Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) density, size-class distribution and population trends between four land-use types in northern Venda, South Africa

Overall, the population is stable with healthy numbers of mature trees. Mortality is very low, and is attributed to the lack of elephants. Quotients and the permutation index suggest that recruitment and mortality is episodic. It is concluded that current levels of recruitment are enough to maintain this population of long-lived trees. Comparisons are made with communal land elsewhere in Africa and neighbouring conservation areas, which exhibit different demographic patterns. This paper serves as a benchmark in the light of demographic changes that may arise from increased commercial use of fruit and a predicted reduction in rainfall due to climate change.