News Excerpt: 

In a groundbreaking conservation endeavour, the Global Society for the Preservation of Baobabs and Mangroves (GSPBM) has initiated a mission to rejuvenate the iconic baobab trees. These ancient giants, threatened by deforestation and climate change, are receiving a lifeline through seedling transplantation.

About Baobab Tree: 

• All Baobabs are deciduous trees ranging in height from 5 to 20 meters. The Baobab tree is a strange looking tree that grows in low-lying areas in Africa and Australia. 
  • The Baobab Tree is also known as the upside-down tree.
• There are seven species of baobabs in Madagascar, 

• • Six of them are endemic to the island. 

• • • Attributed to Madagascar’s long geological history of isolation.
  • Baobab trees can grow to enormous sizes and carbon dating indicates that they may live to be 3,000 years old.
  • The trunk is smooth and shiny, not at all like the bark of other trees, it is pinkish grey or sometimes copper coloured.
  • Baobabs seem to prefer hot, sandy plains.
• Baobabs are widely distributed in belts across Africa. They also grow in Madagascar, Zimbabwe, India, Ceylon and Australia. 
• Baobabs are very difficult to kill, they can be burnt, or stripped of their bark, and they will just form new bark and carry on growing.
• When they do die, they simply rot from the inside and suddenly collapse,leaving a heap of fibres, which makes many people think that they don't die at all, but simply disappear.

Baobab’s Ecosystem:

• Fiber from the bark is used to make rope, baskets, cloth, musical instrument strings, and waterproof hats. 
• Birds nest in its branches.
• Baboons devour the fruit. 
• Bush babies and fruit bats drink the nectar and pollinate the flowers, elephants have been known to chop down and consume a whole tree. The Baobab tree has large whitish flowers which open at night.

Baobab’s Uses:

• The Baobab fruit, which grows up to a foot long, contains tartaric acid and vitamin C and can either be sucked, or soaked in water to make a refreshing drink.
•  They can also be roasted and ground up to make a coffee-like drink.
• Fresh baobab leaves provide an edible vegetable similar to spinach which is also used medicinally to treat kidney and bladder disease, asthma, insect bites, and several other maladies. 
• The tasty and nutritious fruits and seeds of several species are sought after, while pollen from the African and Australian baobabs is mixed with water to make glue.

 About the study and the benefits it could bring to the baobab conservation effort.

• The Global Society for the Preservation of Baobabs and Mangroves (GSPBM) has initiated a mission to rejuvenate the iconic baobab trees.
• EOS Data Analytics (EOSDA), committed to leveraging space technology for Earth’s preservation, collaborated with, president of the GSBPM and the principal investigator of the ARO Baobab Project
• Their findings reveal that positive effects from seedling transplantation become evident within months.

• Key points related to the dramatic contrast in baobab development:

• Satellite data analytics from EOSDA Crop Monitoring revealed a significant shift in vegetation health and density in the Andranopasy baobab forest area, as indicated by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) metric.
• Prior to 2023, the NDVI maps consistently showed very scarce vegetation in the area during mid-July across several years,
• The historical data suggests that the field might have suffered from fires or logging activities rather than extreme droughts, given that the climate conditions, including precipitation and temperatures, remained relatively stable.
• In 2023, after the transplantation of baobab seedlings in February, the landscape underwent a dramatic transformation, with the NDVI showing positive dynamics and indicating healthier and denser vegetation.
• This change occurred within months after the baobab seedlings were transplanted, suggesting that the soil in the area is healthy, 
•  The seedlings are thriving and contributing to the overall ecosystem's recovery.
• The NDVI values from February 2023 onwards were significantly higher than in previous years, 
• illustrating the enhancement in vegetation health as a direct testament to the impact of the newly transplanted baobab seedlings.
• The ability of baobab seedlings to create a microclimate that supports the growth of other plant species could be accelerating the positive effects on local biodiversity.

• How is climate change driving the loss of baobab forests?

• • Reduced rainfall due to climate change is hampering the growth of baobab seedlings and stressing mature baobab trees, 

• • • Affecting their ability to thrive and reproduce.

• • Climate change exacerbates forest fragmentation, isolating baobab habitats and disrupting the ecological balance. 

• • • This leads to a reduction in animal dispersers like lemurs, 

• • • • Which play a crucial role in dispersing baobab seeds across suitable habitats for germination and growth, hindering the regeneration of baobab populations.

• • The increased dryness caused by climate change, 

• • • combined with forest fragmentation, is heightening the risk of devastating fires that can consume vast tracts of baobab forests, including centuries-old baobab trees. 
    • Human activities are often contributing factors to these fires, posing a severe threat to long-standing baobab populations.

Why are baobab trees so important to Madagascar?

• Ecological Importance:

• Baobabs are keystone species in Madagascar's unique landscapes.
• Their massive trunks and extensive root systems are vital for storing water in arid environments, 
• Providing a critical resource for the trees and surrounding ecosystem during drought periods.
• This ability to store water enables baobabs to support a wide array of life,
• From microorganisms to larger animals.
• Fostering biodiversity in their habitats.

• Economic Potential:

• Baobabs offer potential for sustainable development through the utilization of their highly nutritious fruits and seeds.
• There is demand for baobab products on the international market, 
• Presenting opportunities for local communities to engage in sustainable harvesting practices that can support livelihoods while ensuring the conservation of these trees.

• Cultural Significance:

• Baobabs are deeply woven into the Malagasy way of life and hold significant cultural and spiritual value.
• They are often found near villages and are considered symbols of life and prosperity.
• Many communities associate baobabs with ancestral spirits, 
• Use them as sites for rituals and ceremonies.
• Underscoring their role in the social lives of the people.
• In essence, baobab trees are of utmost importance to Madagascar due to their ecological role in supporting biodiversity.
• Their economic potential for sustainable development, and their deep-rooted cultural and spiritual significance for the Malagasy people.
• Baobabs are iconic symbols of Madagascar’s extraordinary natural heritage. 
• Their majestic presence and longevity, with some individuals living for over a thousand years.
• Serve as a living link to the island’s ancient past. 
• They remind us of the resilience of nature and the importance of preserving such irreplaceable treasures for future generations.

• What are the basic objectives of the ARO (Assessment, Research, and Outreach) Baobab Project?

• Conservation and Restoration: A core goal is to conserve and restore the baobab forests of Madagascar. 
• The project seeks to turn evidence from research into actionable conservation strategies to protect these vital ecosystems.
• Research on Seed Dispersal: The ARO Project studies baobab seed dispersal, especially through animals. 
• Given the extinction of large native animals, the project investigates how rodents aid seed dispersal and forest regeneration. 
• This research is crucial for supporting natural regeneration in baobab habitats.
• Community Engagement and Sustainable Livelihoods: The ARO Project collaborates with local communities through conservation efforts, pilot nurseries, reforestation, and sustainable baobab fruit trade. 
• This empowers locals to protect their environment and improve their well-being.
• Nature-based Solutions and Fair Trade: The ARO Project offers nature-based solutions that benefit baobab forests and local communities. 
• By promoting sustainable, equitable trade of baobab fruits, it creates economic incentives for conservation, giving locals a vested interest in protecting baobab trees.

• What will happen to Madagascar's baobab trees if global temperatures exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius?

• • Baobab seedlings are already struggling due to lack of rainfall in southern and western Madagascar, and the situation could worsen with further increases in temperature.

• • More severe and prolonged droughts from increased temperatures would reduce water availability, affecting baobab growth, survival, and regeneration of populations as seedlings are vulnerable to water stress.

• • Rising temperatures could alter the phenology (flowering and fruiting patterns) of baobabs, disrupting food and habitat provision for associated species, pollinators, and seed dispersers, leading to cascading effects on biodiversity.

• • Changing climatic conditions could shift the suitable distribution ranges of baobab populations.

• • • Range shifts could result in loss of genetic diversity.
    • Weakening the species' ability to adapt to future climate changes.