Lightning strikes are often seen as destructive forces within a forest, forces that electrocute trees and damage ecosystems. However, recent research shows that, in some cases, lightning may actually benefit certain tree species.
On February 7, 2025, Dr. Evan Gora, a forest ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, published a study he conducted in Panama’s Barro Colorado Nature Monument, one of the world’s most studied rainforests. His research, published in New Phytologist, reveals that some trees actually thrive from lightning strikes.
Dr. Gora and his team used electromagnetic signals and drones to track lightning strikes in the forest from 2014 to 2019. They found that while 85 species were struck, only seven survived, including Dipteryx oleifera, a towering tree species. Remarkably, some D. oleifera trees only grew taller after being struck multiple times. In fact, according to Scientific American, while “64 percent of the latter trees died within two years of being struck,” all D. oleifera trees survived. One strike killed 57 trees nearby, while the D. oleifera remained healthy, benefiting from reduced competition for light and resources. The lightning even cleared away parasitic vines, further aiding the tree’s growth. These trees appeared to act as natural lightning rods, surviving the strikes while other trees around them perished.
Such resilience, as proven by Dr. Gora’s study, provides D. oleifera an unexpected advantage. With less competition, it can grow faster and produce more seeds. Additionally, computer models suggest lightning strikes could extend its lifespan by up to 300 years, challenging previous beliefs that lightning is solely destructive. The study also proves that D. oleifera and other species may use lightning as a competitive edge in the forest. While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, the study suggests that tree architecture or conductivity might contribute to their survival.
As climate change increases the frequency of thunderstorms, species like D. oleifera may be better equipped to adapt to a stormier future. While this study focuses on Panama, similar patterns are being observed in other tropical forests, suggesting that lightning’s role in forest dynamics could be widespread.
Ultimately, lightning strikes, while damaging, may shape the future of tropical ecosystems in unexpected ways—benefiting certain species like Dipteryx oleifera, while others reach their end.
