Text | China Science Daily reporter Li Sihui Intern Li Jiayan
"I said to the little prince that the baobab tree is not a small shrub, but a tree as big as a church; Even if you bring back a herd of elephants, you can't nibble on a baobab tree. "If you've ever read the fairy tale The Little Prince, you'll probably be impressed by the baobab tree that "penetrates the planet".
Baobab trees before sunset.
The real baobab tree can reach a height of 30 meters and a trunk circumference of more than 50 meters, making it a veritable "plant giant". They grow in the African savanna and have extremely thick trunks, which usually require a dozen adults to hold hands and hug them. Locals even hollowed out the middle of the trunk and moved in as a house, and some people threw parties directly in the trunk.
On May 15, Nature published a paper by Wang Qingfeng, a researcher at the Wuhan Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the China-Africa Joint Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the China-Africa Center). In this study, scientists analyzed the complete genetic information of eight existing baobab species in the world, focusing on the origin of baobab and the history of species diversity, and combined with genetic, ecological and geographic data analysis, scientific suggestions were put forward for the effective protection of these local iconic species.
In 2010, Wang Qingfeng conducted field research in Kenya.
Paint a family tree for a baobab tree
The tall and stout baobab tree is actually "strong on the outside and dry on the middle" – the wood is very loose, which is good for storing water.
"A baobab tree is like a little water tower." Wang Qingfeng told China Science Daily that the water storage organization in the trunk of the baobab tree is very developed, and the maximum water storage capacity of each tree can reach 100 tons. In addition, the baobab tree produces edible fruits. It not only provides water for local animals and humans, but is also one of the important food sources for humans.
Why is such a burly tree called "baobab"? Experts explain that the fruit of the baobab tree is huge and edible, spherical or oval in shape, and is a favorite food for animals such as monkeys, orangutans, elephants, etc. When the fruit is ripe, the monkeys climb the tree in groups to pick the fruit to eat, hence the name baobab. There is also a theory that the name of the baobab tree may have evolved from an Arabic word meaning "fruity with many seeds".
In any case, the baobab tree is an important and widespread "conspicuous bag" in the African savanna. Known as the "Tree of Life", it is not only an integral part of the local ecosystem, but also carries the spiritual sustenance of many people.
"Madagascar's biodiversity has always been a major concern for the international community, with 12,000 species of plants here. Amazingly, more than 80% of them are endemic to the island. Wang Qingfeng introduced. As an important unit of China-Africa cooperation in plant diversity conservation research, researchers at the China-Africa Center have long set their sights on Madagascar and the baobab trees on the island.
When Wang Qingfeng visited the African continent in his early years, he was deeply impressed by the baobab tree. On his first trip to Madagascar in 2013, he was pleasantly surprised to see other baobab species. He learned that there are eight species of baobab trees in the world, with six being exclusive to Madagascar and two being found on the African continent and Australia. How did this particular pattern of species diversity come about, and where is its center of origin...... These questions aroused Wang Qingfeng's curiosity. "We want to understand the relationship between the eight species, just like drawing a family tree for humans, and we need to visit the 'old home' of the baobab tree."
Since 2018, the research team has been working with partners in Africa to collect more than 300 samples in the field. After deciphering the genetic information of eight species, the research team conducted a comprehensive analysis and model calculation of the genetic information characteristics of baobab trees, ecological factors and geological changes in their distribution areas, and finally concluded that the species origin and differentiation of the existing baobab trees occurred in Madagascar, about 21 million years ago.
In addition, the research team also proposed that two Madagascar baobab species need to be protected based on genetic information calculations and adaptation simulations, and called for more consideration of interspecies competition and hybridization effects in the scientific conservation monitoring of baobab trees.
Wang Qingfeng said: "From the perspective of conservation biology, we hope to provide Chinese solutions for the ecological protection of biological hotspots of global concern. ”
Researchers investigate the survival of wild baobab individuals.
China-Africa scientific and technological cooperation continues to surprise
The study was strongly supported by the China-Africa Center. The center is the first comprehensive scientific and educational institution established by the Chinese government outside the country, and it is also one of the vivid examples of China-Africa scientific and technological cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. At the same time, researchers from Madagascar, Kenya, the United Kingdom and other countries have also made many contributions.
It is understood that the establishment of the China-Africa Center stems from Wang Qingfeng's fate with an African student. In 1999, Wang Qingfeng, who was still teaching at Wuhan University, received a Ph.D. application from Kenyan student Robert W. Gituru, who became the first African student he supervised. Gituru returned to China after graduation and became a teacher in the Department of Botany at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, where the two sides have been working together. In December 2009, Wang Qingfeng and his colleagues from the Chinese Academy of Sciences visited South Africa and Kenya, and formally signed a memorandum of understanding with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology for collaborative research.
In May 2013, the China-Africa Center was approved by the Chinese Academy of Sciences to be established, relying on the Wuhan Botanical Garden. Since its establishment, the center has been cooperating with more than 10 African countries in the fields of biodiversity and ecological environmental protection, agricultural science, etc., and has actively carried out talent training, including recruiting African students.
Guy Eric Onjalalaina, an international student from Madagascar, was among the authors of the baobab study. He is also the first Malagasy student trained by the Wuhan Botanical Garden.
In addition, in 2015, CICACA, in collaboration with the National Museum of Kenya, initiated the compilation of the Flora of Kenya. At present, the first volume of Flora of Kenya has been published, and a total of 31 volumes are expected to be published. Wang Qingfeng showed the reporter of China Science Daily the compiled and published "Flora of Kenya" (Volume 23 "Rubiaceae"). He said that there are about 7,000 plant species in Kenya, and the research team plans to complete the compilation of the book in 10 to 15 years.
Talking about the upcoming African plant research, Wang Qingfeng said: "China-Africa scientific and technological cooperation has great prospects, and I believe that the cooperation between China and African countries in the field of plant diversity conservation will bring more surprises to everyone." I hope that more young people who like to explore the mysteries of plants and like the fantastic starry sky of Africa will join in. ”
A lonely baobab tree in a savanna. Photo courtesy of the interviewee
Related Paper Information:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07447-4