Biologists Create First Map of Mycorrhizal Fungi to Restore Forests

Biologists Create First Map of Mycorrhizal Fungi to Restore Forests
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Biologists are creating the first-ever map of mycorrhizal fungi in Britain’s ancient forests to aid in global reforestation efforts, The Guardian reported. The project, led by researchers Bethan Manley and David Satori, focuses on the “subterranean ecology” of these vital organisms, which form crucial networks for trees and plants to thrive.

The scientists are studying one of Britain’s oldest woodlands on the Hebridean island of Seil, where they are collecting and analyzing fungal spores and soil. The goal is to understand these networks so they can be used to inoculate land in other areas, such as those where forests have been cleared for centuries.

The work is part of a broader global effort to map the planet’s below-ground microbiome, supported by the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (Spun). The research highlights the importance of preserving ancient forest fragments, which serve as “refugia”—reservoirs of fungi that can help restore surrounding fragmented landscapes.

While commercial biofertilizers exist, the article notes that many are ineffective. This research aims to provide a more targeted and effective approach to reforestation by leveraging the natural, symbiotic relationship between fungi and trees.