When a tree is wounded, mycorrhizal networks carry chemical signals within seconds, alerting neighboring trees; this communication network can extend meters through the soil. These invisible networks function like a soil internet where plants share their strengths and weaknesses, but we never hear it—we can only understand it when we see a timely strengthened tree, resilient to an unexpected drought. Perhaps the forest is not silent, but simply speaks in another language.
Root underground telephone line
When a tree is wounded, mycorrhizal networks carry chemical signals within seconds, alerting neighboring trees; this communication network can extend meters through the soil. These invisible networks…
Scale
100km
Detection method
Microscope
Visibility
5%
Technical data
How is this invisible signal measured?
The values below reflect the typical range of this phenomenon.
Duration
Continuous
Detection
Microscope
Scale
100km
Visibility
5%
Signal signature
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