The giant world of fungi, Pg2

Key Highlights:

• A new study published in Science has created the first global map of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi networks.
• These underground fungal networks span 110 quadrillion km of hyphae and contain 300 million tonnes of carbon.
• They are estimated to sequester 4 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent annually, accounting for about 11% of human-related carbon emissions.
• Grassland ecosystems, including India's Banni grasslands, host 40% of these networks but face threats from agricultural conversion.

Detailed Insights:

• The research utilized machine learning and data from over 16,000 soil cores to quantify the vast scale and distribution of these fungi.
• AM fungi form symbiotic relationships with 70% of plant species, facilitating the exchange of nutrients for carbon.
• Cropland areas typically exhibit a 50% lower fungal density compared to natural ecosystems.
• The conversion of grasslands to farms is occurring at a rate four times faster than forest conversion, posing a significant risk to these vital networks.
• The study aims to elevate the importance of fungi in environmental policy and climate action, as advocated by the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi: Fungi that form a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with the roots of most plant species.
• Hyphae: The branching, thread-like structures that constitute the main body of a fungus, responsible for nutrient absorption.
• Carbon sequestration: The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, thereby reducing its concentration in the atmosphere.
• Symbiotic relationships: Close and often long-term interactions between two different biological organisms, where at least one benefits.