Serpentine Soil: Evolution on Toxic Ground

Intellectually Curious

A tour of serpentine soils—formed from ultramafic rocks and chemically harsh, nutrient-poor, and with a skewed Ca:Mg balance. We explore where these hostile patches occur (California as a major hotspot, with other pockets around the globe), how plants survive through dwarfism, waxy leaves, and metal-accumulation strategies (like nickel hyperaccumulator Nokia fenleri), and the landscapes they sculpt into serpentine barrens. We also discuss practical applications like phytoremediation, soil amendments for grazing, and the bioaccumulation risks for animals and humans, illustrating how extreme specialization can create both remarkable diversity and vulnerability.

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