Ancient trees in Chile harbor rich fungal networks
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Scientists in Chile discovered that the country’s largest and oldest Alerce trees, Fitzroya cupressoides, support significantly more fungal life beneath their roots than younger trees do.
Researchers collected soil samples from 31 Alerce trees, including the Gran Abuelo, estimated to be over 5,400 years old. They used DNA analysis to identify fungal communities, finding that fungal richness increased with tree size and biomass.
The Gran Abuelo held 361 unique fungal operational taxonomic units, or OTUs, in its soil, 2.25 times more than the average sample. These underground fungal networks play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter, cycling nutrients, and supporting plant life. The study suggests that older, larger trees act as biodiversity “vaults,” accumulating unique fungal communities over centuries. This means losing an ancient Alerce tree could result in the loss of an entire ecosystem developed over a very long time.
However, Alerce trees are currently endangered, with only 40% of their natural distribution protected. Habitat destruction from roads and increasing wildfires due to climate change threaten both the trees and the fungal networks they support. Researchers hope this finding will strengthen conservation efforts, as preserving these ancient trees can also protect a hidden world beneath the soil. The team also found that fungal diversity was higher in soils with less available phosphorus.
