The upside-down giants holding Madagascar's dry forests together

Nature · Published 21 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In Madagascar’s arid landscapes, baobab trees stand as ancient sentinels of survival. Known in folklore as the tree gods planted upside down, these massive succulents do more than just endure the heat; they serve as vital water cisterns for humans and essential refuges for an entire ecosystem.

Baobabs are renowned for their extreme longevity, with some individuals living thousands of years. A notable example is a tree known as 'Grandmother' in southwest Madagascar, whose oldest stem dates back to approximately A.D. 1600—predating the era of Attila the Hun by several decades. These trees are characterized by distinctive crowns that resemble tangled branches or misplaced roots, and they play a critical role as keystone species. This means their presence is fundamental to the stability of the dry tropical forest; if baobabs disappear, the entire surrounding ecosystem faces collapse.

The biological adaptations of these trees are remarkable. In the harsh environment of Madagascar's west coast, baobabs provide shade and refuge for numerous species. They exist within a complex web of survival where other life forms also adapt uniquely: chameleons may delay hatching to survive extreme heat, while giant ant tunnels facilitate water seepage deep into the soil. For humans, the baobab is literally a lifeline; for centuries, local communities have hollowed out the trunks to create cisterns that store water during the grueling dry seasons.

However, these 'trees of life' are currently facing an existential crisis. Scientists warned as early as five years ago about the vulnerability of large baobabs to global warming. Studies published in 2021 indicated that four of the world’s baobab species could face extinction by 2021 due to climate change and deforestation. While organizations like Jardin des Baobabs are working on reforestation projects, researchers are still determining whether these ancient giants can adapt quickly enough to a rapidly warming planet.

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