Why is it in the News?

In a groundbreaking conservation endeavor, the Global Society for the Preservation of Baobabs and Mangroves (GSPBM) has initiated a mission to rejuvenate the iconic Baobab trees.

About the African Baobab Tree:

• African baobab trees, scientifically known as Adansonia Digitata, are some of the oldest living organisms in the world.
• Baobab trees originated millions of years ago in West Africa and spread over time to other parts of the world, creating new species.
  • There are 9 baobab species, of which 6 have originated in Madagascar, 2 in Australia, and 1 in Africa.
• These trees range in height from 5 to 20 meters and are typically found in deciduous forests composed primarily of broad-leaved trees that shed their leaves during one season.
• It is one of nine species of baobab, is native to mainland Africa, and also thrives in the African savanna ecosystem.
• The savanna features warm temperatures year-round and experiences its highest seasonal rainfall in the summer.
• It is characterized by grasses and dispersed trees, allowing ample sunlight to reach the ground.
• Age Record: Carbon-14 dating has revealed that an African baobab specimen in Namibia is approximately 1,275 years old, making it the oldest known angiosperm tree.
• Tree of Life: African baobabs, being succulents, absorb and store water in their expansive trunks during the rainy season.
  • This unique adaptation enables them to produce nutrient-dense fruit during the dry season, even in arid environments.
• Utilization: Baobab trees, with lifespans exceeding a thousand years, offer a multitude of benefits including food, fodder for livestock, medicinal compounds, and raw materials for various purposes.
• Threats: Since 2005, nine of the thirteen oldest African baobab specimens and five of the six largest trees have either perished or experienced significant decline, possibly due to the impacts of climate change.

What are Angiosperms?

• Angiosperms, a taxonomic class of plants, are characterized by seeds enclosed within an ovule, such as those found in apples.
• This group is commonly known as hardwoods.
• Angiosperms typically comprise trees with broad leaves that undergo color changes and shed annually during autumn.
  • Examples of deciduous angiosperms include oaks, maples, and dogwoods. However, certain angiosperms, such as rhododendrons, live oaks, and sweet bay magnolias, retain their leaves.

Gymnosperms:

• Gymnosperms, another taxonomic class, encompass plants with seeds not enclosed in an ovule, as seen in pine cones.
  • The term "gymnosperm" translates to "naked seed," and this group is often referred to as softwoods.
• Gymnosperms commonly feature needle-like leaves that remain green throughout the year. Examples include pines, cedars, spruces, and firs.
• While many gymnosperms maintain their foliage year-round, some, like ginkgos, dawn redwoods, and bald cypresses, do shed their leaves.