Lately we've been loving discovering new things about nature and how it relates to the environment. We recently told you that the Atacama Desert had blossomed before its time due to the recent climate changes that this area of the planet is experiencing. And today we bring you another story that amazed and surprised us in equal parts.
In 2023, a study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution confirmed the existence of a natural communication network that is shared between trees from generation to generation. And according to the authors, trees have communicated underground for millions of years. This means that trees have been using their own language for millions of years, without humans knowing about it.
But there is a simple reason why humans were not aware of this: the language between trees is imperceptible to the human ear. Trees are connected to each other through an underground network of mycorrhizae, fungi that connect with each other and with the roots of the trees. In other words, trees communicate through their roots, and through them, vital resources such as carbon or water are transferred. But they also share more complex information and establish different types of relationships that allow them to be alert to possible dangers.
If we thought that we were the only resilient beings, we were very wrong. Because forests are characterized by their resilience as they function as a community. All plants establish connections and interactions on the ground, which gives them the ability to collaborate and become stronger.
This news makes it clear to us that forests and trees are much more than what we see.
* You can read a report on tree communication at this link .
In 2023, a study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution confirmed the existence of a natural communication network that is shared between trees from generation to generation. And according to the authors, trees have communicated underground for millions of years. This means that trees have been using their own language for millions of years, without humans knowing about it.
But there is a simple reason why humans were not aware of this: the language between trees is imperceptible to the human ear. Trees are connected to each other through an underground network of mycorrhizae, fungi that connect with each other and with the roots of the trees. In other words, trees communicate through their roots, and through them, vital resources such as carbon or water are transferred. But they also share more complex information and establish different types of relationships that allow them to be alert to possible dangers.
Mycorrhizal network. Photo: Brendan George Ko (NY Times)
It is important to note that communication occurs when a fungus connects to the roots of two or more plants, thus forming a communication bridge between them. And it is through an underground conduit that signals and nutrients are transferred between plants, regardless of their species.If we thought that we were the only resilient beings, we were very wrong. Because forests are characterized by their resilience as they function as a community. All plants establish connections and interactions on the ground, which gives them the ability to collaborate and become stronger.
Photo: Brendan George Ko (NY Times)
A curious fact that we found very funny is that the communication network that has between they It is known as Wood Wide Web , which evokes the term World Wide Web .This news makes it clear to us that forests and trees are much more than what we see.
* You can read a report on tree communication at this link .
