Scientists have discovered that fungi which live on roots absorb roughly one-third of our planet's annual carbon emissions.
Their report published in Current Biology looks at how mycorrhizal fungi, which grow on the root systems of at least 70% of all plants, convert the nutrients they feed on into carbon which stays buried.
The researchers say this could be harnessed to help in the fight against climate change.
Co-author and professor of plant-soil processes at the University of Sheffield, Dr Katie Field, spoke to Corin Dann.
