Scientists Map 110 Quadrillion Km Fungal Network, Tracing 4 Billion Tons of Annual Carbon Flow
Updated
Updated · Grist · Jun 11
Scientists Map 110 Quadrillion Km Fungal Network, Tracing 4 Billion Tons of Annual Carbon Flow
3 articles · Updated · Grist · Jun 11
Summary
A new Science study used machine-learning models and thousands of soil samples to estimate that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form a 110 quadrillion-kilometer underground network worldwide.
Those fungal strands exchange nutrients with plant roots and move about 4 billion metric tons of carbon each year—roughly 11% of humanity’s annual CO2 emissions.
Grasslands hold 40% of predicted global arbuscular fungal biomass, while large-scale agricultural areas show network densities about 50% lower on average, likely due to fertilizers and tillage.
Just 5% of biodiversity hot spots for these fungi fall inside protected areas, giving policymakers a new map to target conservation that could bolster vegetation, biodiversity and soil carbon storage.
These fungi are vital for most plants. But could these underground networks also have a hidden, destructive dark side?
Fungi sequester a third of fossil fuel emissions annually. Are we ignoring nature's most powerful weapon against climate change?
Unveiling Mycorrhizal Fungi: Global Carbon Storage, Unprotected Hotspots, and the Urgent Need for Conservation Policy
Overview
Recent scientific breakthroughs have revealed that mycorrhizal fungi play a major, previously hidden role in global carbon cycles. By using advanced technologies like high-resolution imaging, machine learning, and robotics, researchers can now map these underground fungal networks worldwide. These networks not only transport vital nutrients but also help regulate the Earth's climate by storing large amounts of carbon. A decentralized science approach, led by experts such as Toby Kiers, gathers data from local scientists around the globe, building a clearer picture of how these fungi support resilient ecosystems and highlighting their importance for climate solutions.