Climate change causing extinction of trees in Africa

The researchers found that nine of the thirteen oldest baobabs and five of the six largest have perished partially or completely in the last 12 years.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 17-06-2018 16:24 IST | Created: 17-06-2018 16:24 IST
Climate change causing extinction of trees in Africa
The Panke tree, which was the oldest of the dying trees, lived for 2,500 years until its stems collapsed in 2010-2011. (Image Credit: Twitter)

The baobabs trees, located in Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia, have died completely, or in part, according to the study published in the journal Nature Plants.

Some of them date back to the time of the ancient Greeks. The researchers found that nine of the thirteen oldest baobabs and five of the six largest have perished partially or completely in the last 12 years. The baobab has the ability to produce nutrient-rich fruits even during the hardest dry season in Africa can live up to 3,000 years and can reach the length of a bus.

When they have lost their leaves, the trees appear to be upside down, with their branches looking like roots that extend upwards. Given their age and resistance to the often challenging climatic conditions in Africa, they have been the source of local stories and legends.

The Panke tree, which was the oldest of the dying trees, lived for 2,500 years until its stems collapsed in 2010-2011, according to the study. 

The authors believe that climate change is the culprit.

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