Alcoholic fruit may help plants recruit mammals to spread their seeds
Alcoholic fruit may help plants recruit mammals to spread their seeds New Scientist
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Many Fruits in Tropical Forests Contain Alcohol, Study Finds
Hog plums growing in tropical forests can have an alcohol level over 1.5 per cent
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Introduction
Many fruits eaten by mammals in a tropical forest contain alcohol, and this may be one way that plants entice animals to disperse their seeds. This study aims to investigate the role of alcohol in the interactions between plants and animals, with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Methodology
Researchers from the University of Calgary in Canada, led by Julia Casorso, collected fruits from over 70 plant species in a Costa Rican tropical dry forest. The fruits were collected at different stages of ripeness, both directly from trees and from the ground. To measure the alcohol concentration, the fruits were placed in plastic bags for an hour, and the air inside the bag was sampled using a breathalyzer. The collected data was then analyzed based on the classification of fruits as bird-dispersed, mammal-dispersed, or mixed-dispersal.
Results
The study found detectable levels of alcohol in 78% of the fruit species. Fruits likely to be dispersed by mammals had higher levels of alcohol, with the highest concentration of alcohol (over 1.5%) detected in a hog plum (Spondias mombin). This indicates that mammals may find alcohol attractive as it signifies ripe, sugary fruits that provide more nutrition.
Discussion
The researchers suggest that plants use alcohol as an odor to attract dispersers, as mammals rely on their sense of smell to find food. This interaction between plants and animals dates back to the early Cretaceous Period when plants evolved to produce large, fleshy fruits with fermentable sugars, and yeasts evolved to ferment sugars and produce ethanol. Yeasts also benefit from this interaction as mammals help disperse their spores.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 15: Life on Land – This study contributes to understanding the interactions between plants and animals in tropical forests, which is crucial for the conservation and sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – By investigating the role of alcohol in plant-animal interactions, this research promotes responsible consumption of fruits and highlights the importance of sustainable agricultural practices.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – The findings of this study can contribute to our understanding of the impact of climate change on plant-animal interactions and the potential consequences for biodiversity.
Conclusion
This study reveals that many fruits in tropical forests contain alcohol, and this may be a strategy employed by plants to attract animals for seed dispersal. The research emphasizes the significance of alcohol in plant-animal interactions and highlights its relevance to the Sustainable Development Goals. Further studies in this field can provide valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of tropical forests and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The article discusses the interaction between plants and animals in tropical forests, specifically focusing on the presence of alcohol in fruits and its role in seed dispersal. This connects to SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss. Additionally, SDG 12, which focuses on responsible consumption and production, is relevant as it promotes sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
- SDG 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
The presence of alcohol in fruits and its role in attracting animals for seed dispersal highlights the importance of protecting natural habitats and preventing the extinction of threatened species (SDG 15.5). Additionally, the article mentions the fermentation process that produces ethanol in fruits, which relates to the environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste (SDG 12.4).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Percentage of fruit species with detectable levels of alcohol
- Concentration of alcohol in mammal-dispersed fruits compared to other fruits
The article mentions that 78% of the fruit species analyzed had detectable levels of alcohol, indicating the prevalence of this characteristic in tropical forest ecosystems. Additionally, the researchers found that mammal-dispersed fruits had higher levels of alcohol compared to other fruits. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the targets of protecting natural habitats and preventing the extinction of threatened species (SDG 15.5) and achieving environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste (SDG 12.4).
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. | – Percentage of fruit species with detectable levels of alcohol – Concentration of alcohol in mammal-dispersed fruits compared to other fruits |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. | – Percentage of fruit species with detectable levels of alcohol – Concentration of alcohol in mammal-dispersed fruits compared to other fruits |
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Source: newscientist.com
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