The Unlikely Benefits of Lightning Strikes for Certain Trees

If you find yourself caught in a lightning storm, conventional wisdom advises you to avoid trees, as they can attract lightning. While being struck by lightning would undoubtedly be disastrous for humans, recent research suggests that specific tree species might actually benefit from the electrical discharge.

A team of researchers has discovered that the Dipteryx oleifera, a tall tropical tree native to Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama, not only tolerates lightning strikes but also appears to benefit from them. In fact, it may have even evolved to attract lightning. This groundbreaking research is detailed in a study published in the journal New Phytologist.

Led by Evan Gora, a forest ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, the team was inspired to investigate the relationship between D. oleifera and lightning after encountering a unique specimen in Panama in 2015. The tree had survived a lightning strike with minimal damage, despite the fact that the electrocution had killed a parasitic vine tangled in its branches and twelve nearby trees.

A New Perspective on Lightning Strikes

"The fact that some trees can withstand lightning strikes and emerge unscathed is truly astonishing," Gora said in a statement from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. Seven years later, the researchers found that some tree species are more resistant to lightning strikes than others. Now, they claim to be the first to demonstrate that being struck by lightning can actually be beneficial for certain species.

[Image: A Dipteryx oleifera tree before and after a lightning strike. Credit: Evan Gora]

Gora and his colleagues observed the well-being of 93 trees in central Panama’s Barro Colorado Nature Monument for two to six years after each was struck by lightning. They tracked mortality rates, trunk and crown condition, the presence of vines or lianas, and the survival rate of neighboring trees.

The Benefits of Lightning Tolerance

Nine of the 93 trees were D. oleifera, and all of them survived the lightning strike with little damage. The electrocution reduced their parasitic vines by 78% and killed an average of 9.2 neighboring trees. In contrast, other tree species suffered significantly, losing 5.7 more leaves and experiencing a 64% mortality rate within two years.

According to Gora, "It’s actually beneficial for a Dipteryx oleifera tree to be struck by lightning." The team’s observations were consistent across all D. oleifera trees, which tend to have fewer vine infestations and taller canopies than other trees. Over the past four decades, their neighboring trees were 48% more likely to die than other trees in the forest.

Evolutionary Advantages

The reduction in vine infestation and taller neighbors gives D. oleifera trees more access to light and nutrients, resulting in a competitive advantage over other species. The researchers calculated that D. oleifera‘s lightning tolerance makes them 14 times more likely to produce offspring. This is particularly significant, as they may be up to 68% more likely to get struck by lightning than the average tree.

A Possible Explanation

It’s tempting to think that D. oleifera trees might be attracting lightning on purpose. Gora and his colleagues suggest that these trees may have evolved to attract lightning, much like a lightning rod. The study provides valuable insights into the role of lightning tolerance in maintaining biodiversity, particularly in the context of climate change, which may lead to more frequent lightning storms in certain regions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it’s still essential to avoid trees during a lightning storm, especially D. oleifera, this research offers a fascinating perspective on the complex relationships between trees, lightning, and their environments. As the researchers continue to investigate the mechanisms behind D. oleifera‘s resistance to lightning, we may uncover even more surprising benefits of this unexpected phenomenon.

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