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Tree-stem diameter fluctuates with the lunar tides and perhaps with geomagnetic activity

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Abstract

Our initial objective has been to examine the suggestion of Zürcher et al. (Nature 392:665–666, 1998) that the naturally occurring variations in stem diameter of two experimental trees of Picea alba were related to near-simultaneous variations in the lunisolar tidal acceleration. The relationship was positive: Lunar peaks were roughly synchronous with stem diameter peaks. To extend the investigation of this putative relationship, additional data on stem diameter variations from six other tree species were gathered from published literature. Sixteen sets of data were analysed retrospectively using graphical representations as well as cosinor analysis, statistical cross-correlation and cross-spectral analysis, together with estimated values of the lunisolar tidal acceleration corresponding to the sites, dates and times of collection of the biological data. Positive relationships were revealed between the daily variations of stem diameter and the variations of the lunisolar tidal acceleration. Although this relationship could be mediated by a 24.8-h lunar rhythm, the presence of a solar rhythm of 24.0 h could not be ruled out. Studies of transpiration in two of the observed trees indicated that although this variable was not linked to stem diameter variation, it might also be subject to lunisolar gravitational regulation. In three cases, the geomagnetic Thule index showed a weak but reciprocal relationship with stem diameter variation, as well as a positive relationship with the lunisolar tidal force. In conclusion, it seems that lunar gravity alone could influence stem diameter variation and that, under certain circumstances, additional regulation may come from the geomagnetic flux.

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Notes

  1. In the publications of Cantiani and Sorbetti Guerri (1989) and of Cantiani et al. (1994), the Latin name of Norway spruce [‘abete rosso’ (It.) or ‘l’épicéa’ (Fr.)] is given as Picea excelsa Link., whereas it is given as Picea abies Karst. in the publication of Zürcher et al. (1998). Clearly, the same individual tree is being referred to in each case. The name Picea abies (L.) Karsten is retained here.

  2. “Ainsi les contours chaotiques de tel out el phénomèna dans ses forms dynamiques subissent quand on change de point de vue, une transformation. Il se révèle comme un movement harmonieux qu’on peut figurer par une série d’oscillations sinusoïdales soumis dans le temps aux oscillations des forces invisibles de l’energie cosmique ou solaire.” (Tchijevsky 1940, p224).

Abbreviations

CD:

Coefficient of determination

δD:

Stem diameter variation

δg:

Lunisolar tidal acceleration (vertical component)

Th:

Thule index

T s :

Rate of transpiration

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Acknowledgement

Thanks are due to two anonymous referees for their constructive commentaries. In addition, Professors Gerhard Dorda (Munich) and Ernst Zürcher (Biel) kindly provided supportive remarks and also useful information in the form of reprints and preprints of their own publications and those of others. Professor D.T. Clarkson and Dr S. Barlow are also thanked for their patient reading and commentary upon early drafts of this work. Mr Timothy Colborn expertly prepared the diagrams.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol, BS8 1UG, UK

    Peter W. Barlow

  2. Department of Biometrics and Statistics, Neuroendocrinology Letters, Stockholm and Bratislava, Sweden and Slovakia, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Miroslav Mikulecký Sr

  3. BioCos, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Miroslav Mikulecký Sr

  4. Institute of Geophysics, Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic

    Jaroslav Střeštík

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  1. Peter W. Barlow
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Correspondence to Peter W. Barlow.

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Barlow, P.W., Mikulecký, M. & Střeštík, J. Tree-stem diameter fluctuates with the lunar tides and perhaps with geomagnetic activity. Protoplasma 247, 25–43 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-010-0136-6

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