It is a little known fact that albinism can be found in non-animal species. Albino plants are a natural phenomenon. It is interesting to find it in such a species as the majestic redwoods. The lack of chlorophyll in the needles is caused by a genetic mutation. Albino redwoods are unable to convert sunlight into energy, therefore they need a host redwood in order to survive. Even though they are unable to produce their own food, they are able to survive by parasitic means for up to a century. No other conifers are thought to have this mutation. Conservation of these unique plants is vital in order for us to continue to study and better understand albino plants.
Albino Redwoods
editAlbino redwoods are a case of albinism which is rarely seen in plants. These ghost redwoods exhibit lack of chlorophyll in their needles which is unique to the Sequoia genus of the division Coniferophyta. Only two species of redwoods in North America, the Coastal Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and the Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), have been found to exhibit this trait. Because albinism is such a rare occurrence in nature, there is little known about this unique mutation. Albino redwoods are created asexually from sprouts off of a green redwood's shallow roots. Albino redwoods have a parasitic relationship with a parent tree and depend upon this parent tree for their survival.[1]
Distribution
editAlbino redwoods occur sporadically throughout the native range of the Coastal redwoods. This ranges from the southern half of California all the way upward to the southern tip of Oregon.[2] These trees require a specific climate in order to thrive. This climate consists of moist, well drained soil, dripping fog, and greatly dependent on the Pacific Ocean for survival. The number of albino redwoods is unclear, numbers ranging from 25-70, 60 of which are found in California.[3] There are 8 known albinos in the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Some of the albino redwoods locations are unknown to the public in order to protect the plant. The albinos whose locations are known are frequented by tourists. This heavy traffic results in damage to the plant and its surrounding environment.
Appearance
editAlbino redwoods lack chlorophyll therefore they do not have any color in their needles.[4] The needles appear to be white or brownish, depending on environmental conditions at any given time. Compared to a green redwood, their needles are more waxy and flexible. The needles are also thinner and softer than a healthy redwood tree. Albino redwoods stay shrub size, rarely reaching more than 10 feet in height. The albino tree is dependent upon the parent tree, the health of one tree is directly correlated to the other. Meaning, if the parent tree is under stress, the albino shrub will suffer and the needles will shrivel. When conditions are favorable to the parent tree, the albino will flourish.[5]
Causes of Albinism
editAlbinism in plants is caused by a genetic mutation which prevents any production of pigments in the plant. Albinism is found in recessive genes in the parent plant, which can be beneficial in some cases, resulting in quick adaptation to viruses or fungi that may pose a threat to the rest of the existing redwood stand. This genetic mutation results in lack of pigment and is fatal to the plant the majority of the time.
There is little known on a genetic and molecular basis of albino plants. It wasn't until the late 1970's that a man named Dale Holderman made the first big break through, discovering the first pollen buds, meaning albino plants were not sterile. Before this study, no viable albino seeds had ever been produced. Although normally albinism is not a favored characteristic of any species, in plant communities, there have been cases where the mutation was actually desirable.[6] Albino plants can reduce competition for surrounding seedlings and the dead seedlings provide increased nutrients in the soil.[7]
Issues
editBecause albino plants lack chlorophyll, they are unable to convert sunlight into energy. Unlike most plants, that are able to produce their own food, albino redwoods have adapted to live without chlorophyll and photosynthesis. Due to the fact that they depend on a parent tree for survival, they have a much slower growth rate. Albinos are also more greatly affected by the sun, which depletes their starch and dries them out. The health of the albino plant is dependent upon the parent tree, therefore if the redwood forest is under stress, so are the albino plants.
Threats
editThe leading threat to the albino redwood is anthropogenic impacts. Tourists come from all over the world to see these remarkable plants and in some cases want to take a part of the plant home. High traffic near the plant could negatively impact the surrounding environment and the overall health of the plant. Changes in climate have also affected the redwood forest, in turn affecting their albino counterparts. Viruses are also a possible threat to not only albinos but also the green redwoods as well. Stress to the parent tree could also possibly contribute to the decline in the health of an albino redwood.
Conservation
editConservation efforts are essential for survival of the albino redwoods as well as the green redwoods. In order to continue to study and better understand these trees, we must preserve their ever shrinking habitat. Biodiversity is important for a healthy and stable ecosystem. Having albino plants mixed into a thriving forest could be beneficial in the case of a virus sweeping through the forest. Genetically some plants may be able to adapt and survive better than others. There is still so much to be learned about these ghosts of the forest, we must preserve and protect these giants of the forest for future generations.
See Also
editReferences
edit- ^ http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/news/white-wonders/?ar_a=4&ar_r=1#page=2
- ^ http://www.sfsu.edu/~geog/bholzman/ptreyes/tripredf.htm
- ^ http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/news/white-wonders/?ar_a=4&ar_r=1#page=2
- ^ http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-creepy-parasitic-albino-redwood
- ^ http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-creepy-parasitic-albino-redwood
- ^ Davis, Douglas F. and Dale Holderman The Redwoods; Ghosts of the Forest 1980. Naturegraph Publishers, Inc.
- ^ Albinism in relation to competition in bamboo Phyllostachys bambusoides, Alan P. Smith. Nature, Vol. 266 (April 7, 1977), pp. 527-529.
Rogers, D.L. and Westfall, R.D. (2004). Spatial genetic patterns in four old-growth populations of coast redwood: Program for the Redwood Science Symposium. University of California, Berkeley.
Reed, Noss F. The Redwood Forest: History, Ecology, and Conservation of the Coast Redwoods, October 1, 1999. Edition 1. Island Publisher.
http://www.grcp.ucdavis.edu/projects/CoastRedwood/RedwoodCons.htm