Baobab trees flourish in the dry and semi-dry areas of Africa, carrying significant cultural and ecological relevance. Some of these magnificent trees have stood for millennia. Recently, there has been a marked rise in global interest for baobab products due to the fruit’s impressive nutritional and health benefits.

Nevertheless, this increasing demand brings with it certain challenges, raising critical issues concerning the sustainability of these ancient trees. Patrick Maundu, who is part of a research project focused on documenting the baobab’s heritage in Kenya, offers insights on how we can ensure the conservation of these trees for future generations.

Where are baobabs located?

The tree is native to at least 37 African countries and two in the Arabian Peninsula. Among the eight known species, the African baobab (Adansonia digitata) is the most widespread. It thrives in some of the harshest conditions, from salty coastlines to extensive dry savannahs and forests. Other baobab species comprise six native to Madagascar and one found in northern and western Australia.

These trees are renowned for their remarkable longevity, with some living for more than 2,000 years. Their ability to store water within their vast trunks, which can measure over 10 meters in circumference, allows them to endure extended droughts. Additionally, their trunks can quickly rejuvenate after damage from human interaction or wildlife, such as elephants searching for water.

In contrast to many trees adorned with lush foliage, baobabs often remain bare for a significant portion of the year. Their thick, leafless branches stretch out like skeletal arms, creating a surreal and enchanting view.

Baobabs have a slow growth rate. They typically commence blooming and fruit production around 20 years of age, but in arid regions, it can take up to 60 years.

What is the significance of the baobab?

In African culture, every aspect of the baobab tree is valuable.

The leaves are consumed as a nutritious vegetable, while the fruit pulp, with its zesty flavor, enhances various foods and drinks. Baobab pulp is rich in antioxidants, vitamins (including C and B complex), fiber, and vital minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium.

The seeds yield oil used in cosmetic products. The inner bark is gathered for its fibers, which are employed in weaving ropes and baskets. The hollows in the trunk serve as habitats for honey bees. Moreover, the fruit shell can be crafted into utensils and other household items. Extracts from the baobab’s bark and roots find utility in traditional medicinal practices.

The baobab’s invaluable contributions have made it the focus of numerous folk tales and myths. Many African cultures hold the tree in high esteem, often linking it to spiritual beliefs, resulting in various ceremonies and rituals conducted in its vicinity.

From an ecological standpoint, the baobab is vital to the ecosystem, supporting a variety of wildlife, including fungi, insects, birds, reptiles, bats, and monkeys. Its large trunk acts as a water reservoir, and its complex root system helps stabilize the soil, minimizing erosion. The fallen leaves enrich the soil with nutrients.

Additionally, the baobab serves as a carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and contributing to combatting climate change.

What factors are contributing to the rising global demand for baobabs?

The baobab is increasingly recognized as a superfood. This trend gained momentum when the European Union and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognized baobab pulp as a food ingredient in 2008 and 2009, respectively, paving the way for its inclusion in beverages, foods, natural remedies, and beauty products.

Zimbabwe has emerged as a leader in this growing industry, actively pursuing opportunities in the lucrative European market.

What threats does the tree face?

Several factors threaten the baobab tree. Its slow growth, large scale, long lifespan, and economic significance expose it to various risks. While some baobab species in Madagascar are classified as critically endangered or endangered, the African baobab is currently not under such designation. However, evidence indicates that certain distinct populations may be declining in various African regions, underscoring the need for enhanced conservation efforts.

Climate change is affecting the ecosystems that baobabs rely on, as they need specific soil and air humidity levels and depend on specialized pollinators, like bats and bush babies, for reproduction. Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns disrupt these fragile balances, negatively impacting the tree’s health and reproductive viability.

Furthermore, changes in community belief systems and local values are shifting perceptions of the baobab. As modernity progresses, the tree’s esteemed status is eroding in some communities, leading to its dismissal as an antiquated emblem. Additionally, the broad canopy and roots of the tree compete for resources with food crops amid shrinking agricultural land, resulting in a greater tendency for communities to fell the trees.

The surge in commercial interest presents a double-edged sword. The increasing demand for baobab pulp raises crucial concerns regarding natural regeneration, loss of genetic diversity, and the overall health of baobab populations. Often, baobabs are harvested using outdated methods—such as knocking fruits to the ground or climbing makeshift poles on the trunk—leading to harm for the trees.

This new commercial focus introduces another danger: biopiracy. An incident in Kenya in 2022 involved the controversial uprooting and exportation of entire baobab trees to Georgia, Eastern Europe. While eight trees were exported, they later died, highlighting insufficient prior research on their adaptability to new environments.

This episode emphasized the lack of robust policies and regulatory frameworks to safeguard these vital trees from exploitation and highlighted the urgent necessity for targeted measures to ensure the preservation of the baobab.

What measures should be implemented?

Protecting the baobab calls for more than individual efforts.

A holistic approach combining cultural and community-derived protection, alongside conservation initiatives and management actions at the local level, is essential. It also requires strategic policy development and collaboration on both national and international levels.

These policies should advocate for livelihood programs for local communities by enhancing value chains and forming market linkages for baobab products. Promoting sustainable harvesting practices, such as leaving adequate fruit for regeneration, would protect both the trees and their surrounding ecosystems. Integrating indigenous wisdom with contemporary tools, such as genetic research, will enhance these initiatives.

James Kioko, a participant in the research team collaborating with Dr. Maundu on the baobab heritage documentation in Kenya, co-authored this article.

Patrick Maundu, Ethnobotanist, National Museums of Kenya

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.