Richard Karban

Richard Karban is an ecologist who studies how plants communicate and defend themselves. He has shown that plants can detect signals from their neighbors, such as chemical signals released when they are attacked by pests, and respond by activating their own defenses. This research reveals that plants are not passive organisms but actively "talk" and cooperate to survive. Karban's work helps us understand plant behavior and could inform new ways to protect crops naturally, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. His studies highlight the complex ways in which plants interact with their environment and other organisms.