Worlds largest organism at risk

 






If you live in Utah in the United States you're probably familiar with the worlds largest organism. If you live elsewhere, you might not be aware of it.

It's not in the ocean and it's not an animal. In fact, by looking at it, you might be surprised. It's named Pando. At first glance you might think it's just a forest of quaking aspen trees but you'd be incorrect.

While it may give that appearance, Pando is actually about 47,000 acres of just one organism. The seemingly separate trees are actually clones and, underneath, they are connected by a singular root system making it all one living thing. By mass, it's the largest organism in the world.

Now it's under fire from a variety of forces. Most notably, deer are eating bigger and bigger chunks of Pando. Natural predators of deer have been declining for decades making it a haven for deer. They will eat the shoots and stems of new clones thus inhibiting the growth of this massive organism.

Also in play are the culminating effects of diseases and climate change putting even more stress on new and sustainable growth. Scientists and environmentalists are trying to come up with a way to slow or stop the increasing damage to ensure Pando remains intact as a natural wonder of the world. Click below to find out more.

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