Is it possible that trees perceive the approach of a solar eclipse? This question arose after a surprising observation in the Italian mountains, where unusual electrical signals were detected in plants during such an event.
During a partial eclipse in October 2022, measurements recorded unusual electrical activity in fir trees located in the Dolomites. The recordings revealed a synchronization of signals between mature and younger trees, suggesting the idea of a form of communication related to the celestial event.
For this experiment, the team led by Alessandro Chiolerio developed custom sensors, named "CyberTree," to measure bioelectrical signals. These instruments made it possible to detect waveforms that synchronized in a particular way on the day of the eclipse. A report of this empirical observation was published in
Royal Society Open Science.
An article published in
Trends in Plant Science, written by Ariel Novoplansky, offers an explanation. It notes that thunderstorms accompanied by lightning occurring at the same time could be the source of the recorded signals. This possibility is considered more likely, as changes in brightness during a partial eclipse remain very slight for trees in a forest environment.
The authors of the initial study responded by stating that their research is based on open and reproducible data, while admitting that other causes, like lightning, need to be examined. Alessandro Chiolerio calls for additional experiments, for example during total eclipses, to elucidate the mechanisms involved.
Bioelectricity in plants
Plants naturally produce electrical signals related to their physiological functions. These signals, often called action potentials, are involved in regulating growth, responding to threats, or communication between cells. They show similarities with those in animals, but are the subject of fewer studies due to the nature of plant systems.
Measuring these signals requires very sensitive sensors, like those used in the study on fir trees. Scientists record electrical variations to identify patterns or phase synchronizations. This information helps understand how plants perceive their environment, for example through changes in light or temperature.
The applications of plant bioelectricity concern agriculture and ecology. By scrutinizing these signals, it becomes possible to optimize crop management or monitor forest health. However, interpreting this data requires caution, as many external factors, like weather, can influence the results.
Technological advances now allow the study of these phenomena in real time. They pave the way for a finer understanding of plants' adaptive capabilities.