A follow-up study on the status of baobab trees in Africa has brought good news: many of these ancient and massive trees, which are crucial to both ecosystems and African cultures, are thriving. This update contrasts with earlier warnings that Adansonia digitata, a widely distributed species of baobab, was in danger due to climate change effects like rising temperatures and droughts.

Baobab trees, some of which are over a thousand years old, have been part of Africa’s landscape for approximately 12 million years. Their expansive crowns can grow up to the size of three tennis courts, and they play a significant role in supporting local communities through the harvest of baobab fruit, which is an important resource.

Recent studies now suggest that the initial concerns were possibly overstated, with many ancient baobab specimens showing resilience and continuing to thrive, even in challenging conditions. For example, the Dorsland Tree in Namibia’s Nyae Nyae Conservancy, despite collapsing several times, is continuing to regrow. These findings highlight the resilience of the species and offer hope for their future, even as the impacts of climate change continue to pose challenges.

The turnaround in the outlook for these trees is an important reminder of nature’s ability to recover and adapt, providing optimism for conservation efforts across the continent.

Image source:bbc.com