SPUN Maps 110 Quadrillion Km Fungal Network as Cropland Density Runs 47.3% Lower
Updated
Updated · David Suzuki Foundation · Jul 5
SPUN Maps 110 Quadrillion Km Fungal Network as Cropland Density Runs 47.3% Lower
3 articles · Updated · David Suzuki Foundation · Jul 5
Summary
SPUN’s global mapping study found arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal networks in cropland are 47.3% less dense than in wild ecosystems, tying intensive farming to major underground losses.
110 quadrillion kilometers of hyphae may lie in the top 15 centimeters of the world’s soils, with up to 10 meters of network in a teaspoon, underscoring how extensive the system is.
70% of land plants rely on these fungi to exchange carbon for water and nutrients, and the networks draw down about 4 billion tons of CO2 annually—roughly 11% of fossil-fuel emissions.
Grasslands hold the densest networks yet are often poorly protected, while reducing tilling, fertilizer and fungicide use could help curb nutrient runoff, cut chemical inputs and improve soil carbon storage.
Can we rebuild Earth's vast 'underground brain' without creating unforeseen ecological disasters?
Now that we've mapped a carbon asset worth trillions, who gets to profit from its protection?
Mapping Earth's Hidden Fungal Networks: The First Global Atlas of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Its Urgent Role in Climate and Conservation
Overview
A groundbreaking scientific publication on June 11, 2026, unveiled the first global map of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal networks, marking a major leap in understanding Earth's hidden ecosystems. For centuries, the intricate world of underground fungi remained invisible to human observation, but this new map sheds light on a vast, previously unseen biological infrastructure that supports much of terrestrial life. By providing an unprecedented view into the distribution and density of these crucial underground allies, the discovery opens new possibilities for exploring how these networks sustain plants and maintain ecosystem health.