Question

In a forest, it was observed that one of the trees was severely debarked by an elephant to meet its food requirements, as the bark is a rich source of nutrients (Fig.). Based on your learning, answer the following:

1. Which function(s) of the tree is/are hampered by debarking?
2. Which plant tissue would be affected by further damage to the tree trunk even after debarking?
3. Which function of the tree would be hampered if the tissues beneath the bark were severely damaged?
4. What assumptions are you making to answer the questions above? How would the answer change if your assumptions are also changed?

Answer 1

1. Debarking damages the tree’s protective outer layer. As a result, the protective function is compromised. It also impacts food movement (phloem), which may have an indirect effect on growth and survival.
2. If the damage extends inward, the phloem (food-conducting tissue) and possibly the Cambium (growth tissue) will be affected.
3. If tissues beneath the bark (particularly phloem and cambium) are injured, food transfer from leaves to other areas, as well as thickness expansion (secondary growth), will be blocked. Eventually, the tree might die from a lack of food supplies.
4. We assume that only the bark is removed, that the interior tissues remain intact and that the injury does not immediately kill the tree. We also assume that water and food are transported under regular conditions. If these assumptions change, for example, if the xylem is also destroyed or the damage is severe, water transport will stop, resulting in rapid decline and death of the tree.