This is particularly interesting to me because (1) they have a natural control, given that it’s such a small area, and (2) the mechanism is apparently a mystery

This is particularly interesting to me because (1) they have a natural control, given that it’s such a small area, and (2) the mechanism is apparently a mystery? > When comparing the site to a nearby control area that hadn't been treated with orange peels, Treuer's team found their experimental compost heap yielded richer soil, more tree biomass, and a broader diversity of tree species – including a fig tree so huge it would take three people wrapping their arms around the trunk to cover the circumference. > As for how the orange peels were able to regenerate the site so effectively in just 16 years of isolation, nobody's entirely sure. > "That's the million dollar question that we don't yet have the answer to," Treuer told Popular Science.