Scientists Create First Global Map of Earth's Underground Fungal Networks, Revealing 110 Quadrillion Kilometers of Fungal Filaments
Researchers have created the first high-resolution global map of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi networks, estimating they span approximately 110 quadrillion kilometers underground. The study combined data from over 300 previous studies with robotic imaging of more than 300,000 fungal measurements to quantify these symbiotic networks that connect with about 70% of plant species. The findings highlight the critical role these fungi play in carbon cycling and soil health, while revealing that agricultural practices significantly reduce fungal network density.
An international research team has published the first comprehensive global map of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal networks in the journal Science, using machine learning, robotic imaging, and data from 322 previous studies to estimate the scale of Earth's underground fungal infrastructure. The researchers used a custom-built robot named Prince to capture over 300,000 measurements of fungal filaments, then combined this data with mathematical modeling to extrapolate findings across regions with sparse direct measurements. The study estimates that AM fungi networks contain approximately 110 quadrillion kilometers of fungal filaments laid end-to-end and harbor carbon biomass equivalent to roughly five times the mass of all humans combined. These fungi form symbiotic relationships with approximately 70% of terrestrial plant species, exchanging nutrients and water for carbon. The research reveals concerning patterns: grasslands contain about 40% of global AM fungi networks but are rapidly being converted to farmland, while croplands show approximately 50% lower fungal network densities than uncultivated ecosystems, likely due to fungicides, tilling, and heavy fertilizer use that disrupt the fungal-plant symbiosis.
Limitations & open questions
The study's own limitations regarding measurement precision and extrapolation uncertainty across unmeasured regions could be more explicitly detailed. While sources note the challenge of estimating fungal filament diameter and its impact on biomass calculations, they do not extensively discuss confidence intervals or error margins for the global estimates.
What different sources said
- New ScientistCenter
Global map reveals the vast scale of underground fungal networks
- Live ScienceCenter
Earth's underground fungal network is so massive, it would span 10% of the Milky Way, map reveals
- Scientific AmericanCenter
See the hidden fungal network so big it could stretch to Proxima Centauri and back
- The GuardianLeft
Subterranean fungi networks more than 100 quadrillion km in length, study finds
Scientists Measure Earth’s Vast Underground Fungal Webs
Scientists Measure Earth’s Vast Underground Fungal Webs
- Live ScienceCenter
Earth's underground fungal network is so massive, it would span 10% of the Milky Way, map reveals
Related
University of Texas Researchers Develop Water-Harvesting Textiles for Portable Drinking Water from Air
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a textile jacket capable of collecting drinking water directly from atmospheric moisture, producing 400-900 milliliters per day depending on humidity levels. The technology uses specially designed fibers that transport water vapor to detachable harvesting units, which are then heated to produce drinkable water. The innovation could provide portable water access for hikers, emergency responders, and people in remote areas without reliable water infrastructure.
Poll: Majority of Americans Believe Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life Exists; One in Five Think Contact Already Made
A CBS News/YouGov poll of 2,023 U.S. adults found that 63% of Americans believe intelligent life exists on other planets, with 21% saying contact has already occurred. The survey shows increased belief in extraterrestrial life compared to 2010, and 84% of respondents think the government knows more about UFOs than it discloses. The findings reflect growing public interest in the topic, particularly following recent government releases of UFO files.
NASA's Chandra Observatory Discovers Possible Supernova Remnant Near Milky Way's Central Black Hole
Using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes, astronomers have identified a possible supernova remnant located approximately 26,000 light-years from Earth in the Galactic Center region. If confirmed, this would be one of the closest supernova remnants ever discovered to the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. The discovery is significant because supernova remnants distribute elements essential for planet and life formation throughout the galaxy.