERVATION

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

3.1. Deforestation, Habitat Degradation and Population Lost
Tropical forests in Indonesia are widely spread to all over islands in the archipelago.
Species of Aquilaria and Gyrinops have been reported to be found in almost all of those
islands (Table 2.), whichever the function of the forests (production forest, conservation
area, protected forests and convertible forest area). Even though, the population density
of those species is relatively low (rare), the lost of habitat could cause the lost of entire
population of the species. This condition has been confirmed by Roemantyo and
Partomihardjo (2010), using herbarium specimen and landcover change. In the period of
1997-2000, the rate of deforestation and forest degradation has been predicted to be
2.83 millions ha per year and the rate decreased to 1.51 millions ha in the period of 20002009. The large deforestation areas occur primarily in Sumatra and Kalimantan (Forest
Watch Indonesia, 2011). Even though the deforestation rate decreases afterword, the
significant lost of agarwood trees (Aquilaria and Gyrinops) may have occurred. The lost
population and habitat would not be naturally restored through natural regeneration,
unless, intensive intervention be given, especially through artificial regeneration and or
enrichment planting.

3.2. Agarwood Harvest From The Wild
Other major cause of population depletion of agarwood trees is excessive harvest. In the
period between 1991-1996, approximately 61,000 agarwood trees were cut (Newton and
Soehartono, 2001). The harvest of agarwood from the wild, in some extent, has not been
clearly regulated. The collection or harvest of timber and non-timber forest product is
regulated under each management status. The commercial harvest or collection of any
natural resources (biological and non-biological) is prohibited from conservation areas
(National Parks, Nature or Wildlife Reserve) and protected forests, except for research
and education and traditional uses (Government Regulation No. 26, 2011). Collection and
harvest of natural resources (timber and non timber forest product) from other forest areas
(production forest concessions, industrial forest plantation concession) is regulated under
each concession company. Agarwood collection is mostly without formal legal document
or permit is practically treated as collection of other non-timber forest products, such as
rattan, sap, bird nest, honey and firewood. For resident collectors and other forest
dependent community, there is a traditional understanding that the natural resources are
inherited gift from ancestor. Under this understanding, no permit is required for them to
collect any natural resources from forests, as for living and sources of income. CITES
Authorities (DG FPNC and IIS) issued regulation on distribution (transhipment) and
international trade. Agarwood collection from the wild is technically impossible to be
monitored and traced. The application of tracking mechanism, such as Chain of Custody
for timber tracking, is technically impossible to be applied for agarwood. However, DG of
FPNC as CITES Authorityhas developed tool to control collection of agarwood from nature
with the Ministrial Decree No. 447/Kpts-II/2003 (the administrative direction for collection,
capture and distribution of wildlife plant and animals - Tata Usaha Pengambilan dan
Penangkapan dan Peredaran Tumbuhan dan Satwa Liar). At the time of Indonesia joined
CITES, exports of many species were largely uncontrolled and the total volume of trade
was unknown. Indonesia‘s first step was to legalize current trade and establish a quota

23

In–Situ and Ex–Situ Conservation of Aquilaria and Gyrinops: A Review

system that in the first instance matched the current levels of trade, but which could later
be manipulated. Quotas were initially “harvest guides”, and in the first years exports
frequently exceeded quotas. This was due to stockpiles and the increasing value of
specimens such as snakes skin in the late 1980s creating a higher demand, and resulting
in more harvesting.
The current protocol for establishing annual quotas is now more precautionary. Each
year, Management Authority (PHKA) officers in each Province establish harvest levels in
the field, which are reviewed and assessed further by the CITES Scientific Authority (LIPI).
The review and assessment is now also involving some related Non-Government
Organization (NGOs). Various parameters, including environmental conditions, are now
used to set quotas (e.g. quotas in 1998 decreased due to extensive forest fires in
Indonesia the previous year). This also, then improved by the survey results for certain
species. Population monitoring program is being developed to support the non-detriment
findings as the basis for quota establishment. Once quotas are finalized, DG FPNC issues
an annual decree on the national allowable harvest.

Trade controls and enforcement
All CITES Appendix-II listed species in Indonesia are controlled, in term of harvest quota,
domestic transport and export, by the DG of FPNC as CITES Management Authority (The
Decree of the Minister of Forestry Number 447/Kpts-II/2003) as follows:
a. Regulation of wild harvesting
To control trade of listed species in Appendix II CITES, the DG of FPNC sets annual
catch quotas based on recommendation from Scientific Authority. This quota is set up
based on provincial quotas. Each provincial quota is managed by the local office of
DG FPNC (BKSDA) which also acts as provincial offices of CITES Management
Authority.
The provincial offices of CITES Management Authority (BKSDA) also control and
enforce harvest or collection permits, and implement quota management and
monitoring, for CITES-listed species in all administrative jurisdictions. In accordance
with the Decree of the Minister of Forestry No. 447 of 2003, BKSDA will issue permits
to collect species including snake in the field based on the quota allocated for each
respective province. Species that harvested from the wild (forest) are officially
registered by Sub-provincial Section Offices of BKSDA and then forwarded to the
provincia