What are Mycorrhizal fungi?
Every healthy forest ecosystem is infused with a wondrous, interconnected underground network of fungi. Known as mycorrhizal fungi, this potent group of organisms are vital to life on this planet, providing trees with the nutrients they need to survive - and thrive.
Found in the soil of almost all ecosystems on Earth, they form symbiotic relationships with 95% of all vascular plants, creating a flow of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and trace minerals such as potassium, calcium, copper, zinc and iron. In exchange, the fungi are nourished with photosynthesised carbohydrates from their host plant.
Every fungus is composed of microscopic threads called hyphae - vast fungal threads which reach deep into the moisture reserves below the ground, acquiring nutrients 100,000 times more efficiently than tree roots, and fortifying the soil’s ability to hold water.
This extraordinary underground exchange has become known as the Wood-Wide Web, nurturing the ecology of the soil, and boosting its carbon storage potential in the process.