World’s vast networks of underground fungi to be mapped for first time

Project aims to help protect some of trillions of miles of the circulatory system of the planet'

Vast networks of underground fungi - the circulatory system of the planet" - are to be mapped for the first time, in an attempt to protect them from damage and improve their ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide.

Fungi use carbon to build networks in the soil, which connect to plant roots and act as nutrient highways", exchanging carbon from plant roots for nutrients. For instance, some fungi are known to supply 80% of phosphorus to their host plants.