Researchers observed fungi talking to each other in the forest
Summary
According to a new paper featured in the journal Fungal Ecology, ectomycorrhizal fungi, which grow as capped stalks above the ground, also form massive networks of roots that stretch outward underground, allowing them to talk to each other. While we have known about the existence of these mycelial networks, the study of them has been difficult, and often limited to tests within laboratory setups. Now, though, a group of scientists have conducted a field study, gaining more evidence of how fungi communication occurs. However, they discovered that the signals spiked after rainfall, leading them to believe that the fungi communicate more intensely after fresh rain has fallen. Future studies like this could help scientists better investigate the electrical communication between fungi in real-world locations.