Mycorrhizal Network Signaling in Temperate Forest Understory
Chen L, Berglund T, Nakamura K
Summary
PubMedMycorrhizal fungi connecting oak and beech trees transfer 3x more carbon during drought, acting as adaptive resource-sharing networks.
chevron_right Technical Details
Key Findings
Bidirectional carbon transfer via Cortinarius glaucopus
3x transfer rate increase under drought
Networks span up to 15m between trees
Original Abstract
We characterized chemical signaling pathways in ectomycorrhizal networks connecting Quercus and Fagus species. Using isotope tracing, we demonstrate bidirectional carbon transfer mediated by Cortinarius glaucopus, with transfer rates 3x higher during drought stress. Results suggest mycorrhizal networks function as adaptive resource-sharing systems under climate pressure.
This connects to 10 other discoveries — 2 species, 3 topics, 5 related articles
An oak is a hardwood tree or shrub in the genus Quercus of the beech family. They have spirally arranged leaves, often with lobed edges, and a nut called an acorn, borne within a cup. The genus is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, with some 500 species, both deciduous and evergreen. ...
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