This doesn't sound great, what about all the tree dwelling critters that would be unable to hide or sleep?
They could sleep on another tree.
Bioluminescent trees as an alternative to electric lighting
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Re: Bioluminescent trees as an alternative to electric lighting
#12Re: Bioluminescent trees as an alternative to electric lighting
#13Serious question - what happens in fall when the leaves fall off the trees? Also, with a simple light bulb, or even lamp post, it can be replaced quickly and cheaply. (OK, maybe not cheaply for the whole lamp post, but relatively easily.) But planting a tree takes years for the tree to grow. This doesn't seem realistic to me, though it does seem really cool. Also, how much light do they give off? All of the images on…
This probably should not completely replace street lamps, but could help better light some areas that are naturally dark and shady. Trees, instead of concealing the streetlights, would give off some light.
Consider evergreen grasses that could probably be made to glow, too. Such grass could nicely light up park lanes at night. Slightly glowing evergreen bushes growing along a walkway could help one walk at night.
Also, consider how helpful such a natural illumination would be during a power outage, especially when it happens due to a natural disaster. The light might be faint, but it will help people orient themselves, help rescue helicopters recognize the terrain, etc.
Re: Bioluminescent trees as an alternative to electric lighting
#14Maybe I follow YC stuff too much but it seems this be an attempt to build momentum for the YC company working on this?
http://techcrunch.com/2014/08/11/glowing-plant-is-one-of-y-c...
Re: Bioluminescent trees as an alternative to electric lighting
#15This doesn't sound great, what about all the tree dwelling critters that would be unable to hide or sleep?
That was my thought as well. Wildlife has adapted to the city life, but changing how trees work will definitely have unintended consequences.
If like the other comments note, the impact is lost within a few generations, it's of less risk. However, if that's not true and it starts to spread, we could be looking at a serious problem.
Personally, I don't know of how much benefit this is given the low consumption of LEDs. The trees will need energy from somewhere, so their requirements for soil/nutrients will likely be a lot greater than the current tree population, resulting in need to fertilize/upkeep. This could end up being a lot more expensive than LED light poles using electricity.
Environmental impact from the need for more nutrients/fertilizer could be significant as well.
Re: Bioluminescent trees as an alternative to electric lighting
#16Earlier quoted context omitted.
They could sleep on another tree.
Indeed, I did incorrectly assume this could/would be in all the trees on the street.
I think it depends on city density. Many streets in SF have about as many trees as light poles, so you'd probably have to replace all those with the glowing ones to make enough light.
Re: Bioluminescent trees as an alternative to electric lighting
#17it seems to me that if this can be pulled off, it would be Nobel worthy. I mean, it would not be less cool than a blue LED, would it?
Re: Bioluminescent trees as an alternative to electric lighting
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
Its highly unlikely that these plants would ever succeed as an invasive species because the energy consumption required to glow puts the plant at a massive disadvantage. I ordered something similar from a kickstarter a few months ago: http://www.glowingplant.com/ They say that within a couple generations, the glowing feature quickly disappears due to natural selection.
Actually quite a few scientists tried to stop that kickstarter because of the dangers it could prove to the ecosystem: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2013/jun/0...
They didn't really outline what dangers exactly it could prove to the ecosystem.... I'm sure there are some, but it's hardly obvious. It's not like the gene will stick around without human effort.
Re: Bioluminescent trees as an alternative to electric lighting
#19I remember backing a kickstarter project back in 2013 which accomplished the same thing on a small plant. As of today, it barely emits enough light and it's all but ready for production. Check it out: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/antonyevans/glowing-pla...
What is "enough" light?
Re: Bioluminescent trees as an alternative to electric lighting
#20How much energy would a tree expend producing light? Would that kill it? If not, what extra input (in terms of nutrients, care, etc) would it need? Would these trees cross-pollinate those not intended to glow? What environmental impact might that have outside cities?
Lots of questions.