¨     The Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement has been awarded to American scientist Toby Kiers for her pioneering work on mycorrhizal fungal networks.

¨     The Tyler Prize is often referred to as the “Nobel for the environment” for recognising outstanding environmental achievements.
¨     Vast underground fungal webs have been shown to act as nutrient-trading systems between plants and roots, regulating the Earth’s climate.
¨     These mycorrhizal networks draw down around 13.12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, helping to reduce global emissions.
¨     The importance of these networks was brought into focus through a global Underground Atlas launched by Toby Kiers and her colleagues.
¨     The research revealed that mycorrhizal fungi are one of Earth’s vital circulatory systems rather than merely plant companions.
¨     The findings provide critical insights that can guide conservation efforts to protect underground biodiversity.
¨     Toby Kiers is a University Research Chair at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and a leading evolutionary biologist.
¨     Her work highlights the role of soil ecosystems in long-term climate regulation and carbon storage.