The Wood Wide Web! скачать в хорошем качестве

The Wood Wide Web!

The "wood wide web" is the vast underground network of fungal threads, or mycelium, that connects the roots of different plants and trees within a forest ecosystem. This subterranean network allows for the exchange of resources and chemical signals, fundamentally changing the traditional view of forests as groups of individual, compHow the "wood wide web" works The network is based on a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship, known as a mycorrhiza, between fungi and plant roots. Fungal threads (hyphae): Mycorrhizal fungi send out hair-like filaments called hyphae, which extend far into the soil and connect with the roots of trees and other plants. A single fungus can form a massive network, with some species, like the honey fungus, covering enormous areas. A two-way exchange: The fungi act as conduits, delivering nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen from the soil to the trees. In return, the fungi receive carbon-rich sugars produced by the trees through photosynthesis. Nutrient transfer: This network facilitates the redistribution of nutrients and water between plants. For instance, mature "mother trees" can share nutrients with younger seedlings growing in the shade, helping them survive. Dying trees can also transfer their remaining resources to the network. Chemical communication: Trees can send chemical signals through the network. When a tree is attacked by insects, it can transmit distress signals to its neighbors, prompting them to activate their own defensive compounds. Significance and debate The discovery of the wood wide web has transformed our understanding of forest ecosystems, leading to important insights and conservation implications. Forest resilience: The cooperative behavior within the network suggests that forests are more resilient and interconnected than previously thought. Mixed-species forests, which can exchange resources, may be healthier and more able to withstand threats than monoculture forests. Implications for management: Forestry practices like clear-cutting and soil tilling can disrupt and damage these crucial fungal networks. Understanding the wood wide web encourages conservation strategies that focus on preserving the ecosystem's integrity, not just individual trees. Scientific debate: While the existence of these fungal networks is well-established, some scientists caution against sensationalizing or over-anthropomorphizing the findings. The precise mechanisms and scale of resource sharing and signaling are still being studied, and the complex interactions don't necessarily equate to "intelligence" or conscious "conversation" in the human sense Subscribe to the Our Wild Ohio email newsletter at ourwildohio.com tiktok.com/@our.wild.ohio buymeacoffee.com/OurWildOhio x.com/OurWildOhio instagram.com/ourwildohio THANK YOU for watching Our Wild Ohio! Please like and subscribe! Any support is GREATLY APPRECIATED! Have a wonderful day!