Pando's whispers: Scientists uncover acoustic secrets of ancient forest
Thanks to scientists and technology, the voice of Pando, one of the largest and oldest living organisms on Earth, has been captured uniquely. Its mysterious sounds are opening new perspectives for science.
Scientists captured an incredible phenomenon in Utah. One of the largest living organisms, known as Pando, is making sounds that have so far escaped human senses. Pando, a forest consisting of approximately 47,000 quaking aspen stems with a common root system extending over more than 40 hectares, has proven to be a biological giant and an acoustic one.
The largest organism in the world
Science Alert reports that researchers used a hydrophone (a special microphone along with an auxiliary device that is used to receive and record sounds) to "hear" the vibrations transmitted through the root system, which for the first time allowed them to detect the unique "voices" of this plant. This breakthrough in 2023 may provide new opportunities to understand plant function more deeply.
An artist, Jeff Rice, engaged by Friends of Pando, was astonished by what he managed to record with the hydrophone. During a storm, the device captured low, resonant rumbling, interpreted as the effect of vibrations from millions of leaves. These observations were presented at a meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, showing how sound can travel through roots.
The future of Pando under a question mark
This initiative not only illuminates the extraordinary communication within Pando but also has practical applications in environmental sciences. Oditt from Friends of Pando believes that sound analysis could help map Pando's complex root systems and monitor the health and dynamics of ecosystems.
Moreover, this research could contribute to the protection of Pando, which is currently declining due to human activity and ecosystem changes and is threatened by intense climate change. Some studies suggest that Pando, or more precisely the trees that form it, has proper hydration and leaf development issues.
The presentation of Pando's sounds is a step forward in studying the largest living organisms on Earth and a reminder of the need to protect these amazing beings. As highlighted by ScienceAlert, this work opens new horizons in understanding plant life and their mysterious "conversations," which could have significant implications for future environmental research and nature conservation.
