Common Mycorrhizal Networks (CMN) are underground fungal networks connecting trees, often called the "Wood Wide Web."
Mutualism
- Trees provide carbon (sugars) to fungi
- Fungi provide water and nutrients (N, P) to trees
- 90% of land plants form mycorrhizal associations
Mother Trees
- Large, old trees act as network hubs
- Transfer resources to seedlings and stressed trees
- Recognize kin and allocate more resources
Forest Resilience
Networks increase forest stability by redistributing resources during stress (drought, shade, disease). Logging that removes hub trees can collapse networks.