What do you see below? No, it’s not an abstract painting. It’s a map. A new study from UFZ reveals that there is hidden order to the chaos of a forest. These distinct patterns shape how different forests grow, creating the conditions for thousands of species to thrive side by side. In tropical forests, animals spread seeds far from parent trees, reducing competition between the same species. In temperate forests, trees tend to cluster together, benefiting from underground fungal networks that help protect young saplings. So what do you think, is this the map of a tropical or a temperate forest?
Posted: March 12, 2025