American scientist Toby Kiers wins Tyler Prize for shedding light on hidden fungal networks

Wed Jan 14 06:39:34 UTC 2026: # Evolutionary Biologist Toby Kiers Awarded Tyler Prize for Unearthing Vital Fungal Networks

The Story:
American evolutionary biologist Toby Kiers has been awarded the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement for her groundbreaking work in highlighting the critical role of mycorrhizal networks in climate regulation and ecosystem health. Kiers’ research, including the creation of a global “Underground Atlas,” has revealed the vast carbon storage capacity of these underground fungal networks, which draw down an estimated 13.12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Her work has also exposed the need for greater conservation efforts to protect these largely overlooked ecosystems.

Key Points:

• Toby Kiers received the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement for her work on mycorrhizal networks.
• Mycorrhizal networks act as crucial climate regulators, drawing down 13.12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
• Kiers’ “Underground Atlas” maps the global distribution of mycorrhizal fungi.
• Her research has revealed that most hotspots of underground fungal diversity are outside ecologically protected areas.
• Kiers co-founded the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) to advocate for fungal biodiversity protection.
• SPUN is launching an “Underground Advocates” program to train scientists in legal tools for fungal conservation.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of underground fungal networks in climate regulation and ecosystem health is increasingly recognized.
• Conservation efforts must expand to include the protection of underground fungal biodiversity.
• Scientific research and advocacy are crucial for raising awareness and driving policy changes regarding fungal conservation.
• Toby Kiers’ work highlights the need to shift our perspective on soil and its role in sustaining life on Earth.
• The discovery of resource management via electric signals in these neural-less biological systems may have future design implications in robotic and automated systems.

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