The status of the baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) in Mannar Island, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The baobab (Adansonia digitata) is not native to Sri Lanka, but was introduced centuries ago, perhaps by Arab traders. Today about 40 trees survive in Sri Lanka, of which 34 have been identified and measured in the island of Mannar. The most abundant size class was between 5 and 9.9 m (girth at breast height), which accounted for more than 50% of the trees. About 40% of the trees in Mannar are between 300 and 400 years old. The oldest tree is estimated to be about 723 years of age. Despite the baobab being an introduced species, it is protected in Sri Lanka given its rarity and antiquity. Mannar Island appears to be the last bastion for the baobab in Sri Lanka. That the baobab still survives in the island is largely due to its status as a 'zero-cost species'. A potential threat for the future may come from the aspirations of the people for a better quality of life, and through ill-conceived and over-ambitious tourism development projects.