Do Trees Know When They Are Being Eaten? Science Explains
Listen to the story
Can a tree feel when something eats it? Scientists want to know the answer. They study how trees react to insects and animals.
Trees cannot move or talk. But they can react to danger. Some trees make chemicals when insects eat their leaves. This is a kind of defense.
Scientists say trees may not "know" things like people do. But trees can sense changes around them. This is called a response.
In Finistère, a place in France, there is a big problem. The weather is very dry. This is called a drought.
The drought is bad for forests. Trees need water to live and grow. Without water, trees become weak.
People who study trees say, "Trees suffer too." This means trees can feel bad effects, like pain from the dry weather.
Farmers who grow trees are worried. Dry weather hurts the young trees they plant. This makes their work harder.
Scientists continue to study trees. They want to understand how trees survive hard conditions like drought and being eaten.
Vocabulary4 words
- defense
- something that protects you from danger
- response
- an action after something happens
- drought
- a long time with no rain
- forests
- big areas with many trees
Quiz
Answer key
1. If trees can sense being eaten 2. A drought 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Can a tree feel when something eats it? Scientists want to know the _____.
Trees cannot move or talk. But they can react to _____.
Some trees make _____ when insects eat their leaves.
Scientists say trees may not "know" things like people do, but they can sense _____ around them.
In Finistère, a place in France, the weather is very _____.
This is called a _____.
The drought is bad for _____.
Trees need _____ to live and grow.
People who study trees say, "Trees _____ too."
Farmers who grow trees are _____ about the dry weather.