In a forest deep in Italy’s Dolomite mountains, a multinational team of scientists recorded something extraordinary: spruce trees syncing their electrical activity, communicating with each other, just hours before a solar eclipse. Older trees responded first. To the research team, this suggests they may hold “ancient memories” and help guide younger trees, like elders anchoring a community. The research adds a rich new layer to our understanding of the underground network of roots and mycorrhizae as a dynamic, living intelligence that responds collectively to changes in the world (and worlds) around it. This trend underscores the broader ecological crisis, and is a big reason why we have a Featured Creature series in the first place. Every creature is an important part of some system. Birds play crucial roles in pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control. Their decline signals deeper environmental issues that also threaten human and non-human health and well-being.
Posted: May 14, 2025