GRANDIDIER'S BAOBAB
Common Name: Grandidier's Baobab
Scientific Name: Adansonia grandidieri
Why is this species important?
Baobabs, with their distinctive shape, are one of the most charismatic group of trees in the world. Six out of the eight species of baobab are endemic to Madagascar, and all six are classified as threatened. In the Menabe region Grandidiers Baobab is the only species used extensively by local people.
Where is it found?
Grandidier’s Baobab is restricted to the south west of Madagascar, in the Menabe and Atsimo Andrefana Regions.
How do people use it?
There has been little comprehensive data on the uses of the species, but research, funded by the Global Trees Campaign, has recently taken place into local uses for the species. This revealed that of the three Baobab species in the Menabe region Grandidiers Baobab is the only species used extensively by local people.
The outer bark is removed and broken into small pieces and sold as a calcium-rich medicine. It can also be stripped, dried and then sold as rope or as sheets for making rope. There is heavy demand for rope made from baobabs because it is favoured over nylon for tethering cattle. The fruits are collected in late November and juice is made for local consumption. The seeds are collected and eaten with rice. Preliminary research in the capital city, Antananarivo, has found two large cosmetic companies that sell baobab products.
Why is it threatened?
Listed as Endangered, this species is threatened by fire, slash-and-burn farming, over-grazing (which inhibits regeneration) and damage from bark removal by local communities. Over-grazing and fire are the main recorded threats, but little is known about the levels of bark and fruit collection.
What conservation action is needed?
Further research into the extent of bark and fruit exploitation is needed. Community awareness raising and education in local schools about the importance of the tree is also a priority.
Formal conservation of the remaining wild population of Grandidier's Baobab will be another essential step towards protecting the species. There is an ongoing process in the region to extend the existing protected areas and it is hoped that research from the Global Trees Campaign project will feed technical knowledge on baobabs into this process.
Read more about GTC's work to save the Grandidier's Baobab
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