The idea of talking trees has intrigued the human mind for generations. But surely talking trees only exist in the fantasy world. Well, to the disbelief of many, it turns out that trees can actually talk to one another. In her breakthrough study, Ecologist Suzanne Simard has shown how plants use a network of fungi in the soil to communicate their needs and aid neighbouring plants.
The communication between plants is enabled by ectomycorrhizal fungi which is a special type of fungi that develops mutually-beneficial relationships with a plant’s root system. These fungi provide plants with hard-to-find nutrients from the soil in exchange for taking sugars from the plant. The term Mycorrhizal fungi is used to refer to fungi that have successfully developed mutualistic relationships with their ‘host’ trees.
By connecting to the roots of different plants, mycorrhizal fungi allow them to share resources and information. This physical connection is how trees are able to “talk” to one another and share resources. For example, if a plant is attacked by bugs, it can send signals through the fungi network to warn their neighbours.
Mycorrhizal fungi can also play a crucial role in the fight against climate change. By forming beneficial relationships with the roots of plants, mycorrhizal fungi can help plants to absorb more nutrients and water from the soil. This can lead to healthier and more robust plant growth, which can help to adsorb greater amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Furthermore, mycorrhizal fungi can also act as a ‘carbon’ sink which prevents carbon from escaping into the atmosphere. It has been estimated that plants with mycorrhizal association can transfer up to 35% more carbon to soil than non-mycorrhizal plants. Storing carbon in the soil means there is less in the atmosphere and this can mitigate the effects of global warming.
Next time you're out in nature, take a moment to appreciate the amazing world of mycorrhizal fungi!
