Mycorrhizal fungi, species that bond with tree roots, create a sort of intranet for forests. With individual trees they mediate the exchange of soil nutrients for photosynthesis products. The extra range of mycelium growth extends the root network. Between trees they allow for chemical communication of threats. Whenever I'm hiking in a forest and I smell mycelium it feels so much more alive and dynamic.
Mycorrhizal fungi, species that bond with tree roots, create a sort of intranet for forests. With individual trees they mediate the exchange of soil nutrients for photosynthesis products. The extra range of mycelium growth extends the root network. Between trees they allow for chemical communication of threats. Whenever I'm hiking in a forest and I smell mycelium it feels so much more alive and dynamic.