Food Forest Podcast
as guest
How Fungi Shape Life on Earth
Dr. Justin Stewart
In this episode of the Food Forest Podcast, Louis De Jaeger speaks with Dr. Justin Stewart, Quantitative Ecologist at the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks, about the fascinating hidden world of fungi and their essential role in healthy ecosystems. Justin explores how mycorrhizal fungi connect with plants, cycle nutrients and carbon, and shape the resilience of landscapes.
The conversation also dives into new ways of studying fungal networks using robotics and AI, the impact of agriculture on fungal diversity, and the potential of fungi to transform ecological restoration. From their ancient evolutionary relationship with plants to their role as indicators of ecosystem health, this episode reveals why understanding fungi could change the way we manage our land.
Key takeaways
- - Fungi are fundamental to healthy ecosystems.
- Mycorrhizal fungi form powerful plant partnerships.
- Fungal networks drive nutrient and carbon cycling.
- Fungi have shaped plant evolution.
- Agriculture can threaten fungal diversity.
- AI and robotics are opening new ways to study fungi.
- Fungi could transform ecological restoration.
- Fungal networks reveal ecosystem health.
- Healthy soils depend on thriving fungal communities.
- Understanding fungi can reshape agriculture.
Useful links
- - Our recent Science paper: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu4373
- The interactive global fungal network map: https://a-hidden-infrastructure.spun.earth/story
- SPUN Web Site: https://spun.earth
- SPUN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spununderground
- SPUN YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@spununderground
- MiCRop: https://www.microp.org
- About Underground Advocates Program: https://mothlife.org/news/announcing-the-spunxmoth-underground-advocates-program/
