The Wonderful World of Fungi

Fungi form a hidden network that runs through the Earth like a system of life-giving veins. Scientists are only just beginning to understand the vital role fungi plays, poised between the plant and animal worlds. It’s a mystery that is gradually being solved.

Life on Earth wouldn’t be possible without fungi. Yet they largely elude our view, as they form a finely tuned network that runs through the soil of the forests. Everywhere on Earth. Whether in the centuries-old rainforests of Tasmania or in China's Yunnan Province - researchers are trying to understand exactly how fungi maintain the balance of ecosystems. 

So much more than mushrooms, fungi shape weather and support life on land. They’re also at the cutting edge of medical research, and even have the power to break down plastic waste.

Whether under the microscope or in the woods, the dazzling images in this documentary immerse you in the mysterious world of mushrooms.