Could a process as simple as mirrors save endangered plant species? On the island of Guam, researchers believe so.
Mirrors placed under plants to improve their growth: this idea has already proven effective. The Serianthes nelsonii, an endangered tree, fully benefits from it.
Growth with mirrors, and without mirrors.
The Serianthes nelsonii, the most endangered species in the Mariana Islands, finds its survival threatened by a lack of light in its natural habitat. This rare leguminous plant, endemic to Guam, receives only a tiny amount of light under the dense canopy of the island's karstic forests.
The plant physiology lab team at the University of Guam, led by Thomas Marler, developed an innovative approach to enhance the survival of these young trees. By reflecting sunlight toward the seedlings, the researchers observed a significant increase in their growth.
Inspired by commonly used agricultural practices, such as the use of colored plastic mulch to reflect light, researchers developed an improved version of this method. They opted to place mirrors under the plants to maximize light reflection toward the seedlings. Unlike traditional techniques, which rely on plastic materials that are often expensive and less effective, mirrors offer the advantage of a far more optimal light reflection. Moreover, this solution is particularly suited to smaller-scale conservation projects, since it is much more affordable in terms of cost.
Published in the scientific journal Agronomy, the study reveals that using mirrors under plants increases the amount of available light for the young seedlings by 70%. This significant increase in light exposure not only enhances their development but also greatly improves their resilience.
Indeed, the results are striking: the seedlings' survival rate was multiplied, with an increase of 160%, and their vertical growth saw an impressive jump of 170%. These figures highlight the effectiveness of this technique.
According to Thomas Marler, this technique could be a valuable solution for other conservation projects. Inexpensive and safe for plants, it holds great potential for protecting various endangered plant species.