WWW is an immensely popular abbreviation in the current world. But the trees are giving a very interesting turn to the concept of WWW. 

According to ancient beliefs, trees can talk among themselves. But the entire process is seemingly new to the science world, as it is still exploring this. Deep under the layers of dirt and mud, trees talk to each other. Scientists are now confirming that the forest might be one huge superorganism. The trees are connected through fungal highways beneath the layers of mud and dirt. But what is even more surprising is that the trees do not only talk among themselves. They even communicate with other species, which is believed to help to reduce the selfish competition among them. 

The Wood-Wide Web

Around 600 million years ago, symbiotic relationships developed between funguses and plants. It is called mycorrhiza. The word for fungus and root comes from Greek.

This is how it functions: Fungi provide the trees with minerals, nutrients, and a communication network in exchange for the sugars and carbon produced by the plants.

The mycorrhizal network spreads throughout the forest similar to an internet connection. Fungal hyphae threads create a road and blend with tree roots. Once the network is created, items such as sugars, nitrogen, phosphorous, water, carbon, hormones are then sent and received. 

Hundreds of other trees can connect to one tree and send out signals. Through these fungi and tree roots, bacteria and other microbes swap nutrients.

This “Wood Wide Web” was first mapped globally by scientists in 2019. The first global map of a mycorrhizal fungal network has since been produced in an international study. It could, most importantly, be the Earth’s oldest and most important social network.

Community dependency

Connected trees, therefore, have a clear advantage and resilience. However, it becomes vulnerable if you cut a tree off from the network. They are often much more likely to succumb to the disease.

Unfortunately, this complex ecosystem is demolished by practices such as clear-cutting or forest replacement of a single species. Trees not taping into the community network are vulnerable to disease and bugs. This makes harvesting unsustainable.

Ancient beliefs surrounding the concept

Scientists are now able to confirm that trees communicate socially. The idea is not new, however. For instance, the Pacific Northwest people, known as the Tsimshian, have known for centuries that life in the forests is connected.

Although there is still a lot to discover, the idea of trees having a language and way of communication of their own is indeed thrilling in itself. Isn’t it?

The best of skin care in a PlantScience CareBox

If you haven’t checked our plant-based skincare solutions available now in India, you are missing something unique. Being a company driven by doctors who believe in researching the best things in nature to cure human ailments, we have spent decades worth of time decoding the secrets from the plant world and converting them into efficient natural products. Visit our store today to understand more about how you can benefit.

Plant Science CareBox is an amazing opportunity sample the best of PlantScience before getting hooked. Our CareBox comes with a promise of skin care, hair care, hand care and the best face care solutions in a simple gift box. Click here to check out the CareBox here on amazon.

WHAT IS PLANTSCIENCE?

PlantScience blog is an insightful discussion to understand and explain the science behind the great success of plants – how plants live, survive. Nature at its best is a great repository of knowledge and most of it is still a mystery to our minds. However, at Atrimed PlantScience, we have resolved to investigate, comprehend, and apply nature’s best-kept secrets for the benefit of our health. We believe in thinking beyond, knowing beyond and using the best research capabilities to understand the science plants use to live, thrive, adapt and grow. In this blog, you will find details of some interesting plant facts, the science behind them, snippets of history, updates about science and many interesting secrets. Read, subscribe, share your comments about PlantScience with us. Thank you!

You might like our PlantScience skincare offerings that will help heal, restore and nurture your skin in the most natural way – With the goodness of plants in their purest form and in the scientific way possible. Click here to check out our PlantScience store today.