Vast underground fungal networks mapped globally

Researchers have quantified the immense scale of underground fungal networks, revealing they span 110 quadrillion kilometers globally. These arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal networks, crucial for plant nutrient exchange and carbon sequestration, are now mapped with unprecedented detail. The study utilized literature reviews, soil samples, and machine learning to estimate their distribution and density, identifying grasslands as hotspots and agricultural areas as threatened regions. These networks store approximately 1 billion tons of carbon annually, playing a vital role in mitigating climate change by preventing its release into the atmosphere. The findings highlight the critical, yet often overlooked, importance of these subterranean ecosystems.