S. Venkataraman, from
the institute India. Srinivasan Padmanaban, from the institute India. and B. Rajeswari, from the institute India. wrote a Research Article about, Streetlights
and Trees: Exploring the Ecological Impact of Nighttime Illumination. entitled, The
puzzling phenomenon of trees flourishing under street lights: Unraveling the
effects of artificial roadside night lighting on ecosystems. This research
paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences (IJB). an open
access scholarly research journal on Biosciences. under the affiliation of
the International Network For Natural Sciences | INNSpub. an open
access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.
Abstract
This study investigates the phenomenon of trees thriving under street lights, presenting observations from an educational institution’s campus. Trees, naturally illuminated by streetlights, exhibit robust growth without deliberate human intervention. Such adaptation challenges conventional understanding of circadian rhythms and highlights the resilience of urban ecosystems. The unexpected symbiosis between street lights and trees underscores the need for re-evaluation in urban planning strategies, emphasizing sustainable cohabitation between human infrastructure and nature. Understanding the intricate relationship between artificial lighting and plant development offers opportunities for enhancing urban greenery and mitigating the adverse effects of urbanization on ecosystems. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and optimize lighting strategies for urban sustainability.
Introduction
Natural light cycles, including daily, lunar, and seasonal variations, have been significant environmental factors on Earth since life first appeared (Gaston et al., 2015). Artificial light at night (ALAN) has significantly altered the natural light patterns throughout the past century. This stems from several sources such as street lighting, advertising illumination, architectural lighting, security lighting, home lighting, and vehicle lighting (Davies et al., 2013). Artificial light at night (ALAN) is becoming a significant factor in driving worldwide transformation. ALAN is expanding worldwide with a 6% annual increase in sky luminance (Dalle et al., 2023). Streetlamps affect the night-time lighting of trees in urban areas; however there is no research on how street trees behave ecophysiologically in these situations (Liu et al., 2021).
Light is crucial in the physiology and ecology of plants. Plants utilise light for both photosynthesis and as a means of receiving information. Natural light cycles influence circadian rhythms, seasonal changes, and the development of traits like growth shape and resource allocation. Many natural or semi-natural habitats are exposed to artificial light at night at levels that can have physiological impacts on plants (Bennie et al., 2016). The interference of natural light cycles due to the presence of artificial light at night has been proven to significantly impact several species by changing their physiology or behaviour (Long et al., 2004). There is a lack of research on the impact of outdoor artificial night time lighting on plant species (Bennie et al., 2016).
Researchers are studying the detrimental impact of streetlights on plant growth
in urban areas dominated by concrete jungles, where an interesting phenomenon
is occurring under the artificial light. Some trees grow and bloom under street
lights without purposeful human care. This inexplicable event has aroused
curiosity, leading to an investigation to reveal the mysteries surrounding the
peculiar link between trees and street lighting. Upon closer examination, it is
evident that certain trees are not only surviving but flourishing in the
vicinity of street lights, presenting an unexpected paradox.
Here, I present my
observations regarding the growth of trees naturally illuminated by street
lights in a street within an educational institution. Streetlights illuminate
the Educational institutions campus streets where mobility is unavailable at
night. Trees are located sporadically under the illumination of each
streetlight pole. The streetlights are powered by underground electrical wires,
which have not caused any problems for the workers. Moreover, there is little
foot traffic, which enables trees and plants to grow unrestrictedly around
these poles. These trees are not deliberately planted by people and have not
been cared for with water or fertilisers. Fig. 1A & B show the trees at
night under the lampposts. The trees along with the lamp posts in day time
(Fig. 2A & B).
Reference
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