Baobab Trees: Baobab trees, which have been standing on earth for millions of years, hide countless secrets within them. Scientists have been continuously doing research on these trees, because baobabs play a major role in the places where these trees are found. Almost all parts of these huge trees are useful for humans and animals. The University of Antananarivo in Madagascar and Queen Mary University of London have done a major research on these trees in collaboration. This study has revealed for the first time the inter-species of eight species of baobab.
The giant baobab trees are known for their thick trunk and small canopy. It is believed that baobab trees can live up to a thousand years. Mostly these trees are found as a keystone species in dry forest environments in Madagascar, northwestern Australia and a part of continental Africa. According to a CNN report, almost every part of the baobab trees is used by humans and animals. That is why these trees are known as the mother of the forest.
Baobabs originated in Madagascar
Until now scientists believed that these trees came from mainland Africa. However, a study published in the journal Nature last month raised questions about the origin of these trees from Africa. A team of scientists conducted an in-depth study of eight species of baobab and examined their relationship with each other. After this research, it was concluded that baobabs originated in Madagascar. This research has come at a time when the number of these trees is declining on the island. According to new research, six species of baobab are found in Madagascar and one species may become extinct by the year 2080.
Baobab trees are decreasing continuously
Dr. Wan Jun-nan, a scientist at Wuhan Botanical Garden in Hubei, China, said that researchers had to work hard to find out the origin of baobab trees. Because fossils of ancient baobab trees or their ancestors have not been found. The genetic information obtained from baobab in previous research was limited. The findings of the study have shown that their species have been decreasing on the island of Madagascar for thousands of years. Continuous deforestation has had a bad effect on their numbers. Scientists are now working on preserving the remaining species.
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