<
https://theconversation.com/the-worlds-largest-organism-is-slowly-being-eaten-by-deer-172294>
"In the Wasatch Mountains of the western US on the slopes above a spring-fed
lake, there dwells a single giant organism that provides an entire ecosystem on
which plants and animals have relied for thousands of years. Found in my home
state of Utah, “Pando” is a 106-acre stand of quaking aspen clones.
Although it looks like a woodland of individual trees with striking white bark
and small leaves that flutter in the slightest breeze, Pando (Latin for “I
spread”) is actually 47,000 genetically identical stems that arise from an
interconnected root network. This single genetic individual weighs around 6,000
tonnes. By mass, it is the largest single organism on Earth.
Aspen trees do tend to form clonal stands elsewhere, but what makes Pando
interesting is its enormous size. Most clonal aspen stands in North America are
much smaller, with those in western US averaging just 3 acres.
Pando has been around for thousands of years, potentially up to 14,000 years,
despite most stems only living for about 130 years. Its longevity and
remoteness mean a whole ecosystem of 68 plant species and many animals have
evolved and been supported under its shade. This entire ecosystem relies on the
aspen remaining healthy and upright. But, although Pando is protected by the US
National Forest Service and is not in danger of being cut down, it is in danger
of disappearing due to several other factors."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
