alt alt
  • Home
  • Why Genomics
    • Understanding Genomics
    • The Value of Genomics
    • The Impact of Genomics Research
  • Funding
    • Current Funding Opportunities
    • Search Projects old
    • Working with Genome BC
  • Partner with us
    • Sector solutions
  • Blog
    • Our latest posts
    • Focus on health
    • Focus on climate change
  • Education
    • What is Geneskool?
    • Classroom Workshops
    • Campus Field Trips
    • Geneskool Summer Science Program for Teens
    • Travelling Exhibits
    • Free Classroom Resources
    • Glossary
  • About
    • Our Progress
      • Economic Impact
      • Societal Engagement
      • Accountability and Reporting
    • Our People
      • Our Staff
      • Our Board
    • Careers at Genome BC
    • News and Events
      • News Releases
      • Events
  • Connect
MENUMENU
  • Funding Programs
    • Current Opportunities
      • Genome Canada Programs
      • Genome BC Programs
      • Industry Innovation Program (I²)
      • Other Programs and Opportunities
    • Search Projects
    • Working with Genome BC
      • Overview
      • Data Release and Sharing Policies
      • Research Oversight
      • Communication Resources
  • Genomics and Society
    • Information Bulletins
    • What is GEL³S Research?
    • Why is GEL³S Important?
  • Impact
    • Genomics and Health
    • Genomics and Forestry
    • Genomics for Fisheries and Aquaculture
    • Genomics for Agrifood
    • Genomics for Energy, Mining, and Environment
  • Discover
    • Blog
    • Nice Genes! podcast
    • 20 Cool Genomics Facts
    • 5 Myths about Genomics
    • News Releases
    • Events
  • Geneskool™️
    • Volunteer with us!
    • Free Resources
    • Classroom Workshops
    • Campus Field Trips
    • Travelling Suitcase Exhibits
    • Summer Science Program
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Our Values
    • Corporate Publications
      • Annual Reports
      • Strategic Plan
      • Sector Strategies
      • Corporate Evaluations
      • Our Portfolio
      • Economic Progress
      • Societal Engagement
      • Genomics Education
        for Healthcare Professionals
    • Our People
      • Our Team
      • Our Board
    • Careers at Genome BC
    • Connect

Largest Organism on Earth at Risk of Being Eaten Up

PHOTO CREDIT: Janis Connell
sector_ico_Environment_trans Environment
November 26, 2021

We are all familiar with Earth’s largest living animals. The African elephant is the largest living land mammal, and the blue whale is the largest animal in the sea, but both of these animals are dwarfed by Earth’s largest living organism by weight, “Pando”.

Pando is not an animal, but rather a stand of trees; specifically a stand of genetically identical quaking aspen clones. This stand of trees is growing in Utah, and while it looks like there is an entire forest of 47,000 individual plants, they are technically all one tree. In total there are 106-acres of Pando, all connected by a root network that sends up genetically identical clone stems as it grows. Scientists estimate that this extraordinary biological phenomenon weighs in at 6,000 metric tons, and has been growing over a period of around 14,000 years! In and around Pando is an entire ecosystem which is reliant on the food and shelter provided by the aspen. Unfortunately, although Pando is protected by the US National Forest Service, this mega-organism is at risk.

The ecosystem is out of balance due to the loss of predators like cougars and wolves. These apex predators historically helped keep the populations of herbivores like elk and deer in check. Without their natural predators, the herbivores are damaging Pando by over-browsing its new shoots as they arise, meaning there are whole sections of Pando where there is now no new growth occurring. This is a clear example of why maintaining the natural balance in ecosystems is so important, as an unbalanced ecosystem can be damaging to the plants and animals living within it.

It is worth remembering however, that Pando has survived for thousands of years, and has faced other periods of climate change, disease and overgrazing, and yet it still survives. Scientists are keen to learn more about this remarkable organism, including any secrets to it’s incredible resilience. Learning more about unusual organisms like Pando helps us to learn more about life on Earth, and helps to highlight the importance of protecting unusual ecosystems which still hold so many as yet undiscovered secrets. These secrets could help us better protect these, and other ecosystems in the face of the ongoing climate crisis. 

Source: Science Alert
Read more: https://www.sciencealert.com/the-world-s-largest-organism-is-slowly-being-eaten-scientist-says

RECENT QUICKSNIPS

sector_ico_GenomicsSociety_trans
Growing Awareness: Engaging with our audience
sector_ico_Health_trans
Transforming Surgical Care: Genome BC expands support of Arbutus Medical…
alt 400–575 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 0C4 Canada

Genome BC respectfully acknowledges that our office space is located on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nations, the traditional custodians of these lands.

604.738.8072

© 2000–2023 Genome British Columbia All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy | Commenting

 Share This
 Facebook
 LinkedIn