One of the most fascinating phenomena is the hidden communication network thriving beneath our feet in old-growth forests. While most people appreciate the beauty of towering trees, few realize that these trees are not simply standing in isolation. They’re connected to one another through vast underground fungal networks—mycorrhizal fungi—that act like a sort of forest “internet.”
Within these networks, fungi and tree roots form symbiotic relationships. The fungi trade important nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus with the trees in exchange for sugars produced by photosynthesis. But the relationship goes beyond mere nutrient exchange. Using these fungal highways, trees can send each other distress signals about pests or drought, share essential compounds with younger or weaker neighbors, and even exert influence over the growth and behavior of nearby plants. Essentially, what appears to be a competition for sunlight and resources above ground is accompanied by complex cooperation below, helping maintain the overall health and resilience of the forest.
What makes this doubly fascinating is that it challenges the traditional view of nature as a survival-of-the-fittest arena. Instead, these fungal-mediated connections reveal that whole forests often function more like communities—even families—exchanging resources and information, ensuring that the ecosystem as a whole can adapt and thrive. This intricate, invisible web under our feet is a reminder that nature’s complexity far surpasses what we see at a glance, and it underscores the importance of protecting habitats we barely understand.
References
Simard, S. W., & Durall, D. M. (2004). Mycorrhizal networks: A review of their extent, function, and importance. Canadian Journal of Botany, 82(8), 1140–1165.
Simard, S. W., Beiler, K. J., Bingham, M. A., Deslippe, J. R., Philip, L. J., & Teste, F. P. (2012). Mycorrhizal networks: Mechanisms, ecology and modelling. Fungal Biology Reviews, 26(1), 39–60.
