Beneath the surface of our cities lies a hidden and vital system that supports the health of urban forests: mycorrhizal networks. These underground fungal connections, often called the “wood wide web,” link the roots of trees and plants, allowing them to share nutrients, water, and chemical signals. At Neftaly, we are exploring how these networks influence the survival, resilience, and biodiversity of trees in urban environments.
Urban areas present significant challenges for trees—soil compaction, pollution, heat stress, and isolation from other vegetation. Mycorrhizal fungi help trees navigate these stressors by enhancing their access to essential resources and strengthening ecological interactions.
Why Mycorrhizal Networks Matter in Cities:
- Nutrient Sharing: Fungal networks transport nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients between trees, supporting both young and mature individuals in nutrient-poor urban soils.
- Increased Stress Tolerance: Mycorrhizal associations help trees manage drought, salinity, and other urban stressors by improving water uptake and boosting immunity.
- Facilitating Coexistence: Diverse tree species can coexist more effectively when linked by mycorrhizal networks, supporting greater biodiversity across city landscapes.
- Support for Tree Seedlings: Fungi can connect seedlings to mature trees, offering a lifeline in harsh urban conditions where young trees often struggle to establish.
Neftaly’s Research and Applications:
- Urban Soil Health Assessments: Studying the presence and diversity of mycorrhizal fungi across different urban environments and tree species.
- Biodiversity Monitoring: Investigating how fungal networks influence tree community composition, survival rates, and resilience over time.
- Planting and Restoration Guidelines: Recommending soil treatments, planting combinations, and management practices that promote healthy mycorrhizal associations.
- Policy Advocacy: Promoting the inclusion of soil microbiome health in urban forestry and green infrastructure policies.
At Neftaly, we believe that nurturing what’s beneath the trees is just as important as caring for their canopies. By understanding and supporting mycorrhizal networks, we can build stronger, more biodiverse, and more climate-resilient urban forests.