How Forests Talk through the “Wood-Wide Web” — and Why That Matters to Us All

Deep beneath the forest floor lies a vast and intricate communication network, not made of wires or signals, but of fungi. Known scientifically as mycorrhizal networks and poetically as the “wood-wide web,” these underground fungal threads connect trees and plants, enabling them to exchange nutrients, send warnings, and even nurture one another.

Forest ecologist Dr. Suzanne Simard first popularized the concept of the wood-wide web. It transformed how we view forests – not as collections of individual trees, but as interconnected communities that thrive through cooperation. According to her, a forest is far more than what meets the eye. It’s a complex, interdependent network in which trees support one another as well as compete.

Mycorrhizal network. Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

How the Wood-Wide Web Works

Sources generally agree that mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with the roots of about 80-90% of all land plants. The fungi extend far beyond the roots, forming microscopic threads called hyphae that link plants together, sometimes spanning entire forests.

Through these underground fungal networks, often referred to as “fungal highways,” trees share vital nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, particularly with younger or ailing neighbors. Research has shown that these connections also allow trees to send warning signals about pests or diseases, prompting nearby trees to strengthen their defenses. What’s more, large, older trees (named “mother trees”) often function as central hubs within this network. The studies show they distribute resources to seedlings and help sustain the overall resilience of the forest.

Why This Matters for Humans

The wood-wide web is more than just a fascinating feature of forest life. It offers vital lessons and services for humanity as well. Healthy mycorrhizal networks enhance trees’ capacity to store carbon, a key factor in combating climate change. Forests currently absorb about 30% of all carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels each year. These fungal connections also play a crucial role in forest regeneration. After disturbances such as wildfires or logging, they help new saplings access essential resources and information, leading to faster and more resilient recovery. This is crucial in an era of increasing environmental stress. In addition, mycorrhizal fungi promote biodiversity by enabling trees and plants to coexist and cooperate rather than merely compete. This rich plant diversity, in turn, supports the broader web of insects, animals, and human communities that depend on healthy forest ecosystems.

The Need for Protection

Unfortunately, clear-cutting, soil compaction, and chemical pollution all disrupt these delicate fungal networks. Peer-reviewed studies show that once broken, they can take decades to recover, if they ever do. Industrial forestry practices that do not account for below-ground life often unknowingly destroy the very systems that sustain forests long term.

But there’s hope. More sustainable forest management, such as selective logging, preserving old-growth trees, and minimizing soil disturbance, can help protect these underground ecosystems. Some countries and forestry organizations are beginning to include fungal health indicators in their conservation efforts.

A Connected Future

The discovery of the wood-wide web reveals something deeply heartening: nature thrives on connection. Forests don’t just survive through competition. They flourish through cooperation and mutual support.

As we face global environmental challenges, the wood-wide web offers both a metaphor and a model. Just as trees support each other underground, so too must humans come together to protect the living networks that sustain life on Earth.