Planet-Spanning Fungal Web Revealed: A Hidden Network Linking Plants and Carbon Storage
Scientists have mapped a massive underground network of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that spans an estimated 110 quadrillion kilometres, connecting plant roots, aiding nutrient absorption, and transporting carbon to soils. The densest networks are in natural ecosystems like grasslands and wetlands, while intensive farming reduces these networks, with implications for crop resilience and climate regulation; protecting and restoring them could boost food security and reduce fertilizer use.