Underground Atlas Maps Carbon-Capturing Fungi Networks Worldwide
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📰 The quick summary: Mycorrhizal fungi help plants thrive while sequestering 13 billion tons of CO2 annually, making them powerful yet overlooked allies in the fight against climate change.
📈 One key stat: Mycorrhizal fungi worldwide sequester 13 billion tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to about one-third of humanity’s fossil fuel emissions.
💬 One key quote: “We’ve known for a long time that these mycorrhizal fungi are very important in ecosystems, and that they exist all over the planet and partner with lots of different plants.”
1️⃣ The big picture: Scientists have created a revolutionary tool called the Underground Atlas that maps mycorrhizal fungi diversity across the globe. This interactive resource reveals where different species of these beneficial fungi thrive, showing they capture roughly 13 billion tons of CO2 yearly – about a third of humanity’s fossil fuel emissions. Mycorrhizal fungi form mutually beneficial relationships with plants, helping them access water and nutrients in exchange for carbon. The atlas reveals surprising biodiversity hotspots, with some fungi thriving in boreal forests while others prefer tropical regions, yet only 9.5% of these hotspots fall within protected areas.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: This new atlas gives scientists and conservationists an unprecedented ability to identify and protect these invisible carbon-capturing allies. By revealing exactly where mycorrhizal fungi diversity is highest, conservation efforts can be targeted to maximize carbon sequestration. Beyond carbon capture, these fungi provide cascading benefits including preventing soil erosion and retaining nutrients in ecosystems. The mapping technology also allows predictions about fungal species in areas not yet physically sampled, dramatically expanding our understanding of underground biodiversity without requiring extensive field collection.
3️⃣ What’s next: Scientists are now researching whether traditional conservation strategies used for plants and animals work effectively for mycorrhizal fungi. They’re focusing on how to best protect biodiversity hotspots revealed by the atlas. Additional field studies will likely target these newly identified areas to verify the model’s predictions and develop specialized conservation approaches.
Read the full story here: Grist – There’s a surprising climate solution right under your feet
