Globally, our forests support almost two-thirds of Earth’s terrestrial species, they are cooperative and resilient systems where connections and relationships are inseparable. However, this interdependence also creates serious vulnerabilities when forests are subjected to land and habitat degradation, industrialized forestry practices, short-sighted restoration projects, and a changing climate. In this episode, we talk about disturbances to forest ecosystems, the role of mycorrhizal networks, and the unbelievable importance of peatlands with guest Camille Defrenne. Camille spent four years during her Ph.D. studying Douglas-fir trees alongside Dr. Suzanne Simard. Camille found Douglas-fir trees rely as much on their roots and fungi as they do on their needles to adapt to the climate. Since then, Camille crossed the border and invaded the peatlands of Minnesota, a type of wetlands which are the world’s largest natural terrestrial carbon store. Supported by Dr. Colleen Iversen, she is now a postdoctoral research associate spying on roots and their fungal friends in one of the world’s largest peatland warming experiments.
Music by Harrison Foster, If By Whiskey, and Ali Dineen.
Visit our website at forthewild.world for the full episode description, references and action points.
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