Institute of Evolution

Abstract:
There is an underground trading network going on, deep in our forests, but it is not between humans. Scientists have uncovered extensive belowground networks formed between trees, fungi, and bacteria, which provide each species with the nutrients they need to thrive. Our goal is to elucidate the underground network of collaboration in the forest—the fungi and bacteria in the soil that create an intricate community. Research on the forest underworld is significantly changing our fundamental understanding of ecology and non-animal organisms. Organisms are not only competing with each other as was once thought. Instead, large networks of symbiotic fungi, bacteria, and trees are supplying each other with the resources they need to thrive. Furthermore, far from being simple individualistic organisms, plant species actually communicate with each other using a chemical language, and have very delicate movements that enable their survival. In order to gain a better understanding of the symbiotic biological processes happening below the ground, we are monitoring the exchange of water and carbon between the forest trees, atmosphere, soil, and the mushroom/fungus species attached to them. New insights from this research will help give scientists a more complete picture of forest systems and their role in the environment.