The Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) released the first global map of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal networks, estimating their total length at 110 quadrillion kilometers. This massive underground system consists of ultra-thin threads that would stretch beyond the solar system if placed in a single line. Researchers used machine learning, literature reviews, and global soil samples to determine the density and distribution of these essential ecosystems.
Key details
- Research published in the journal Science used global soil samples and laboratory testing to estimate fungal distribution.
- These fungal networks sequester 1 billion tons of carbon underground every year.
- The fungal communities form relationships with plant roots, exchanging phosphorus and nitrogen for carbon.
- The total length of these threads is nearly one billion times the distance between Earth and the sun.
Why it matters
Quantifying the physical scale of these networks provides a concrete baseline for climate modeling. By mapping how much carbon is stored in these fungal webs, researchers can better calculate the impact of soil health on atmospheric warming. This data highlights the critical role of microbial infrastructure in supporting global agriculture and forest resilience, moving conservation efforts beneath the visible surface. If these networks were not storing this carbon, the gas would contribute directly to atmospheric warming.
Read the full story at Ars Technica
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