The unseen networks
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| Mycellium connect individual trees and creates a flow of nutrients |
The mycorrhizal networks, sometimes referred to as wood wide web, are subterranean networks that connect individual plants through thread-like webs of hyphae known as mycellium. They can spread up to several kilometers in a woodland and thus creating an inter-connected flow of water, glucose, nutrients, minerals and allelochemicals among trees. Larger and older trees give away their additional nutrients, sometimes 20-80% to fungi, other trees, small plants or seedlings within this network.
While the fungal partners in this network benefit from the glucose that they cannot produce themselves, they offer another type of contribution. They can absorb minerals from the rocks deep underground and these remain in the network available to the trees.
When an old tree dies, it leaves all its nutrients to this network, which can then be absorbed by the other trees. These networks are also used for communication among trees in the forest. When one tree is under attack by an insect, it can give out signals to other trees and they will change the chemical components in their sap to reduce the chance of getting similar insect attack.
These networks exist in all sorts of vegetation, not just in woodlands. However, these connections are not always friendly, as many species give out toxins to remove their neighboring trees that may be a a rival for their strong existence.
When there is a human intervention by excavation or building structures, these networks get disrupted and sometimes trees loose link to each other. It is therefore necessary to consider the root network as well as the mycellium if we plan a large infrastructure in or around a woodland. It is also important to note that these networks play major role in sequestering carbon. The large networks in the forests absorb more carbon, while the small networks are not able to absorb as much carbon as they give out more CO2.
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