A study conducted in Panama found that a tropical tree species, Dipteryx oleifera, appears to benefit from lightning strikes. The trees not only survive lightning strikes but also use their height and voluminous crowns as natural lightning rods to attract strikes that damage competing trees and parasitic vines. In fact, in 2019, a particularly powerful lightning strike affected many surrounding trees, but the D. oleifera tree remained unscathed, with its direct competitors removed.
Following the initial observation, researchers documented the fate of 93 trees struck by lightning, including nine D. oleifera specimens. After two years, all the D. oleifera trees were thriving, in contrast to a 56 percent mortality rate among other tree species. The trees aren’t damaged by lightning but are able to eliminate parasitic lianas that grow on them. These vines are common in the jungle and compete with large trees for light and nutrients.
Connections between the lianas and branches on neighboring trees help spread electrical current, damaging those trees. This process frees up space, light, and nutrients for the D. oleifera trees. On average, nine nearby trees were killed per strike, indicating the benefit of growing next to a D. oleifera tree. The almendro trees actively attract lightning, likely due to their height and crown structure, making them more susceptible to strikes. This competitive advantage ultimately increases the tree’s reproductive success significantly.
Despite the beneficial effects of lightning strikes on D. oleifera trees, the exact mechanisms that allow the trees to survive remain unclear. One possibility is that the wood of these trees has low electrical resistance, allowing them to safely conduct current to the ground. Alternatively, the crown structure of the trees may redirect electricity away from the trunk, protecting the tree from harm. Collaboration with physicists may be necessary to better understand the dynamics of the interaction between trees and lightning and the coping mechanisms employed by these trees.
This study highlights the complex relationship between lightning strikes and tree survival in the tropical jungle ecosystem. By attracting lightning strikes, Dipteryx oleifera trees are able to eliminate competition and gain a competitive advantage in the dense forest. The observed effects of lightning strikes on the trees’ survival and reproductive success demonstrate the intricate balance between natural phenomena and plant resilience. Further research and collaboration with experts from different fields may provide more insights into the fascinating interaction between trees and lightning.
