A Neat But Freaky Fact About The Forest

[deb1]

My husband is taking a basic biology course. The teacher is a botanist. She told the class something that just seems amazing to me.

Apparently the trees in the forest are all interconnected underground and that they pass nutrients between one another.

http://www.pcdf.org/meadows/trees.html

But what she said that was really freaky was that the entire forest might have some level of awareness that someone new has entered it.

I got this information from my hubby who isn't always the best reporter of facts. So, if any of you know any more information about this, I would love to hear it. I can't find any articles on the subject.

His teacher is NOT a new age type of person. She seems very matter of fact.

I just thought that for any of you who enjoy nature or a walk in the forest, that might be something pretty cool to mull over.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

I know we use dozers to dig roots up on fire lines to keep fires from burningthrew the roots under ground past the fire line.

 

[OhMyItsAndyy]

Wow thats wierd... Though i'm sure htye'd know i meant them NO harm... Save our tree's!

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Many plants (trees included) have mycorrhizall connections that are helpful in the exchange of nutrients. These are types of fungi, algae, and/or bacteria that help with nitrogen fixation and nutrient uptake. That is why so much diversity can be found in the rainforest, but the soil is very poor. The plants use the mycorrihizae!

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
So then I just need to plant my garden under a tree

My soil is horrible!

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Quote:
So then I just need to plant my garden under a tree

My soil is horrible!

Hey, it may help! Many people think that "dirt" (ahem, "soil" for us Biologists) is not alive, but it is very much alive. It is FULL of living organisms that are very beneficial to a variety of plant life.

 

[HLAC]

Allelopathic plants like Black walnuts are real killjoys then, aren't they?

 

[Goose and Fig]

Sounds like Avatar

Seriously- if the settlers would have paid more attention to the Native Americans.....They knew this stuff hundreds of years ago.

 

[deb1]

Quote:
My husband mentioned that she said something about fungi.

It sounds like something invented in a fantasy novel, doesn't it?