The scientists at the University of Western Australia were attempting to study the genetics of plants in a large meadow, but found out that it was just one very old meadow.
The Posidonia australis plant, also known as ribbon weed, spans 77 square miles off the coast of western Australia. That is three times the size of Manhattan. Move over, trees! There is a 4,500 year old giant in town.
One of the reasons that ribbon weed has been able to thrive in Shark Bay is that it is resilient. The area has been relatively untouched by humans, which is a good thing when it comes to ocean health.
The original seedling has impressed the scientific community. A hybrid of two different seagrass species, this remarkable little colonizer kept chromosomes from both mother and father.
Instead of getting half its genes from mom and dad, it kept all of them, according to the researcher.
The health and longevity of plant populations allow for adaptation to environmental change because the plant has inherent genetic diversity. Since it first sprouted, our 20,000-rugby-field-sized friend has been able to grow by way of rhizomes, as opposed to reproducing.
Talk about self sufficient. turtles, dolphins, dugongs, crabs and fish are some of the sea creatures found in the meadow. We should leave this independent queen to her own devices.
The world's biggest plant was discovered off Australia's coast.
Ocean resilience is hooray! Scientists say that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch has become a thriving environment.
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