Friday, May 30, 2025
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Deep within the forest, beneath our feet, lies a nearly invisible but essential network of life that underpins the balance of entire ecosystems. It’s mycelium, a vast underground fungal network that plays a crucial role in soil health and plant connectivitys
By Rafael Hernández
Mycelium, that vast network of underground filaments, is one of the most complex and essential biological systems sustaining life on Earth. Although often overlooked, its presence is vital to maintaining ecological balance, particularly in forests and wetlands. This underground network, formed by fungi's threads, not only connects trees and plants with each other, but also facilitates a series of natural processes that sustain life on Earth's surface.
Given that fungi were among the first organisms to inhabit the land, some 1.3 billion years ago, mycelium’s role in preserving the planet is of great importance. As mycologist and writer Paul Stamets highlighted in his famous TED talk on six ways mushrooms can save the world, mycelium played a fundamental part in the evolutionary process spanning millions of years. During that long journey, it produced oxalic acids that helped break down rocks, a process that significantly contributed to soil formation and the Earth’s transformation.
One of the primary benefits of mycelium lies in nutrient absorption: through its network, fungi can decompose organic matter and release essential nutrients for plants. Without it, plants would have difficulty accessing minerals and vital elements such as phosphorus and nitrogen, necessary for their growth. In addition, plant roots form a symbiotic relationship with mycelium, allowing them to absorb water more efficiently. In this way, mycelium plays a central role in regulating the water cycle, improving the health of forests and wetlands, vital for human and animal well-being.
Benefits beyond roots
Mycelium also serves as a reminder of nature’s deep interconnection. Its underground network not only links plants together, but also fosters cooperation among species, promoting a natural balance that benefits all living beings. Beyond its importance to ecosystems, mycelium also offers innovative possibilities for science and sustainability: recent research has shown that mycelium can be used in various applications, such as producing biodegradable materials, cleaning contaminated soils, and even the possibility of living on other planets. These breakthroughs highlight mycelium as a natural ally that could play a key role in addressing some of today’s most urgent environmental challenges.
What’s more, the expanding size of forests in recent decades has indirectly boosted the growth and health of mycelial networks. In Europe, forest cover has grown significantly in countries like Spain and Sweden, contributing to the expansion of these underground ecosystems. This growth has been accompanied by increased protection of natural habitats, where mycelium thrives and helps species to stay healthy.
In this context, reforestation and the sustainable management of forests are key actions to ensure that this biological network continues to fulfill its role in protecting the environment. There are robust measures in place to ensure the conservation of mycelium and the ecosystems that support it. International initiatives such as the Bonn Challenge, which aims to restore degraded forests, also take into account soil preservation and groundwater biodiversity. In addition, efforts to protect wetlands and forests in critical areas, such as the Amazon and mountainous regions, ensure that mycelium continues to play its essential role in these ecosystems.
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