The question of how intelligent plants and fungi are has been increasingly explored by scientists, as they have delved into the capability of these lifeforms to perceive and communicate with each other and the outside world.
A new study has found that fungi can not only perceive, but learn, have memories, solve problems and make decisions.
“You’d be surprised at just how much fungi are capable of,” said Yu Fukasawa, as assistant professor in the graduate school of agricultural science at Tohoku University, in a press release from Tohoku University. “They have memories, they learn, and they can make decisions. Quite frankly, the differences in how they solve problems compared to humans is mind-blowing.”
When you see mushrooms growing on the surface of soil, the small umbrella-like caps are really the fruiting bodies of an expansive underground mycelium below. The mycelium is an intricate and complex fungal network germinated and formed by spores. This subterranean web of long, spidery threads spreads underground like roots and is similar to the brain’s neural connections.
In the study, the researchers looked at how a mycelial network growing on decaying wood responded to two distinct situations: wood blocks arranged in a cross arrangement versus in a circle.
If the fungi did not have decision-making skills, they would spread out from the center without being affected by the placement of the blocks. However, this is not what happened.
“For the cross arrangement, the degree of connection was greater in the outermost four blocks. It was hypothesized that this was because the outermost blocks can serve as ‘outposts’ for the mycelial network to embark in foraging expeditions, therefore more dense connections were required,” the press release said. “In the circle arrangement, the degree of connection was the same at any given block. However, the dead center of the circle remained clear. It was proposed that the mycelial network did not see a benefit in overextending itself in an already well-populated area.”
But how were the fungi in the study able to perceive the blocks?
“Probably through touch and ‘taste,’ Fukasawa told EcoWatch in an email. “While contact certainly influences mycelial behavior, they likely need to ‘taste’ the wood blocks to recognize them as a resource. This ‘tasting’ could involve secreting enzymes to break down the wood surface (e.g., cellulose) and absorb the resulting low-molecular sugars (e.g., glucose). Additionally, fungi may also ‘smell’ the wood, meaning they can detect volatile chemicals released, which might either promote or inhibit mycelial growth.”
Fukasawa said the question of whether fungi have memories is “a poorly explored but fascinating topic.”
“There may be several mechanisms of fungal memory, with the longevity of the memory potentially depending on the specific mechanism. One possibility is cellular-level memory, based on organelle dynamics such as the cytoskeleton and aggregates of small vesicles (called Spitzenkörper), which may produce relatively short-term memory,” Fukasawa told EcoWatch. “Studies suggest that memory of growth direction at the hyphal tip could be maintained for at least the length of a 100 µm hyphal growth. However, if memory is stored through other mechanisms, such as epigenetic changes in cellular activity, it could last longer.”
The findings suggest that the network of mycelia could communicate information regarding its surroundings throughout the whole fungal network. The mycelium was also able to alter its direction of growth based on the shape of the blocks.
“Our comprehension of the mysterious world of fungi is limited, especially when compared to our knowledge of plants and animals. This research will help us better understand how biotic ecosystems function and how different types of cognition evolved in organisms,” the press release said.
Fukasawa told EcoWatch that, not only are fungi important to ecosystems, they also help mitigate climate change.
“The main known functions of fungi in ecosystems are categorized as decomposers, symbionts, and pathogens. These functions often overlap (i.e., a single fungal species can perform more than one function), and all are important to ecosystem processes. However, when we focus on mitigating climate change, their role as decomposers is undoubtedly the most significant,” Fukasawa explained. “Decomposer fungi break down plant carbon polymers into low-molecular-weight carbon compounds for energy, eventually releasing CO2 through respiration. Thus, decomposition is a process that releases CO2 into the atmosphere.”
Fukasawa said there are two different kinds of wood decomposition: white rot and brown rot. With white rot, the wood’s cellulose and lignin are broken down, and with brown rot, just the cellulose is broken down, while the lignin remains intact.
“These different types of decomposition can affect the amount of CO2 released during the process. Additionally, recent studies show that a diverse decomposer fungal community actually slows down wood decomposition, suggesting that higher diversity among decomposer fungi may reduce CO2 emissions from forest ecosystems,” Fukasawa told EcoWatch.
What can people do to better support fungal networks?
“I believe forest fragmentation is a significant issue. Networks of some fungi can spread over areas larger than 900 hectares across the forest floor. In such cases, forest fragmentation directly disrupts fungal networks,” Fukasawa said. “While fungi can spread through airborne spores, maintaining direct connections via mycelial networks is also crucial. Similar to plants and animals, creating green corridors between fragmented forests could help support fungal networks. This is important because fungal mycelial networks can transport a variety of materials and information, which may help improve locally degraded environments and enhance the overall functioning of the ecosystem.”
The study, “Spatial resource arrangement influences both network structures and activity of fungal mycelia: A form of pattern recognition?” was published in the journal Fungal Ecology.
The post ‘Mind-Blowing’: Study Shows Fungal Networks Can Solve Problems and Make Decisions appeared first on EcoWatch.
https://www.ecowatch.com/fungal-networks-problem-solving.html
Thoreau wrote in Walden that “Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in,” which reminds us that life is short and nature fills it beautifully. What are you looking for that can’t be found during an afternoon in nature?
Earth911 inspirations. Post them, share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day. Click the poster to get a larger image.
The post Earth911 Inspiration: Time Is but the Stream appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/inspire/earth911-inspiration-time-is-but-the-stream/
Green Living
Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action
Turn back the clock with this classic interview that will get you ready for Spring yard care planning. A lawn may be beautiful but it can take a heavy toll on the environment, accounting for between 30% and 60% of residential water use in the United States. Rob Moir, Ph.D., is president and executive director of the Ocean River Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ORI works with residential lawn owners to heal damaged ecosystems by restoring coastal areas to lessen the destructive impacts of climate change. The benefits of a natural lawn reach far beyond reduced local water pollution, eliminating chemicals that can contribute to cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cellular diseases. Natural lawns are also better for local pollinators and store much more carbon than heavily fertilized lawns. If you considered removing your lawn to play a part in the battle against climate change, this interview may change your mind — a healthy lawn is a powerful carbon sink.
The Ocean River Institute is recruiting Massachusetts communities, town by town, to take a pledge to follow natural lawn practices in the Healthy Soils for Climate Restoration Challenge. You don’t need to live in Massachusetts to participate and learn about the alternatives to the traditional, chemical-intensive lawn practices that use Roundup, a source of glyphosates that kills soil-dwelling fungi and local pollinators, and fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers. You can learn more about the Ocean River Institute at www.oceanriver.org.
Rob has contributed many articles about climate change and the history of environmental change since this interview, including:
- Finding a Northwest Passage to the Sea
- Turning the Tide—How Land and Water Shape Our Climate Future
- Learning from Captain Scoresby’s Ten-gallon Fir-Cask
- Earth Savvy?
- Let the Ground Keep Falling Rainwater
- The Sultans of Swag Versus Looking at Clouds from Both Sides Now
- Subscribe to Sustainability in Your Ear on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
- Follow Sustainability in Your Ear on Spreaker, iHeartRadio, or YouTube
Editor’s Note: This episode originally aired on May 30, 2022.
The post Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/podcast/earth911-podcast-the-ocean-river-institutes-natural-lawn-challenge-for-climate-action/
Choosing your perfect gown can be one of the most exciting decisions for your special day, but for the eco fashionista, it can be a challenge to find a dress that fits your values and style — but these brands have exceptional sustainable wedding dresses you’ll swoon over!
Using earth-minded materials like hemp, cruelty-free peace silk, deadstock recycled fabrics and vintage lace, and producing consciously, either in small batches or handcrafting each individual piece made-to-order, the brands below meet high standards for transparency, ecological sustainability, and fair labor.
[For more sustainable wedding dresses, check out this guide to secondhand wedding dress sites!]
Note that the guide contains affiliate links. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability we love, that we think you’ll love too!
1. Christy Dawn
Dreamy dress brand Christy Dawn does not disappoint with their romantic bridal collection! Each piece is more swoon-worthy than the next.
Their three sustainable bridal gowns are made from regenerative silk charmeuse —sourced through BOMBYX, an innovative silk producer using best practices — and colored in a beautiful pearl silk with non-toxic dyes. Each dress is ethically cut and sewn by makers in Los Angeles earning living wages, as with the rest of Christy Dawn’s collections.
The Britta Dress and Fitzgerald Dress are 1920s inspired while the Athena Dress is a more modern (but equally romantic) option. All of these dresses are made-to-order with an estimated timeline of 4 weeks.
Conscious Qualities: Regenerative silk and organic non-toxic dyes, ethically made-to-order in Los Angeles
Price Range: $2,500 – $3,000
Size Range: XS – XL
2. Pure Magnolia
Blending the traditional with the modern, Pure Magnolia designs classic-inspired sustainable wedding dresses with contemporary touches. And each dress is made in their Canadian studio by seamstresses earning fair wages from eco-fabrics, such as organic cotton and hemp silk.
The brand sources recycled fabrics whenever possible as well, and recycles their scrap fabric through FABCYCLE.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, locally and fairly made, recycles scrap fabrics
Price Range: $845 – $3,300 CAD
Size Range: 0 – 28
3. Lost in Paris
Lost in Paris crafts each of their creatively designed bohemian-inspired gowns ethically in their Sydney, Australia studio. Unconventional yet undeniably striking, Lost in Paris’ dresses are made from vintage lace and cotton.
Investing in a dress from Lost in Paris is seamless — the brand offers at-home sample try-ons, offers train and sleeve adjustments on several styles, ships their dresses worldwide for free, and even accepts returns. Oh, and, if one of their ready-made sizes doesn’t work for you, you can get a dress designed to your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses vintage lace, locally made
Price Range: $950 – $3900 AUD
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing options
For More Slow Fashion Content:
4. Wear Your Love
Wear Your Love creates feminine, effortless dresses in their Northern California studio that are — in contrast to the majority of wedding dresses on the market — actually comfortable! The brand’s free-spirited designs are made with soft, earth-minded fabrics like organic cotton and each dress is made to order for each bride to their exact measurements.
There are also customizations available for each eco-friendly wedding dress such as train or no train, skirt or sleeve linings, back coverage, skirt style, and more.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model, locally and transparently made
Price Range: $680 – $1,700
Size Range: N/A; dresses are made to your measurements
5. Larimeloom
Based in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Larimeloom crafts exceptional custom-made dresses by hand in their atelier. The brand creates comfortable minimalist dresses from durable natural fabrics and colors them with natural or non-toxic dyes.
Larimeloom has also implemented zero waste design techniques, cutting their patterns strategically in order to minimize fabric waste.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, zero-waste designs, natural fabrics and dyes
Price Range: 650€ – 2,650€
Size Range: XS – XL
6. Sister Organics
Sourcing quality earth-friendly natural fabrics like organic hemp and cotton, Sister Organics creates classic, eco-friendly wedding dresses for UK-based brides.
Each dress is made to order in England, so you can select a pre-defined size, customize the length of a size, or get an entirely different dress made for your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model
Price Range: £125 – £390
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing
7. Indiebride London
Indiebride’s vintage-inspired sustainable wedding dresses are delicate and romantic yet free-spirited, offering a unique collection for the bride that wants to skip the conventional wedding gown and choose a piece that fits their individual style.
The brand’s conscious wedding dresses are handmade in London using majority natural fibers and can be altered or customized to your specifications.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses many natural fabrics, locally made
Price Range: £1,200 – £1,700
Size Range: 8 – 16 (UK sizes)
More Resources For Your Eco Wedding:
10 Secondhand Wedding Dress Sites for the Eco Bride
7 Ethical Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement and Wedding Rings
17 Brands with Conscious Dresses (great options for bridesmaid dresses in here!)
The post 7 Best Sustainable Wedding Dresses for Your Special Day appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
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