The Language of Trees
Tangible interaction experiment
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The challenge
Trees do not have a consciousness like we humans do. Therefore complex exchange processes in the forest between trees and other living beings are difficult to imagine.
Year
2021
Keywords
Biophilic design
Interfaces with natural matter
Discipline
Interaction design
Data visualisation
Exhibition Design
How can interactions with
natural objects & interactive infographics
help to understand complex topics?
The change
Natural objects become interactive elements through different
sensors and an Arduino. Infographics show internal chemical processes,
while interactions represent external influences on trees.
Interactive data visualisation
Two processes take place in the forest. The nutrient exchange between trees and fungi and warning signal transmission between trees.
1. Nutrient exchange
Sunlight shines on the largest and oldest trees in the forest. They produce a lot of sugar through photosynthesis, which they do not need entirely for themselves. The trees pass the excess sugar on to fungi. The fungi absorb various nutrients from the soil via their mycelium. In return for the sugar, they deliver the tree's nutrients and an exchange network with other trees.
2. Warning signal transmission
If insects attack a tree, it produces stress hormones. These are dispersed through the air and trigger tannin production in other trees. That makes the leaves inedible for the insects and protects the rest of the forest from them. Other chemical mechanisms are revealed during drought, for instance.
