Pando's secret whispers. Unveiling the world's largest living organism

Pando sprawls across approximately 106 acres, equating to around 60 soccer fields, and is the abode for over 47,000 trees, collectively weighing about 6,600 tons. At first glance, Pando might not appear to be a global phenomenon compared to other forests. However, the truth is far more remarkable.

Due to their genetic uniformity and shared root system, the trees that have thrived in Utah for over 16,000 years constitute a single, highly-developed organism. This makes Pando the largest organism in the world by size and, very likely, the heaviest. Its age, estimated to be at least 16,000 years, hints that these giant trembling aspens could be among the oldest living organisms currently on our planet.

For years, the Pando area, with its vast expanse of trembling aspens, has fascinated scientists from biology and environmental protection. Recent discoveries have found that these trees produce unsettling sounds, which can be heard in a recording on the Ecosystem Sound website. This over-six-minute audio piece resulted from placing hydrophones near the trees' roots, capturing the vibrations and the millions of aspen leaves rustling in the wind, creating a haunting chorus.

In the future, scientists aim to gain a deeper understanding of this forest, which is essentially a solitary organism sprawling over more than 98 acres. Currently, however, there are concerns for its survival. Despite its ancient presence, Pando's existence is imperilled by climate change, including droughts and the loss of predators, such as the sabre-toothed tigers that once roamed the area. These predators played a crucial role in maintaining the balance between herbivores and trees. Today, in the absence of such species, the future of this unique entity in the USA hangs in the balance.