A pioneering study by the **Yale School of the Environment** has discovered that the **interior of trees** is not an inert space, but a **vibrant microbial ecosystem**.
Each trunk harbors around **1 billion bacteria**, capable of **transforming nutrients** and **generating gases**, with potential implications for **global ecological cycles**.
## Beyond Roots and Leaves: A New Dimension of Forest Ecology
So far, forest research has focused on the **external parts of the tree** —roots, leaves, and bark. However, trees represent the **largest biomass reservoir on the planet**, with over **300 gigatons of stored carbon**. Understanding what happens **inside the wood** could transform our vision on:
– [The global carbon cycle](https://noticiasambientales.com/residuos/captura-de-carbono-bajo-tierra-proponen-enterrar-residuos-de-madera-para-mitigar-el-cambio-climatico/)
– Forest resilience to climate change
– Symbiotic relationships between trees and microbes
## Microbial Ecosystems Differentiated by Wood Type
The team led by **Jonathan Gewirtzman and Wyatt Arnold** analyzed **150 trees of 16 species** in the northeastern U.S. They discovered that:
– The **heartwood**, with low oxygen, is dominated by **anaerobic microorganisms**
– The **sapwood** contains **aerobic bacteria**, dependent on oxygen
These communities are not only present but are **metabolically active**, participating in the **transformation of nutrients** and the **production of gases** within the trunk.
## Coevolution Between Trees and Their Microbiomes
Researchers observed that the **microbiome varies by tree species**. For example:
– **Sugar maples** have very different bacterial communities compared to **pines**
– These differences are **stable and specific**
This suggests a possible **symbiotic coevolution**, where trees and their microbes have developed **adaptive relationships** over time.
## Ecological and Climatic Implications
The presence of these bacteria could:
– Strengthen tree resistance to diseases
– Facilitate adaptation to water and heat stress
– Influence the ability of trees to [store carbon](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/arboles-y-plantas-podran-almacenar-mas-dioxido-de-carbono-a-finales-de-siglo/)
This makes the **trunk microbiomes** crucial **actors in the fight against climate change**, even though they have remained invisible until now.
## Untapped Biotechnological Potential
Just like microorganisms discovered in **soils or extreme environments**, these bacteria could:
– Produce **bioactive compounds** for medicine
– Improve practices in **regenerative agriculture**
– Offer solutions for the **biotechnological industry**
The study opens a **new scientific frontier**, where trees not only capture carbon and provide shade but also **harbor microbial biodiversity with enormous potential**.
