Here's one question: Do older, more natural forests produce a different terpene profile than tree plantations? The answer would almost have to be "yes," given different species. But since there seems to be communication and intelligence involved in all this, then another question becomes: are natural forests more effective in using terpenes for bioprecipitation than plantations? Again, the answer would almost have to be "yes." due to the complexity of relationshi8ps and inherited genetic memory. In other words, are plantations stupid and mute compared to their natural counterparts?
Good question. I had to go look up the answer. This paper "Terpenes, hormones and life: isoprene rule revisited ". From a summary of the article "In a study on lodgepole pine seedlings, those grown from older cones on live trees generally showed higher concentrations of certain trace terpenes compared to seedlings from young cones or dead trees
. Specifically: Seedlings from old cones had significantly higher levels of citronellol, geraniol, camphor, and α-thujene compared to seedlings from young cones or dead trees.
This trend was different from the pattern seen in more predominant terpenes.
The study suggests that production of these trace terpenes may come at an energetic cost, potentially reducing the production of more predominant terpenes that could confer greater defensive qualities
.
Seasonal variations in terpene content and emission have been observed in various tree species, with changes particularly noticeable in buds and young needles in early summer
It's fun to see lovelock's idea coming around again over and over as we learn more about how complex systems self-regulate. I looove this idea of terpenes as the climate system's 'hormones.' That tidbit about our own hormones having likely evolved from terpenes is juicy! It makes me wonder if different kinds of terpenes influence the formation of different kinds of clouds – is that something that you came across in your research for this article?
"The aerosols contained potassium. The aerosols had two parts: a core containing potassium-rich salts and a gel-like coating made of volatile organic compounds derived from terpenes. It was a mystery why there should be potassium in the core. Then inspiration hit as the scientists realized that fungi use water containing potassium salts to launch spores into the sky. The potassium salts could, once in the air, then attract terpene-derived molecules onto them [Pöhlker 2012]. They had discovered the symbiotic poetry of fungi partnering with trees to make clouds."
How long has the present system of terpene communication and homeostasis regulation been going on. Since the Permian extinction, since before? Since the land surface was colonized by life?
Terpene Communication Matrix ! How interesting ! I still need to dive into the cited articles to better understand the basics (potassium/fungi/terpenes).
We have just returned from a weekend church camp in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia, very close to the West Virginia border. One of our discussions was to do with why the mountains are blue. Now we know.
The irony/tragedy is that so many parts of the Blue Ridge have been devastated by Hurricane Helene. (In northern VA there was a lot of rain, but no flooding.)
Fascinating.
Here's one question: Do older, more natural forests produce a different terpene profile than tree plantations? The answer would almost have to be "yes," given different species. But since there seems to be communication and intelligence involved in all this, then another question becomes: are natural forests more effective in using terpenes for bioprecipitation than plantations? Again, the answer would almost have to be "yes." due to the complexity of relationshi8ps and inherited genetic memory. In other words, are plantations stupid and mute compared to their natural counterparts?
Great work, Alpha.
Good question. I had to go look up the answer. This paper "Terpenes, hormones and life: isoprene rule revisited ". From a summary of the article "In a study on lodgepole pine seedlings, those grown from older cones on live trees generally showed higher concentrations of certain trace terpenes compared to seedlings from young cones or dead trees
. Specifically: Seedlings from old cones had significantly higher levels of citronellol, geraniol, camphor, and α-thujene compared to seedlings from young cones or dead trees.
This trend was different from the pattern seen in more predominant terpenes.
The study suggests that production of these trace terpenes may come at an energetic cost, potentially reducing the production of more predominant terpenes that could confer greater defensive qualities
.
Seasonal variations in terpene content and emission have been observed in various tree species, with changes particularly noticeable in buds and young needles in early summer
https://joe.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/joe/242/2/JOE-19-0084.xml?crsi=662497588&cicada_org_src=healthwebmagazine.com&cicada_org_mdm=direct
It's fun to see lovelock's idea coming around again over and over as we learn more about how complex systems self-regulate. I looove this idea of terpenes as the climate system's 'hormones.' That tidbit about our own hormones having likely evolved from terpenes is juicy! It makes me wonder if different kinds of terpenes influence the formation of different kinds of clouds – is that something that you came across in your research for this article?
Happy to hear you like the idea of terpenes as hormones. I didn't come across the idea of different terpenes creating different kinds of clouds.
Like a pheromone?
This series of articles has totally changed my perceptions of the world and how it functions. Thanks so much.
Wow . Yeah a lot of paradigm shifts packed in here
Poetic elegance:
"The aerosols contained potassium. The aerosols had two parts: a core containing potassium-rich salts and a gel-like coating made of volatile organic compounds derived from terpenes. It was a mystery why there should be potassium in the core. Then inspiration hit as the scientists realized that fungi use water containing potassium salts to launch spores into the sky. The potassium salts could, once in the air, then attract terpene-derived molecules onto them [Pöhlker 2012]. They had discovered the symbiotic poetry of fungi partnering with trees to make clouds."
How long has the present system of terpene communication and homeostasis regulation been going on. Since the Permian extinction, since before? Since the land surface was colonized by life?
Hi good question. Will have to research more to figure out answer
Very interesting ! Thank you for sharing your research and thoughts.
Glad you liked it. The Endocrine system as Terpene Communication Matrix is one of my more daring hypothesis
Terpene Communication Matrix ! How interesting ! I still need to dive into the cited articles to better understand the basics (potassium/fungi/terpenes).
We have just returned from a weekend church camp in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia, very close to the West Virginia border. One of our discussions was to do with why the mountains are blue. Now we know.
The State of North Carolina explains the blueness in this article: https://www.ourstate.com/why-are-the-blue-ridge-mountains-blue/. It refers to isoprenes.
The Gaia concept is fascinating. I refer to it in my Faith in a Changing Climate substack at https://faithclimate.substack.com/.
The irony/tragedy is that so many parts of the Blue Ridge have been devastated by Hurricane Helene. (In northern VA there was a lot of rain, but no flooding.)