TED Talks Daily How to harness the ancient partnership between forests and fungi | Colin Averill
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Jan 6, 2023 Discover the fascinating underground world where trees and fungi form a powerful alliance. Colin Averill uncovers how these microscopic networks enhance tree growth and help combat climate change. Learn about groundbreaking research on mycorrhizal fungi and their vital role in forest ecosystems. Innovations in DNA sequencing are revealing ways to boost fungal biodiversity, ultimately supercharging forests and their ability to capture carbon. Dive into the science that could transform our approach to environmental conservation!
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The Importance of Below-Ground Ecology
- Forests play a crucial role in climate regulation, but our knowledge has been limited to above-ground aspects.
- However, below-ground ecology, especially the root systems and their interactions with soil, is essential for understanding forest function.
Ancient Partnership: Trees and Fungi
- Most trees form symbiotic partnerships with mycorrhizal fungi, which are crucial for accessing soil resources.
- This ancient partnership dates back hundreds of millions of years, even predating the evolution of roots in some cases.
The Role of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria
- Tree roots also form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria housed in root nodules.
- These bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, further enriching the soil microbiome's complexity.