Scientists from Sweden explain the unique superpower of Christmas trees

During the festive winter months, evergreen conifers such as spruce and pine adorn homes around the world. For several weeks, they become symbols of Christmas and the New Year and bring warmth and joy. But in reality, they can withstand the harshest conditions on Earth in their natural habitat.

Most people take it for granted that conifers are green and beautiful at any time of year. But scientists have discovered a unique superpower of Christmas trees and revealed the reasons behind the conifers' winter survival - some of which were not understood until recently, say scientists from Sweden in an article published in Trends in Plant Science.

Dissipates excess energy

One of the two main findings of the team is that conifers change the structure of their thylakoid membranes, where photosynthesis takes place, creating photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII), which normally remain separate, to come together in winter and work together in a special way called spill-over.

"This helps them to safely dissipate excess energy and avoid damage from too much sunlight in the cold," says Stefan Jansson, a professor at the Center for Plant Science at Umeå University.

The second strategy, which operates in parallel with flow, is that conifers use special pathways to move electrons during the photosynthetic process. These pathways, known as alternative electron flow, involve flavodiene proteins and help maintain a balanced photosynthetic process. It also prevents the system from being overloaded by excessive light and low temperatures.

Conifers - dominant species

The photosynthetic apparatus of conifers differs from that of flowering plants (angiosperms) in several other ways. For example, they lack some of the so-called light-harvesting proteins found in other plants.

"Taken together, this may explain why conifers are the dominant species in boreal forests, thriving where few others can, perhaps by taking advantage of less challenging conditions. Few, if any, conifers grow where water, nutrients and temperature conditions are favorable," says Pushan Bagh, lead author of the study.

Understanding these mechanisms can also contribute to conservation and predict the response of forests to climate change, and in the long run can inform strategies for breeding crops that are resistant to extreme weather conditions.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that the Guinness Book of Records recognized the manquinel as the "most dangerous tree in the world". And the legendary navigator Christopher Columbus called it "manzanilla de la Muerte", which means a small "apple of death".

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