The Baobab Trees are Critically Endangered

 The Baobab Trees are Critically Endangered

The baobab is a prehistoric species which predates both mankind and the splitting of the continents over 200 million years ago. Native to the African savannah where the climate is extremely dry and arid, it is a symbol of life and positivity in a landscape where little else can thrive.

Researched by Dr Abe V Rotor

Giant Baobab Tree in Madagascar

Perrier's Baobab (Adansonia perrieri) is a critically endangered species of Adansonia endemic to northern Madagascar. With an estimated population of fewer than 250 mature individuals and ongoing habitat decline due to fire and cutting for charcoal and timber or clearing for mining, this species has been assessed by IUCN ( International Union for Conservation of Nature) as Critically Endangered.

“Roots of the Sky”

The big baobab trees in Madagascar are truly remarkable, some reaching heights of up to 30 meters and ages of over 800 years. They are iconic symbols of Madagascar’s unique flora and are often referred to as the “roots of the sky” by locals. The Baobab tree, also known as Adansonia, is indeed a prominent feature in Madagascar, with several species found across the island.

"Mother of the Forest"

Adansonia grandidieri is the biggest and most famous of Madagascar's six species of baobabs. It is sometimes known as Grandidier's baobab or the giant baobab. In French it is called Baobab malgache. The local name is renala or reniala (from Malagasy: reny ala, meaning "mother of the forest").

                             

  

"Living Well" 

Villagers tap their potable water supply from a dugout trunk of baobab, an indigenous practice that actually contributes to the dwindling population of baobab trees - among other exploitative practices like cutting them down for wood and other products. These are exacerbated by the current climate change taking place globally.   

Plant Diversity
Volume 43, Issue 2, April 2021, Pages 117-124

Research paper

Modeling impacts of climate change on the potential distribution of six endemic baobab species in Madagascar
Author links open overlay panel Jun-Nan Wan a d 1, Ndungu J. Mbari a c 1, Sheng-Wei Wang a c, Bing Liu b d, Brian N. Mwangi a c, Jean R.E. Rasoarahona e, Hai-Ping Xin a d, Ya-Dong Zhou a d, Qing-Feng Wang a d
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2020.07.001
Acknowledgement: Internet

Abstract

Madagascar, a globally renowned biodiversity hotspot characterized by high rates of endemism, is one of the few remaining refugia for many plants and animal species. However, global climate change has greatly affected the natural ecosystem and endemic species living in Madagascar, and will likely continue to influence species distribution in the future. Madagascar is home to six endemic baobab (Adansonia spp., Bombacoideae [Malvaceae]) species (Adansonia grandidieri, A. suarezensis, A. madagascariensis, A. perrieri, A. rubrostipa, A. za), which are remarkable and endangered plants. This study aimed to model the current distribution of suitable habitat for each baobab species endemic to Madagascar and determine the effect that climate change will have on suitable baobab habitat by the years 2050 and 2070. The distribution was modeled using MaxEnt based on locality information of 245 occurrence sites of six species from both online database and our own field work. A total of seven climatic variables were used for the modeling process. The present distribution of all six Madagascar's baobabs was largely influenced by temperature-related factors. Although both expansion and contraction of suitable habitat are predicted for all species, loss of original suitable habitat is predicted to be extensive. For the most widespread Madagascar baobab, A. za, more than 40% of its original habitat is predicted to be lost because of climate change. Based on these findings, we recommend that areas predicted to contract in response to climate change should be designated key protection regions for baobab conservation.

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Chinese parasol (Firmiana simplex ) is a relative of the Baobab Tree (tree mentioned in The Little Prince* by Antoine de Saint Exupery', also the queer looking giant tree in The God's Must be Crazy). Lower photos show the tree in bloom which is usually in summer.  University of Santo Tomas, Manila. 

*Baobab trees in The Little Prince 

The Little Prince is a novella written and illustrated by French writer, and military pilot, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The baobab tree serves as a multifaceted symbol, embodying themes of growth, resilience, and existential reflection. In the story, the Little Prince warns against the unchecked growth of Baobab seedlings, which, if left untended, can rupture his tiny planet. Internet