Forget the internet, there's a hidden superhighway under your feet , and it's almost a billion Sun trips long. While most people focus on forests, oceans, and wildlife when thinking about Earth's ecosystems, an enormous living network exists beneath the ground. Scientists have now created the first global maps of underground fungal networks known as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi connect with plant roots and help move nutrients, water, and carbon through ecosystems. The new research reveals the scale of this underground system and highlights its role in climate regulation, soil health, biodiversity, and food production across the planet.
