Plants and animals can survive harsh conditions by moving, adapting, or entering a dormant state.
Dormancy helps organisms escape tough seasons by slowing down their activity until conditions improve.
In a recent study, researchers discovered that dormancy can help different species survive together when environments change.
What is dormancy?
Many organisms, like bears and plants, use dormancy to survive difficult times.
Some organisms remain inactive for centuries or even thousands of years.
We focused on diapause, a type of dormancy in animals where they slow down their activity to resist changes in the environment.
Does dormancy help species survive?
In our experiment with nematode worms, we found that species more inclined to dormancy can coexist with competitors in different environments.
Species that invest in dormancy can survive better in changing climates, making them more resilient.
We will continue studying dormancy in plants, animals, and microbes to understand its role in the real world.
Natalie Jones, Lecturer in Ecology, Griffith University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Vocabulary List:
- Dormancy /ˈdɔːr.mən.si/ (noun): A state of inactivity or reduced metabolic activity in organisms allowing them to survive unfavorable conditions.
- Adapt /əˈdæpt/ (verb): To adjust or modify behavior or characteristics to better fit a particular environment or situation.
- Survive /sərˈvaɪv/ (verb): To continue to live or exist especially in spite of danger or hardship.
- Resist /rɪˈzɪst/ (verb): To withstand the force or effect of something such as environmental changes.
- Coexist /ˌkoʊ.ɪɡˈzɪst/ (verb): To exist together in the same time or space often despite differences or competition.
- Resilient /rɪˈzɪl.jənt/ (adjective): Able to recover quickly from difficulties or adapt well to change.
How much do you know?
