Study reveals the scale of the "living Internet" underground: a vast fungal network stretching over immense distances

An international research team has unveiled a new estimate of the scale of mycorrhizal fungal networks, known as mycorrhizae, which connect plant roots within the soil and play a crucial role in transporting water and nutrients and storing carbon. According to Al Jazeera, citing a scientific study published in the journal Science, the total length of these networks is approximately 110 quadrillion kilometers, equivalent to nearly a billion times the distance between the Earth and the Sun.

The researchers relied on the analysis of more than 16,000 soil samples from various regions around the world, alongside the use of artificial intelligence techniques and advanced microscopic imaging to map these networks with greater precision. The results showed that agricultural lands have a lower density of these fungi compared to forests and pastures, which could affect the soil’s capacity to store carbon and support plant growth.

The researchers noted that the findings highlight the environmental importance of these networks, emphasizing the need for further studies to better understand their role and to support their inclusion in environmental conservation policies and climate change mitigation efforts.