Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake explores the mysterious, often overlooked, and maybe even underrepresented world of fungi. Sheldrake, a biologist with a deep passion for mycology, invites you to reconsider your understanding of life, ecosystems, and the interconnectedness of all living things through the lens of these fascinating organisms.
Image 1: Book cover of Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake.
As someone who has been working with tree planting projects for a few years now, one of the most intriguing aspects of Entangled Life is how it sheds light on the symbiotic relationship between fungi and trees.
Sheldrake explains how fungi, particularly mycorrhizal fungi, form vast underground networks that connect trees and plants, facilitating communication, warning systems, and nutrient exchange among them. On top of that, fungi are integral to the survival of forests because, through the process of mycorrhizal symbiosis, fungi assist trees in accessing water and nutrients from the soil, which can be particularly vital in nutrient-poor environments.
That everything is connected in one network, the “Wood Wide Web” as it’s often called, challenges our traditional view of forests as collections of individual trees, instead revealing them as dynamic, interconnected communities.
This confirms again that it makes sense for us at Go Forest to not only talk about and monitor single trees, but also the forest as a whole — the ecosystem made up of interconnected, interlinked, and mutually dependent trees we are planting with the help of our members.
Image 2: Go Forest project in the complex and interconnected Amazon Rainforest, Peru.
Beyond the ecological aspects, Entangled Life also touches on the potential of fungi in areas like medicine, environmental remediation, and food production. Sheldrake’s discussion of how fungi can break down pollutants, support plant growth, and even be used to create sustainable materials highlights the incredible potential of these organisms to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Sheldrake evoked a sense of wonder and curiosity in me; making me fascinated by the natural world once again. He even challenges you to reconsider your place within these networks and to recognize the amazing interdependencies that sustain life on Earth.
– written by Marte Greefs, operations manager at Go Forest.
Image 3: Go Forest reforestation project in Spain, in which the trees were mycorrhized to favor truffle production.
