Amazing survivability. Iconic giant trees have demonstrated the ability to resurrect after forest fires
December 16, 15:25 Share:
Scientists have learned the secret of the sequoia's vitality (Photo: welcome/Depositphotos)
A study last year found that forest cover in California had decreased by 6.7% over the past 36 years due to fires and other causes.. When a massive wildfire tore through California's Big Basin Redwoods State Park in 2020, iconic redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) were also at risk.. These trees, which are the tallest on Earth, are a true symbol of the state.
Soon after the fires, the incredible happened – the sequoias showed such resilience that scientists did not expect them to, and sprouted. To find out how the trees managed to recover after the disaster, scientists took sprouts for research and learned an unexpected fact. In order for sprouts to appear, plants used ancient reserves of carbon and bud tissue that were formed many centuries ago, Live Science writes.
Experts suggest that the sprouts arose from buds that were hidden deep underground, probably from the time when these giant trees were just seedlings.
“We found that trees were tapping into very ancient carbon stores.” ( approximately 50−100 years), which is certainly the case of using the oldest carbon on record. These giant trees are 5 meters in diameter at the base, and some of them are 2000 years old. This means that the kidney tissue is also 2000 years old. In addition to the thick bark and extreme height of the tree, this is another of the additional adaptations that redwoods are capable of that make them extremely resistant to fire,” said Northern Arizona University ecophysiologist Drew Peltier.
As NV Techno wrote, the 116-meter California sequoia is today officially considered the tallest tree on our planet. This giant plant was identified in 2006.
Read also: The famous sequoia tree with a tunnel in Stovburi has fallen near California There is not enough snow. Scientists have warned that there will be more winter wildfires due to climate change. Climate Revenge. Extreme forest fires are occurring 25% more often