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March 14, 2026

‘My ideas are a little revolutionary’: ecologist Suzanne Simard on intelligent forests, the climate and her critics

Her research popularized the idea of the wood wide web, but the scientific backlash was brutal. As the author of The Mother Tree returns to the forest in a new book, she discusses her battle to reimagine our relationship with nature

‘My ideas are a little revolutionary’: ecologist Suzanne Simard on intelligent forests, the climate and her critics

TL;DR

  • Suzanne Simard's research reveals that forests are collaborative communities, with trees communicating and sharing resources via mycorrhizal fungi, a concept she terms the 'wood wide web'.
  • Her findings, detailed in her book 'Finding the Mother Tree', were met with considerable scientific criticism, questioning the evidence and her interpretations.
  • Simard advocates for a shift from traditional, competitive forestry models to more sustainable practices that recognize the interconnectedness of forest ecosystems.
  • She believes that science needs to be more innovative and less rigid to address the urgency of climate change, drawing parallels to past scientific revolutions.
  • The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in Canada are highlighted as a direct consequence of climate change and altered forest composition due to logging practices.

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