New Study Refutes Viral Story on Ancient African Baobabs’ Decline Due to Climate Change

By Wallace Mawire

   A recent study published in Nature Plants challenges the widely circulated narrative that ancient African baobabs (Andansonia Digitata) are dying off due to climate change.

 The research, conducted by Dr. Sarah M. Venter and Dr. Ed T. F. Witkowski, presents compelling evidence that most baobab populations in mainland Africa are thriving and that the oldest and largest trees continue to endure as symbols of resilience.

 Baobab trees, often referred to as the "Tree of Life," are iconic symbols of the African landscape. These ancient trees, native to the continent, have a rich history and cultural significance. Some baobabs are estimated to be over 1,000 years old, making them among the oldest living organisms on Earth. Baobabs play a crucial role in their ecosystems, providing shelter and food for a variety of wildlife. The trees are deeply embedded in the traditions and daily lives of local communities, who use the leaves, fruits, seeds and trunks for food, medicine and other practical purposes.

 In 2018, Patrut et al. published a study in Nature Plants suggesting that ten out of 15 of the oldest and largest baobabs in Southern Africa had died or collapsed, possibly due to climate change. This claim, while speculative, was picked up by the media and went viral, leading to widespread belief that climate change was killing these iconic trees.

 However, Venter and Witkowski’s new research, titled "Baobabs as symbols of resilience," refutes this claim. The study provides evidence that the majority of baobab populations in Africa are healthy and that the apparent demise of a few large trees can be attributed to natural causes such as hydraulic failure and excessive water rather than climate change. Key findings include Resilience to climate variability where  baobabs have survived for thousands of years, enduring significant climate fluctuations including severe droughts and floods and adapting to their environments. In the areas where the large trees have died cited by Patrut et al. no extreme changes to their climate have been recorded,Natural causes of mortality where  the collapse and death of some venerable baobabs are more likely due to their structural limitations and excess water, rather than drought and Healthy populations where surveys show that many baobabs remain healthy and stable, with low levels of mortality. In a 2023 assessment, only one out of 106 previously measured baobabs had died in 17 years. Only five of the trees cited by Patrut et al. have died, the others are regrowing from remaining alive portions. (Pictured right: the Platland tree in South Africa and Doorlsandboom tree in Namibia, both regrowing, leafing and flowering, pictured 2024).

Dr. Sarah M. Venter, Baobab Ecologist and lead author of the study, said: “Contrary to popular belief, adult baobabs do not appear to be dying at an accelerated rate because of climate change. On the contrary, the trees are icons of endurance and climate resilience. However, threats such as habitat destruction, herbivory, and insufficient recruitment of young trees due to browsing by domestic and wild animals do pose a severe risk to their long-term survival. For the ancient baobabs of Africa not to be the last survivors of their species, conservation efforts focused on mitigating these threats are urgently needed.”

Baobab fruit is rapidly gaining recognition in global markets for its health benefits and potential as a sustainable superfood. Sweet and citrussy in flavour, it is rich in vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, calcium and antioxidants. It is also high in fibre, acting as a natural prebiotic that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. The growing demand for baobab fruit is enabling an increasing number of local communities to earn income from harvesting and processing it for export markets. At scale, the African Baobab Alliance believes baobab has the potential to be a USD1bn market globally, creating livelihoods for thousands of communities.

Gus Le Breton, Board Chair of the African Baobab Alliance said: “It is crucial that we continue to create value for baobab trees by developing a robust market for the fruit, which includes raising awareness and educating consumers about its benefits. By assigning economic value, we ensure local communities are invested in the species' survival, which is crucial for sustainable tree planting endeavours. The recent narrative about baobabs dying out due to climate change was unhelpful, as it may have suggested to consumers that they should avoid consuming the fruit to preserve the species. In fact, the opposite is true - the more consumers eat baobab, and the more it is included in consumer goods, the more valuable it becomes as a resource. Increased demand translates to increased investment, which can be directed to fund the interventions needed for the sustainable development and conservation of this remarkable species.”

 The full study can be accessed in Volume 10 of Nature Plants, pgs. 732–735 (May 2024).

 The African Baobab Alliance is the industry association for stakeholders in the fast-growing baobab value chain. Its members, which include organisations from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, Senegal, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, USA, UK, France, Germany and more, are active in producing, processing and adding value to baobab products as natural ingredients for the food, beverage, cosmetics and personal care industries.

  Hosted by Bio-Innovation Zimbabwe, a non-profit research organisation focused on the economic opportunities for smallholders from the commercial development of indigenous plants, the Alliance aims to achieve several objectives Promote the growth of the baobab industry to benefit baobab harvesters across Africa, Enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the baobab industry, Advocate for the adoption of consistent quality practices and standards throughout the baobab industry and to Expand the demand for baobab in local and international food and cosmetic markets.