Earth’s Underground Fungus Network Is So Gigantic That If You Stretched It Out, It Would Reach to Other Star Systems
Scientists have mapped the Earth’s entire underground fungal network, showing that it’s so extensive that if it were stretched into a straight line, it would reach other star systems — and span a sizable chunk of the Milky Way galaxy, for that matter. The groundbreaking work, published in a study in the journal Science , focused on microorganisms known as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Forming the hidden backbone of our planet’s soil, they circulate water and nutrients and reg
A new study reveals the Earth's underground fungal network is incredibly vast, with its total length spanning over 110 quadrillion kilometers. The research, published in Science, focused on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which are crucial for nutrient and water distribution in soil. The network's total weight is estimated at 300 megatons, far exceeding human biomass. Around 40% of the fungal mass is found in grasslands, such as the Everglades. Scientists used machine learning to analyze data from 16,000 soil samples to map the global fungal network. The findings highlight the critical role fungi play in supporting plant life and regulating the climate. Researchers emphasize the need for better protection of these hidden ecosystems. The study offers the most detailed view yet of the underground fungal web that sustains life on land.
Understanding the fungal network is essential for preserving Earth's ecosystems and climate stability.
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