Scientists have discovered a surprising behavior in the Panamanian rainforest. A tree uses lightning to “eliminate” enemies. That is, against species that compete with it for light, space, and nutrients.
It is the tonka bean tree (Dipteryx oleifera). It has a unique ecological adaptation.
It reaches great height and longevity, and is more than resistant to this type of impact. The details.
A tree uses lightning to attack enemies: the impressive behavior
The research, published in the journal New Phytologist, was based on a decade of field studies led by forest ecologist Evan Gora from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies.
A small specimen of tonka bean tree. (Photo: gintonicpack).
The study concludes that the tree converts lightning strikes into a tool of domination within the forest canopy. Competition among specimens is intense there.
Unlike other species in the tropical forest, the tonka bean tree developed a high internal conductivity, allowing it to channel the electrical discharge of a lightning strike without suffering significant damage.
This quality, comparable to what a well-insulated cable does, dissipates electrical energy quickly, avoiding the overheating that destroys the tissue of other species.
How the mechanism occurs
Each time lightning strikes its trunk (something that, they estimate, can happen up to five times during its life), the immediate environment of the tree changes drastically.
The study revealed that, on average, each discharge eliminates more than two tons of biomass from neighboring trees and destroys about 80% of the parasitic vines covering its canopy.
This reduces the mortality of the tree itself and allows it to increase its seed production rate up to fourteen times, according to the scientific team’s estimates.
What happens with the tree. (Photo: New Phytologist).
What the tree is like
The Dipteryx oleifera can reach heights of up to 40 meters and live for several centuries. These characteristics make it a frequent target of lightning in the jungle.
However, its internal structure and recovery capacity have transformed it into a resilient species within tropical ecosystems.
The consequences on nearby trees
In addition, the conclusions determined how neighboring specimens behave.
Through long-term forest studies, which included data from over 40 years of forest plots in the Barro Colorado Natural Monument, scientists found a consistent pattern.
Trees near the tonka bean tree show higher mortality, while the tonka bean tree remains practically untouched.
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