Mycorrhizal Fungal Networks

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form extensive underground networks that partner with plant roots, supplying nutrients and water in exchange for plant-derived carbon.

Researchers have mapped these networks using soil samples, predictive modeling, and laboratory imaging, connecting their distribution to questions about soil carbon, ecosystem function, and conservation. The findings point to substantial networks in grasslands and lower average density in croplands than in wild ecosystems, while limited protection of fungal hotspots underscores the importance of understanding where these networks occur.