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How did coconuts diffuse?

Published in Botany & Geography 1 min read

Coconuts diffused naturally through ocean currents, spreading both eastward and westward across the globe.

Here's a breakdown of how this natural dispersal occurred:

  • Ocean Currents: Coconuts possess a thick, fibrous husk that allows them to float for extended periods in saltwater. This buoyancy enables them to travel vast distances via ocean currents.

  • Eastward Spread: Currents carried coconuts eastward from their origin, likely in the Indo-Pacific region, to the tropical Pacific islands.

  • Westward Spread: Simultaneously, other currents dispersed coconuts westward to India and as far as East Africa.

In essence, the coconut's natural adaptation for flotation, combined with prevailing ocean currents, facilitated its widespread distribution throughout tropical coastal regions of the world.

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