Investing resources increases competitive success: trees

1 of 1 Hoh Rain Forest / Alan D. Wils.. / License

The investment of resources for structural support in trees allows for competitive success by prolonging the reproductive life of the organism.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Regulate physiological processes >
	Reproduction or growth

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Metaphor for investing more heavily in personnel, tools, infrastructure, quality, etc., initially--looking beyond first costs--in order to gain future benefits and save time later on.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"The development of the 'tree' habit in many different plant families must reflect a high degree of competitive success for this life form. The expenditure of materials in short supply in the production of long-lived, mechanically robust forms must confer survival benefits to such plants. Synthesis of materials for mechanical support of the plant uses resources that otherwise might have been directed towards reproduction. We see an elegant use of strengthening tissues that parallels engineering solutions. Although expensive in mechanical tissues, the tree habit prolongs the period over which an individual may produce seed; over a long period successful seed formation and germination is more likely." (Cutler 2005:98)

About the inspiring organism

Plantae
Plantae

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

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Metaphor for investing more heavily in personnel, tools, infrastructure, quality, etc., initially--looking beyond first costs--in order to gain future benefits and save time later on.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Business

Experts

Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew
David F. Cutler

References

Cutler, DF. 2005. Design in plants. In: Collins, MW; Atherton, MA; Bryant, JA, editors. Nature and Design. Southampton, Boston: WIT Press. p 95-124

Investing resources increases competitive success: trees

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