this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2024
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Science Memes

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submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 251 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (5 children)

I was curious and looked it up. Apparently it mostly happens between trees of the same species, with several causes.

Most are mechanical. The tips brush against each other, and damage new branches and leaves. Both trees divert growth away from the area.

Some also sense shading via red light. They focus growth away from shade. This means neither tree grows into the gap, since they are partially shading each other.

It also helps limit the spread of leaf eating parasites. Again, particularly useful in a forest of the same species.

So yes, the trees are social distancing, to avoid the spread of disease.

[–] [email protected] 57 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

I was curious and looked it up.

Lol I thought you said you looked up at the trees, and just observed all those facts

[–] [email protected] 39 points 8 months ago (2 children)

So you're saying the trees can accomplish what humanity never could.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 8 months ago

Considering how little conflict we currently have, compared to our population size, we are doing extremely well. Unfortunately, the conflicts remaining are spectacular enough to counter that.

[–] Deceptichum 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

We did a good job down here, sounds like your country must’ve sucked at it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Australia?

[–] Deceptichum 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Ye.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Yeah i thought we went well too.

To be fair though or population density is so low, there's more people in some cities then our country

[–] Deceptichum 1 points 7 months ago

But we’re also incredibly urbanised, with basically half our population living in 2 cities alone. That’s more beneficial to a virus spreading than simply population size.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 8 months ago

Trees hella smart.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

balances -> branches* :)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

I think there's also a corelation on how dense a forest can get because it affects the sunlight in ground too. If it gets too dark then life would rot underneath