How trees secretly talk to each other - BBC News

Summary

Trees, often seen as solitary, are secretly communicating, trading, and even waging war through a vast underground fungal network called the Wood Wide Web. Fungi connect trees, allowing them to share resources, warn each other of threats, and support each other’s survival. Older 'mother' trees nourish seedlings, and even sick trees contribute to the network. However, some species exploit the system for their gain, while others, like the black walnut, sabotage rivals. Despite this, the network showcases a complex, altruistic ecosystem where trees cooperate to thrive, offering a fascinating look into the hidden life of forests.

Takeaways

• 😀 Trees are connected through a vast fungal network that aids in nutrient exchange and communication.
• 😀 The fungal network, known as the Wood Wide Web, allows trees to share resources such as sugars and nutrients.
• 😀 Older trees, called 'mother trees,' use the network to supply sugars to young seedlings, boosting their survival chances.
• 😀 Sick or dying trees can transfer their resources to healthier trees through the fungal network.
• 😀 Plants use fungi to send chemical signals to warn neighboring plants about threats like pest attacks.
• 😀 Just like the internet, the Wood Wide Web has a 'dark side,' with some species like orchids stealing resources from others.
• 😀 Some trees, like the black walnut, release toxic chemicals via the network to sabotage rival species.
• 😀 The fungal network fosters a sense of community and cooperation among trees and plants in the ecosystem.
• 😀 Scientists are still debating why trees and plants engage in such seemingly altruistic behaviors.
• 😀 The Wood Wide Web is a hidden, thriving community beneath our feet, where trees exchange food, resources, and information.
• 😀 When visiting a forest, consider that the trees are part of a larger, interconnected superorganism working together for survival.

Q & A

What is the 'Wood Wide Web' and how does it function?

The 'Wood Wide Web' refers to the fungal network that connects trees and plants underground, allowing them to exchange nutrients, sugars, and information. Fungi grow around and inside tree roots, facilitating communication and resource sharing between trees.

How do trees and fungi benefit from their relationship?

Fungi provide trees with essential nutrients like minerals, while trees share sugars with the fungi. This mutualistic relationship helps both organisms thrive.

What role do 'mother trees' play in the Wood Wide Web?

'Mother trees' are older, larger trees that use the fungal network to support younger, shaded seedlings by supplying them with sugars, thereby improving their chances of survival.

Can trees share resources with each other through the fungal network?

Yes, trees can share resources through the Wood Wide Web. For example, trees that are sick or dying may transfer their resources to healthier neighboring trees, enhancing the survival of the entire forest.

How do plants use the fungal network to communicate with each other?

Plants can send chemical signals through their roots via the fungal network to warn neighboring plants of threats, such as herbivore attacks, prompting them to raise their defenses.

What is the dark side of the Wood Wide Web?

Some plants, like orchids, hack into the fungal network to steal resources from nearby trees. Additionally, species like the black walnut release toxic chemicals into the network to sabotage rivals.

Why do scientists find the behavior of plants in the Wood Wide Web intriguing?

Scientists are fascinated by the seemingly altruistic behavior of plants, where they share resources and support each other, despite the lack of obvious direct benefits. This raises questions about the evolutionary advantages of cooperation and resource-sharing in nature.

How do chemical signals play a role in plant defense?

When plants are attacked, they release chemical signals through the fungal network, alerting neighboring plants to prepare their defenses, such as producing toxins or strengthening their physical defenses.

What does the Wood Wide Web reveal about trees and plants as a community?

The Wood Wide Web illustrates that trees and plants are part of a larger, interconnected superorganism. They share resources, communicate, and cooperate, creating a thriving and supportive community in the forest ecosystem.

How does the Wood Wide Web compare to human technology like the Internet?

Much like the Internet, the Wood Wide Web allows trees and plants to communicate and share resources. However, unlike the human Internet, this system has its own 'dark side' with instances of exploitation and sabotage between plants.