GLOBAL STUDY MAPS SUBTERRANEAN FUNGI NETWORKS FOR FIRST TIME

A new study has produced the first global mapping of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, revealing that the subterranean networks contained within the planet's soils stretch more than 100 quadrillion kilometres in total length. The research found that the combined length of the fungal systems is sufficient to span the distance between the Earth and the sun nearly 750 million times. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form networks of tubular cells that connect to and sustain plant life across the world's soils. The study establishes the scale of these hyphal systems at a planetary level for the first time.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a direct role in sustaining plant life by forming symbiotic connections with plant root systems. The networks also contribute to the regulation of the Earth's climate through their activity within the soil. The global mapping study drew on data covering the distribution of these fungal systems across different soil types and environments worldwide. The research represents the first time scientists have attempted to quantify the total extent of these networks on a global scale.

The findings establish a scientific baseline for understanding the full scope of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi systems across the planet. The study underlines the significance of soil fungi networks to both plant health and broader climate processes. Researchers now have a global dataset from which further investigations into fungal distribution and function can proceed. The mapping provides a foundation for future work examining how these networks may respond to environmental change.