David Whittle
Earth’s underground network of fungi needs urgent protection, say researchers
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jul/23/underground-network-of-fungi-on-earth-needs-urgent-protection-say-researchers?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Earth’s underground networks of fungi need urgent protection, say researchers

Study finds that only 9.5% of fungal biodiversity hotspots fell within existing protected areas

The Guardian
Jul 23, 2025 at 2:28pmTusky
Show threadearthlingJul 23, 2025

@DaveWhittle

90% of the biodiverse hotspots of #mycorrhizal fungi are in unprotected ecosystems. Loss of the ecosystems could lead to reductions in carbon drawdown, crop productivity and ecosystem resilience to climate extremes.

“They cycle nutrients, store carbon, support plant health, and make soil. When we disrupt these critical ecosystem engineers, forest regeneration slows, crops fail and biodiversity above ground begins to unravel …
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#fungi

Show threadearthlingJul 23, 2025

@DaveWhittle
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450m years ago, there were no plants on Earth and it was because of the mycorrhizal fungal network that plants colonised the planet.

Mycorrhizal fungi are found on the roots of plants and help regulate Earth’s climate and ecosystems. Its underground networks provide plants with essential nutrients, while drawing more than 13bn tonnes of carbon dioxide a year into soils – equivalent to roughly one-third of global emissions from fossil fuels.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jul/23/underground-network-of-fungi-on-earth-needs-urgent-protection-say-researchers

#fungi

Earth’s underground networks of fungi need urgent protection, say researchers

Study finds that only 9.5% of fungal biodiversity hotspots fell within existing protected areas

The Guardian