How to map quadrillions of miles of underground fungi

NPR | By Zephyr Weinreich,

Patrick Jarenwattananon, Adrian Florido

Published June 16, 2026 at 5:29 PM EDT

NPR's Adrian Florido speaks with ecologist Justin Stewart about mapping the complex network of fungi connecting the Earth's plants.

Zephyr Weinreich

Patrick Jarenwattananon

See stories by Patrick Jarenwattananon

Adrian Florido

Adrian Florido is a national correspondent for NPR covering race and identity in America.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.