Chile's Ancient Trees Hide a 'Hidden World' of Fungi Crucial for Forest Survival

• Scientists discovered a vast, ancient underground fungal network beneath Chile's giant Alerce trees.
• These fungi transport water and nutrients, store carbon, and protect the forest from environmental stress.
• A 2,400-year-old Alerce tree harbored over 300 unique fungal species, double that of smaller trees.
• Mycorrhizal fungi annually transfer 1 billion tons of carbon into the soil, vital for combating global warming.
• Cutting down old-growth trees destroys this irreplaceable underground ecosystem, which new trees cannot replicate.