Short Wave 'One Mississippi...' How Lightning Shapes The Climate
Dec 6, 2022
Evan Gora, a forest ecologist specializing in the impact of lightning on tropical forests, shares his groundbreaking research on this fascinating topic. He reveals how lightning can silently kill trees, often months after a strike, complicating our understanding of its ecological role. Gora debunks myths surrounding lightning's destructive nature and discusses its surprising importance in climate change. He also emphasizes the need for resilient tree species in reforestation efforts, mixing awe and respect for lightning's power with hope for the future.
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Terrifying Tropical Storms
- Evan Gora describes lightning storms in tropical forests as terrifying.
- He recounts a chilling experience where everything went silent before a deafening boom and flash.
Lightning's Spiderweb Effect
- Lightning in tropical forests often doesn't cause visible damage like fires or explosions.
- Instead, it creates a "spiderweb effect," electrocuting groups of trees that slowly die over months.
Subtle but Deadly
- The subtle damage caused by lightning makes it difficult to initially detect.
- Researchers track lightning strikes in real-time and observe tree death over months.