Mapping every adult baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) across the Sahel to uncover the co-existence with rural livelihoods

Abstract

The iconic baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) is an integral part of rural livelihoods throughout the African continent. However, the combined effects of climate change and increasing global demand for baobab products are currently exerting pressure on the sustainable utilization of these resources. Here we employ sub-meter resolution satellite imagery to identify the presence of nearly 2.8 (± 27.1%) million baobab trees in the Sahel, a dryland region of 1.5 million km2. This achievement is considered an essential step towards an improved management and monitoring system of valuable woody species. Using Senegal as a case country, we find that 94% of rural households have at least one baobab tree in their immediate surrounding, and that the abundance of baobabs is associated with a higher likelihood of people consuming a highly nutritious food group: dark green leafy vegetables. The generated database showcases the feasibility of mapping the location of single tree species at a sub-continental scale, providing vital information in times where human mismanagement and climate change cause the extinction of numerous tree species.