The amazing 'eavesdrop' system of trees

Unable to run can not hide, trees detect danger and fight enemies by 'eavesdrop' on predators.

A study showed that some plants have the ability to apply a strategy to start defense mode as soon as they feel the direction of an approaching attack. Not only that, the greater the threat, the stronger their reaction.

This evidence was drawn by researchers after the study focused on mustard trees . These plants will make them less appealing to the taste if there are signs that snails appear in that area. The defense mechanism was deployed even before the predator could attack the first mustard in the garden.

Snails are favorite predators of mustard trees

The University of Wisconsin-Madison American researchers say this shows that trees have 'tapped' their predators and used that information to prevent them from becoming prey.

Professor of zoology John Orrock said: 'One of the things that makes plants so ecologically interesting is that they can't run anywhere else. Being unable to run cannot hide . so some make them less delicious. '

Earlier studies have shown that trees can 'tell' each other about the presence of other hungry caterpillars, snails and carnivores. For example, if a cabbage tree is attacked, it will send chemical messages to nearby plants to turn on the defense mechanism. Meanwhile, the new study shows that this defense can be turned on even when no trees have been attacked.

Orrock said: 'Not only eavesdropping on enemies, these mustard trees also eavesdrop in a very sophisticated way . ' The more alert you get, the stronger the defense system is. Orrock is currently trying to determine whether related vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts have this "eavesdropping" mechanism.