Global Fungal Network Mapped

Scientists, led by the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN), have created the first global maps of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal networks, revealing an estimated 110 quadrillion kilometers of these thread-like structures (hyphae) beneath the Earth's surface. This vast network, which is almost a billion times the distance from the Earth to the Sun, plays a crucial role in supporting plant life and regulating the planet's climate by moving an estimated 4 billion tons of CO2e into soils annually. The study, published in Science (journal), utilized data from over 16,000 soil cores and robotic imaging from AMOLF to predict fungal network density worldwide. Key findings indicate that grasslands contain roughly 40% of Earth's fungal infrastructure, while large agricultural croplands show about 50% lower network densities, raising concerns about soil health and carbon storage. Researchers like Justin Urquhart Stewart, Corentin Bisot, Toby Kiers, and Merlin Sheldrake emphasize the enormity and importance of these fungi, advocating for their inclusion in climate and conservation planning. The data is publicly available through the Mycorrhizal Infrastructure Map, providing new tools for governments and decision-makers to monitor underground fungal communities and address challenges like food security and climate change.