looming flux(therefour)
from symbiotic muck
summoned by Mother Oak
now spurt from mycelium
to merge near and welcome baby
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By Dr. Mercola:
The name mycorrhiza literally means fungus-root. These fungi form a symbiotic relationship with the plant, colonizing the roots and sending extremely fine filaments far out into the soil that act as root extensions. Not only do these networks sound the alarm about invaders, but the filaments are more effective in nutrient and water absorption than the plant roots themselves—mycorrhizae increase the nutrient absorption of the plant 100 to 1,000 times.
In one thimbleful of healthy soil, you can find several MILES of fungal filaments, all releasing powerful enzymes that help dissolve tightly bound soil nutrients, such as organic nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron. The networks can be enormous—one was found weaving its way through an entire Canadian forest, with each tree connected to dozens of others over distances of 30 meters.
These fungi have been fundamental to plant growth for 460 million years. Even more interesting, mycorrhizae can even connect plants of different species, perhaps allowing interspecies communication.
More than 90 percent of plant species have these naturally-occurring symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizae, but in order for these CMNs to exist, the soil must be undisturbed. Erosion, tillage, cultivation, compaction, and other human activities destroy these beneficial fungi, and they are slow to colonize once disrupted. Therefore, intensively farmed plants don’t develop mycorrhizae and are typically less healthy, as a result.
Communication (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2017
Communication (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2017
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Interesting information. Great photos.
Thank you, Iris! 🙂
You’re welcome, Tom 🙂
Very interesting Tom! Most of what we hear of ecology is about survival of the fittest. But from what i’ve learned facilitation and symbiotic relationships are way more important. The view of separation versus the holistic view. The beauty of the holistic view is that the survival part is included and not ignored. But it’s put into the right perspective as this post points out
Yes, Pieter! 🙂 There’s a lot going on that’s somewhat like what takes place in the movie Avatar. There’s a lot of cooperation (and competition)… just like in human society. We need to be more appreciative of the cooperation aspect!
“…perhaps allowing interspecies communication” this conjured up for me the vastness of mycorrhizae connectedness, astonishing.
Yes, tiramit, it’s a lot more involved than most realize… a bit, like i mentioned to Pieter, like the movie Avatar. On YouTube, you can find a video, by one biologist, that shows how a large pine tree sends extra sugars, via the fungi, to one of its offspring (quite some distance away). 🙂
I was not aware of how these fungi function. Very interesting.
Thanks, Sandy! 🙂 Yes, the plants get micronutrients — from the fungi — that their roots cannot reach, and the fungi get processed sugars from the plants; plus there is communication going on that helps both.
that’s really interesting, Thomas. Have a nice weekend, regards Mitza
Thanks, Mitza! You have a wonderful weekend too! 🙂
It has always mesmerized me…this vast interconnectedness!
Yes, Maria! It’s truly amazing, isn’t it! 🙂 More need to be appreciative of it!
Informative post and excellent photos.
Much appreciated, Belinda! 🙂
That’s fascinating! I had no idea there were such miles of these little filaments creeping along undisturbed underground. 🙂
Yes, like i mentioned to Sandy, the plants get micronutrients — from the fungi — that their roots cannot reach, and the fungi get processed sugars from the plants; plus there is communication going on that helps both. The communication is deeper than most realize! 🙂
Oh I’m sure of it. 🙂
PS Sorry for the re-follow – when meaning to press the Send button for my comment, I accidentally hit the Follow button and unfollowed you – – but only for an instant! 🙂
For an instant, i felt a pang from the spear of emptiness, but then it quickly subsided. (I also have some swamp land for sale at a decent price!) 🙂
haha 😀
Nature never ceases to amaze me.
4 sure, Karen! 🙂
Interesting.
Thank you, Rupali!