Questioning the communication between trees through mycorrhization networks

2023/02/16 Etxebeste Aduriz, Egoitz - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ekologia
• Botanika

Through underground fungal networks in symbiosis with trees, intercommunication of trees and sharing of resources has spread in recent years. However, following a review of the scientific studies in this regard, it is found that there is no firm evidence in this regard. The study was published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

On the one hand, it cannot be clearly stated that mycorrhizal networks that connect different plants, even of different species, are common in forests, nor that through them plants share resources or signals. In fact, research results are too variable, may contain other explanations or are too limited to make general statements. On the other hand, there is no evidence that adult trees send signals and resources to their descendants in peer-reviewed scientific articles.

They note that unsubstantiated claims have doubled over the past 25 years and that there is a clear leakage to the positive effects of mycorrhization networks. Thus, they conclude that knowledge of the mycorrhization networks is too scarce and unstable to know their role in forests.