In Utah there is a clone of aspen trees that covers over 100 acres. Such clones can be considered to be a single plant with many stems. It appears that the first stem of this clone originated over 80,000 years ago, even before there were humans in North America. What likely contributes most to the long-term survival (long life span) of aspens?
◦ All parts of the clone carry the same genes.
◦ A shared root system means that all stems receive the same nourishment.
◦ If parts of the organism (clone) are damaged, there are still other parts that can continue growing.
◦ Sexual reproduction can occur more frequently in clones.