Arboreal- Definition, Biomechanics of Trees, Adaptions

Arboreal is anything that pertains to trees. Since trees are everywhere, anything that relates to the tree, be it the animals that live it or any structure that resembles the branching shape of a tree, such as the architectural design or the chandelier piece in any room. The arboreal word comes from the Latin word arboreus, meaning ‘pertaining or relating to trees’.

Trees are ubiquitous. Hence it provides shelter and food and is an important means of transportation for various species whose livelihood depends on trees. Since the beginning of flora and fauna, trees have been an important source of life, directly or indirectly. They glue together the whole ecosystem of its surrounding. They manage not only the biotic factors of the ecosystem but also the abiotic factors such as water resources. They also bless the living organism with their medicinal properties, besides everything else. The benefits and properties of trees are numerous, and the concept of ‘Mother Nature’ is embodied by a woman depicting the beauty of a healthy relationship shared by plants and animals, constituting a balanced ecosystem.

The locomotion of animals in trees is referred to as Arboreal Locomotion. Transportation in trees is generally referred to as ‘Climbing.’ This mode of locomotion is specially adapted by animals surviving in a habitat surrounded by trees. Some animals are exclusively arboreal, like sloths, flying lemurs, brushtail possums, monkeys, etc., while others might occasionally scale or climb up for various purposes. The movement through trees poses numerous biomechanical challenges and thus shapes the ecological, anatomical, and behavioral factors in animals moving through them. In this article, we’ll try to understand arboreal animals’ challenges in locomotion via trees and their adaptation.