Scientists have completed the first global map of Earth's underground fungal networks. These threadlike structures connect plant roots across entire ecosystems in what researchers call the mycorrhizal web—nature's own internet, billions of years old. The scale is remarkable: if laid end to end, the networks would span roughly ten percent of the Milky Way galaxy. But these aren't just passive conduits. Through these fungal pathways, plants share nutrients, water, and even chemical signals—allowing a forest to function as a connected whole. Live Science reports this landmark mapping reveals just how essential fungi are to soil health and ecosystem resilience. As the planet faces climate change, understanding these underground networks becomes increasingly critical.

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