We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Science

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Does the Future Hold for the World’s Largest Organism?

Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 711
References
Share

Have you ever wondered what the world’s largest organism is? You probably wouldn’t immediately think about a forest, but as it turns out, Utah is home to the world’s largest organism, a clonal colony of approximately 47,000 quaking aspen trees. These trees are genetically identical and stem from a single root system. This single organism is known as Pando (Latin for "I spread"). It covers approximately 107 acres of Utah’s Fishlake National Forest, with a root system that is several thousand years old, making it one of the oldest known living organisms. Pando has gained fame as a symbol of interconnectedness and sustainability, but this awe-inspiring organism could be on the brink of collapse.

A combination of factors contribute to the uncertainty of Pando’s long-term survival, including drought, climate change, grazing, and human development. Paul Rogers, an ecology professor at Utah State University and director of the Western Aspen Alliance, states that Pando is dying from within because animals (especially mule deer and cattle) are eating it faster than it can regenerate. Fencing has been erected to protect Pando, but it does little good against animals that can simply jump over.

Aerial photographs of Pando taken over the past 72 years have shown that new trees aren’t growing to replace ones that have died. If something doesn’t change, Rogers fears that Pando may “deteriorate beyond recovery” in less than a decade. The Forest Service has tried to stimulate sprout growth by burning and cutting parts of the grove, but with little effect. Rogers believes that the fate of Pando ultimately relies on the will of people to take action toward sustaining this incredible, mighty wonder.

The incredible (disappearing?) Pando:

  • Pando was discovered in 1976 by Jerry Kemperman and Burton Barnes.

  • Collectively, Pando is estimated to weigh around 6,614 tons (6,000 tonnes), making it the heaviest known organism in existence.

  • In 2006, a stamp was released by the US Postal Service to recognize Pando, naming it one of the forty "Wonders of America."

  • Fencing methods around Pando have improved over the years but come at a high cost. The perimeter of Pando spans about 12,000 feet (3,658 m), which would cost around $60,000 to fence.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
Share
https://direct.wisegeek.com/what-does-the-future-hold-for-the-worlds-largest-organism.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.