• @[email protected]
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    8 months ago

    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.

    • stebo
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      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]
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        198 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.

    • @And009
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      38 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