Researchers have created the first complete digital map of the Earth's arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, showing the massive size and ecological importance of these underground networks.

研究人員創建了首張地球叢枝菌根真菌的完整數位地圖，展示了這些地下網絡的龐大規模與生態重要性。

The Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (Spun) used machine-learning models and 16,000 soil samples to estimate that these fungal networks reach a total length of 110 quadrillion kilometers. These fungi have existed for about 475 million years and work together with roughly 70% of land plants. In this relationship, the fungi provide water and nutrients to the plants in exchange for carbon. Furthermore, the amount of carbon stored by this biomass is estimated to be five times greater than that of the entire human population, which helps regulate the global climate.

地下網絡保護協會（Spun）利用機器學習模型與 16,000 份土壤樣本，估計這些真菌網絡的總長度達 110 萬億公里。這些真菌已存在約 4.75 億年，並與約 70% 的陸上植物共生。在這種關係中，真菌為植物提供水分與養分，以換取碳。此外，此生物量儲存的碳量估計是全人類總人口的五倍，有助於調節全球氣候。

Analysis shows that the densest networks are found in grasslands, such as the Tibetan plateau, the Florida Everglades, and the Sudd in South Sudan. However, there is a clear difference between wild and farmed lands. Fungal density in croplands is about 47% to 50% lower than in natural areas. Experts emphasize that this damage is caused by mechanical plowing, chemical fertilizers, and antifungal medicines. For example, research from the University of Leeds shows that these chemicals can reduce fungal density by 70% and root connection by 80%.

分析顯示，最密集的網絡分佈在草原，例如青藏高原、佛羅里達大沼澤與南蘇丹的 Sudd 濕地。然而，野生土地與農耕土地之間存在明顯差異。耕地的真菌密度比自然區域低約 47% 至 50%。專家強調，這種損害是由機械耕種、化學肥料與抗真菌藥物造成的。例如，利茲大學的研究顯示，這些化學物質可使真菌密度降低 70%，根部連接降低 80%。

Organizations suggest that restoring these microbial communities is necessary to make soil stronger and reduce chemical pollution in water. Possible solutions include adding fungal spores to the soil and using farming methods that involve less plowing. These results will be presented to policymakers at the United Nations desertification summit in Mongolia.

相關組織建議，必須恢復這些微生物群落，才能使土壤更強壯並減少水中的化學污染。可行方案包括在土壤中加入真菌孢子，以及採用減少耕種的農法。這些結果將在蒙古舉行的聯合國防治荒漠化峰會上提交給政策制定者。

This study provides a starting point for measuring underground health and highlights the urgent need to protect fungal networks to ensure food security and climate stability.

這項研究為衡量地下健康提供了一個起點，並強調保護真菌網絡的迫切性，以確保糧食安全與氣候穩定。