<aside> 🌱 Mycorrhizal Networks (also known as Common Mycorrhizal Networks or CMN) are underground networks created by mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi connect individual plants together, allowing them to transfer water, carbon and nitrogen as well as other minerals.
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<aside> 🌱 Mycorrhizal fungi allow plants to absorb more nutrients and water from the soil. They also improve plant tolerance to environmental changes. They are able to colonise the plant’s roots and create a symbiotic relationship called “Mycorrhizal”. These relationships are important as they provide an extra source of resources for plants.
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<aside> 🌱 There are two main types of mycorrhizal fungi:
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<aside> 🌱 These form mutual symbiotic bonds with woody plants such as birch, oak and spruce. They are mainly active on trees and provide an important role in ecosystem management and restoration. Unlike other mycorrhizae, they do not penetrate the cell’s walls.
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<aside> 🌱 These facilitate the exchange of nutrients between the host plant and the soil. This benefits both organisms as the mycorrhizal increases the plant’s surface area making it easier to acquire nutrients in areas of drought.
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