A recent study has found that the tonka bean tree (Dipteryx oleifera) has evolved to benefit from being struck by lightning, rather than suffering damage. The researchers discovered that this tropical tree consistently survives electrical encounters unscathed, while its competitors and parasitic vines are harmed or killed. This unique adaptation allows the tonka bean tree to thrive in Panama’s lowland rainforests.
According to the study, nearly 100 lightning events were tracked using a custom-built system of electric field sensors and cameras. The researchers found that the tonka bean tree showed little to no damage after being struck by lightning, while its neighbors suffered significant harm. In fact, each lightning strike killed over 2.4 tons of nearby tree biomass and nearly 80% of parasitic vines.
The scientists speculate that the key behind this tree’s lightning resistance lies in its physical structure, which enables lightning current to flow through without building up damaging heat. As a result, being struck by lightning may even increase the tonka bean tree’s lifetime seed production, giving it a significant reproductive advantage.
This finding has implications for understanding how resilient tropical ecosystems are in the face of climate change. By studying this species’ unique adaptation, researchers can gain insights into how forest structure and species composition respond to environmental factors. The study’s lead author, Evan Gora, hopes to expand the research to other forests in Africa and Southeast Asia to determine whether lightning benefits other species as well.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/plants/tropical-tree-in-panama-has-evolved-to-kill-its-enemies-with-lightning