Trees have extreme longevity: bristlecone pine

1 of 2 Bristlecone pine / Chris de Rha.. / License

Bristlecone pines can survive for thousands of years in harsh environments by shutting down non-essential processes.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Regulate physiological processes >
	Homeostasis

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Energy saving method for industries, homes Business metaphor for long-term survival.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

Bristlecone pines survive for thousands of years in an environment with little rainfall, few nutrients, cold temperatures and high elevations by shutting down all non-essential processes and focusing energy on long-term survival rather than growth.

Excerpt

"Some of the bristlecone pines found in the White mountains of California are over 4500 years old…

"Bristlecone pines receive very little water and food throughout the year…and the trees stand on dolomite, a form of limestone that contains few nutrients.

"To survive on this ascetic diet, Pinus longaeva invests very little energy in growth…

"'It shuts down all its non-essential processes,' says Sussman. 'This looks half dead most of the time, perhaps with just one branch that appears to be alive.'" (NewScientist 2010)

About the inspiring organism

Pinus longaeva
Pinus longaeva D. K. Bailey

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

Some organism data provided by: Conifer Database
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Energy saving method for industries, homes. Business metaphor for long-term survival.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Business

Experts

The Doak Lab
Adelia L. Barber
The University of Wyoming

References

2010. See the world's oldest organisms. NewScientist [Internet],