In the heart of the rainforests of Australia, there is a newly discovered species of tree that has attracted the attention of scientists for its extremely unusual and dangerous feature. The newly discovered tree, named the “zombie tree”, is alive, yet unable to reproduce in the wild. The tree, named Rhodamnia zombiei, is unable to reproduce because it has been attacked by a highly contagious fungus. As a result, the tree becomes unable to produce flowers, fruits and seeds, bringing its existence to the brink of extinction. Still, the question is, can this species be saved before it completely disappears from the face of the Earth? It is not just trees, but the entire balance of nature.
What about Australia?zombie tree ‘
The term ‘zombie tree’ is used for a tree species called Rhodamnia zombiei, which is found in rainforest and was first discovered in Queensland in 2020. This tree was recently given this name by experts because although some trees are alive, they are unable to reproduce naturally.Research conducted by the University of Queensland found that repeated infections left trees ‘alive but unable to reproduce’, making it impossible for trees to develop the new growth needed to reproduce.For this reason, the species is considered functionally extinct despite the presence of some trees. Botanist Professor Rod Fensham described the trees, saying that, without any intervention, the trees are ‘living dead’.
myrtle rust : The fungal disease driving extinction
The main threat to zombie trees is a fungal disease called myrtle rust. This disease is caused by a fungus called Austropoucinia picidi. The disease targets the myrtle family of plants, which includes many indigenous Australian species such as eucalyptus and tea tree.Myrtle rust disease can spread rapidly through fungal spores, which can be carried by wind, insects, animals, and even humans. The disease then begins to affect the plant, causing yellow or orange spots to appear on leaves and young growth. This eventually causes the plant to no longer be able to produce flowers or seeds, causing the plant’s life cycle to stop.However, what has made things worse in Australia is that local plant species are not able to defend themselves against the disease. According to Professor Fensham, this means that these species, which include those in the myrtle family such as eucalypts and tea trees, have been termed “naive hosts” because they have not had time to develop resistance to disease.
Scientific efforts to save zombie trees
As scientists are faced with the problem of the accelerated decline of Rhodamnia zombie, they have come up with various solutions to prevent its extinction. One of the first solutions to be put into practice is to clone the few remaining trees. This will be done by planting cuttings in a controlled environment.There has also been research into treatments that will be able to protect trees from infection. This includes the use of fungicides as well as RNA-based treatments, which will be able to increase the tree’s ability to fight disease.Another solution to the decline of Rhodamnia zombie is to cultivate seedlings in controlled environments where the fungus is not active. The hope is that, over time, some of them will be able to become immune to the fungus, and thus be able to rejoin their natural habitat. This, as shown in ongoing studies, will be done to “grow disease-free seedlings in protected locations to ensure the future of the species”.“
Why does this matter beyond a species?
However, the zombie tree crisis presents us with a larger ecological issue. In fact, myrtle rust affects not just one species, but many species of the Myrtaceae family, and we have to think about the loss of biodiversity in Australia’s rainforests.Therefore, zombie trees present us with the impact of invasive species, which can threaten entire ecosystems, especially when native species have no defenses. In fact, it points to the challenges that have emerged in the wake of the effects of globalization and climate change, which have made it easier for diseases to spread.However, the fight to save zombie trees in Australia reminds us of the fragility of nature. While species are on the verge of extinction, science and innovation provide us with a sense of hope. The outcome of this race will, in fact, not only determine the fate of this unique species, but will also impact the way we choose to confront other ecological issues in the near future.