How to Harness the Ancient Partnership between Forests and Fungi | Colin Averill | TED

TL;DR

Soil microorganisms, particularly fungi, play a crucial role in the health and growth of forests, and harnessing their potential through microbial restoration can combat climate change and enhance ecosystem services.

Transcript

So we know forests play an essential role in regulating the Earth's climate. However, most of what we know about those forests is actually based on things we can measure aboveground. So historically, ecologists like myself would come to this place, and we’d count the number of tree stems we’d find. We’d identify which species they are, and today we... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌍 Forest ecology: Most of our understanding of forests is based on aboveground measurements, but belowground ecology, including the role of soil and microorganisms, is crucial for understanding forest systems.
• 🌿 Symbiotic relationships: Trees form partnerships with mycorrhizal fungi, which help them access nutrients in the soil. These partnerships have existed for millions of years and are essential for plant survival.
• 💡 Microbial diversity: Soil is teeming with a diverse range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists, and viruses. DNA sequencing has allowed us to study these communities in unprecedented detail.
• 🌱 Human microbiome: The human body is also a microbial ecosystem, and studying the microbiome has led to breakthroughs in human health. Combining DNA sequencing with health data has allowed scientists to identify bacterial combinations linked to various health outcomes.
• 🌳 Impact of fungi on tree growth: The specific fungi that colonize tree roots can have a significant impact on tree growth and carbon capture. The presence of diverse and different fungal communities is linked to faster tree growth and carbon sequestration.
• 🌐 Forest microbiome restoration: By reintroducing microbial biodiversity into forests, researchers have observed accelerated tree growth and increased carbon capture. Rewilding the forest microbiome has the potential to combat climate change and enhance forest ecosystems.
• 🌱 Biodiversity in agriculture: Taking a biodiversity-first approach in agriculture, both for food and forest crops, may have significant benefits. In contrast to current monoculture practices, rewilding soil in managed landscapes could enhance yields and ecosystem services.
• 🔬 DNA sequencing revolution: DNA sequencing is shedding new light on the microbial world, allowing us to study microscopic organisms like fungi in unprecedented detail. This revolution in our understanding is transforming how we manage and study ecosystems at a foundational level.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do mycorrhizal fungi benefit trees in accessing soil resources?

Mycorrhizal fungi form a symbiotic partnership with trees, helping them access limiting soil resources such as water and nutrients. The fungal hyphae extend far beyond the reach of the tree roots, effectively increasing the surface area for nutrient absorption. In return, the fungi receive sugars and other organic compounds from the tree through photosynthesis.

Q: How does the diversity of fungi in a forest affect tree growth and carbon capture?

Research has shown that the specific community of fungi that colonizes a tree's roots can greatly impact its growth and carbon capture abilities. Forests with a diverse range of fungi on their roots tend to experience faster tree growth rates and higher rates of carbon dioxide uptake from the atmosphere. Biodiverse and different fungal communities have been found to be more beneficial than a single dominant species or strain.

Q: What are some potential strategies for rewilding the forest microbiome?

One approach is microbial restoration, where soil sourced from forests with potentially high-performing fungi is reintroduced into managed timber forestry landscapes. By reintroducing microbial biodiversity, tree growth and carbon capture can be accelerated. This method has shown promising results, but further large-scale field trials in various locations are needed for more data and understanding.

Q: How does the soil microbiome relate to the Human Microbiome Project?

The Human Microbiome Project, which characterized the bacteria in our bodies and its impact on health, inspired a similar approach in studying the forest microbiome. By sequencing DNA from soil samples, researchers can identify the microorganisms present and how they affect forest health. This knowledge can then be used to develop microbial restoration strategies and combat climate change.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Forest ecosystems are not just aboveground, but are also influenced by the complex interactions between trees, fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms in the soil.

• The symbiotic relationship between trees and mycorrhizal fungi allows for the uptake of soil resources and plays a vital role in carbon capture.

• By understanding and manipulating the forest microbiome, specifically through microbial restoration, we can potentially enhance the growth, carbon capture, and overall health of forests.