“Unraveling Nature’s Shocking Strategy: How a Tropical Tree in Panama Harnesses Lightning to Claim Its Territory”
Dipteryx oleifera, or tonka bean trees, appear to thrive in the wake of lightning. The high voltage travels through their trunks while killing off parasitic vines and neighboring trees, giving the species a natural advantage. Now, researchers are delving deeper into the mystery of what makes Dipteryx oleifera so resilient and how its secrets could help protect forests from the devastating effects of lightning strikes.
Researchers Discover The Resilience Of The Tonka Bean Tree
For over a decade, researchers have been studying trees in the forests of Panama to find ways to make them less vulnerable to environmental pressures. In the tropics, the trees are particularly at risk for lightning strikes, which can inflict major damage and even kill them. Every year, millions of trees die from lightning strikes, making the phenomenon one of the biggest natural threats to their longevity.
However, researchers noticed that some trees have been spared by lightning’s wrath, opening up questions about why they remain strong while others meet their demise. In 2015, scientists from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies were surprised to find that Dipteryx oleifera, also known as the tonka bean tree, survived lightning strikes seemingly unscathed and even flourished following a direct hit.
Evan GoraA Dipteryx oleifera tree just after being struck by lightning in 2019 (left) versus 2021 (right).
In one instance, a strike to a D. oleifera tree shot its parasitic vines across the forest and killed a dozen nearby trees, but the D. oleifera remained unharmed.
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