The Wood Wide Web

How would you measure the World Wide Web? The term "wood wide web" is often used metaphorically to describe the intricate network of communication and resource exchange among trees and other plants through fungal mycorrhizal networks. This network allows trees to share nutrients and information and defend against pathogens. It's not a physical entity that can be measured like a tangible object, but its impact and functioning can be studied in various ways:

  1. Molecular Analysis: Researchers can study the genetic material and chemical signals exchanged between plants and fungi to understand the extent of communication.

  2. Field Studies: Observational studies in forests involve measuring the flow of resources (nutrients, carbon, water) between trees and fungi, as well as tracking changes in tree health in response to these connections.

  3. Isotope Tracing: Using isotopic analysis, scientists can trace the movement of specific elements like carbon and nitrogen through the wood wide web to understand resource sharing.

  4. Network Mapping: Researchers can create maps of the mycorrhizal network in a forest, depicting the connections between trees and fungi, though this is a complex and ongoing field of research.

  5. Ecological Impact: Assessing the ecological impact of the wood wide web involves studying how it influences forest health, diversity, and resilience to disturbances.

While these methods don't "measure" the wood wide web in a conventional sense, they provide insights into its existence, functioning, and ecological significance in forest ecosystems.π

  1. Smith, S. E., & Read, D. J. (2008). Mycorrhizal Symbiosis. Academic Press.

    • This comprehensive book on mycorrhizal symbiosis includes information on the wood wide web.

  2. Simard, S. W. (2009). The foundational role of mycorrhizal networks in self-organization of interior Douglas-fir forests. Forest Ecology and Management, 258(4), 1999-2009.

    • This paper discusses the role of mycorrhizal networks in the self-organization of forest ecosystems.

  3. Bingham, M. A., & Simard, S. W. (2011). Do mycorrhizal network benefits to survival and growth of interior Douglas-fir seedlings increase with soil moisture stress? Ecoscience, 18(4), 405-416.

    • This article explores the relationship between mycorrhizal networks and tree seedling survival and growth under different moisture conditions.

  4. Beiler, K. J., Durall, D. M., & Simard, S. W. (2015). A review of mycorrhizal networks. Journal of Forestry Research, 26(2), 135-144.

    • This review provides an overview of mycorrhizal networks and their ecological importance.

  5. Gorzelak, M. A., Asay, A. K., Pickles, B. J., & Simard, S. W. (2015). Inter-plant communication through mycorrhizal networks mediates complex adaptive behaviour in plant communities. AoB Plants, 7, plv050.

    • This paper discusses how mycorrhizal networks mediate communication and adaptive behavior in plant communities.

These references should provide a solid starting point for further reading and research into the wood wide web and mycorrhizal networks in forests. You can access these papers through academic databases or university libraries.