The Silent Scream of Plants: Ultrasonic Sounds
Deep in the seemingly silent nature, plants have their own language of communication. Research conducted in recent years has revealed that damaged plants emit silent screams that the human ear cannot hear. These screams are defined as ultrasonic frequency popping sounds produced by stressed plants to convey information to their environment. By detecting these cries, scientists from Tel Aviv University have taken an important step towards better understanding the effects of plants’ emotional states and environmental conditions.
Studies show that plants produce popping sounds approximately 40 times per hour when they are short of water and cut. Considering these sounds as a response of plants to stress situations, they can actually be considered as a kind of alarm situation. The ultrasonic sounds of plants serve to convey information about danger or stress to organisms in their environment, especially animals.
While this discovery sheds light on the depths of nature’s complex communication network, we do not yet have definitive information about how plants produce these sounds. Studies reveal that it is not just limited to tomato and tobacco plants, but also different plant species such as wheat, corn and grapes produce sound. This shows that plants respond similarly to environmental stress factors.
These ultrasonic sounds of plants are actually part of a kind of struggle for existence. As the frequency of sounds increases when they are dehydrated or damaged, this can be considered a reflection of the plants’ survival instinct. However, uncertainties remain about how these sounds are perceived by other creatures around them. For example, more research is needed on which animals hear these sounds and how these animals respond to the sounds.
Future research aims to focus on the communication styles of plants and the effects of these sounds on the ecosystem. Better understanding these silent screams of nature can help us better understand the life cycle of plants, their relationship with humans, and environmental sustainability. These discoveries can play an important role in understanding the complexity of nature and the ways it maintains balance.
- The ultrasonic sounds of plants function to transmit information under stress.
- Dehydrated plants can produce an explosion sound up to 40 times per hour.
- These sounds are considered part of the plants’ struggle for survival.
- Plant sounds are also common in different types of plants.
- Future research will examine how these sounds are perceived by other creatures.
These silent screams of plants reveal once again how complex and impressive nature is. This extraordinary form of communication is critical to the health and continuity of not only plants but entire ecosystems. Understanding this unique experience that nature offers can reshape people’s relationship with nature in the future.