Forests are considered the green lung of our Planet and are essential for its health, as well as our own. However, climate change is putting a strain on their health, altering their ecosystem.
Research at Stanford University in the US has determined that climate change will disrupt some centuries-old plant partnerships, such as that between quaking aspens (Populus tremula) and fungi.
Indeed, between the roots and in the soil are networks of fungi that help quaking aspens and similar trees to absorb water and nutrients, and fungi that cause plant diseases. According to scientists, climate change will break the balance between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ fungi.
Unfortunately, rising temperatures and changing rainfall intensity and frequency are decreasing the fungi that benefit the soil and tree roots while stimulating the growth of potentially harmful fungi.
The question now is how to counter this dangerous trend for the Earth.