Bas Steenbeek
Papers
1
Total Citations
45
H-Index
1
About
Bas Steenbeek is a trailblazer in the study of mycorrhizal networks and plant–fungal trade dynamics. Their research focuses on how symbiotic fungi construct and optimize underground networks to exchange nutrients for plant-derived carbon, a relationship that has shaped terrestrial ecosystems for nearly 450 million years. Steenbeek’s most notable contribution is the development of the "travelling-wave strategy," a theoretical model that explains how fungi balance construction costs against resource acquisition efficiency in building their networks. This work, published in 2025 and already garnering 45 citations, offers a fresh lens on the evolutionary economics of symbiosis. By integrating ecological theory with network science, Steenbeek has illuminated the hidden trade-offs that govern one of Earth’s most ancient partnerships. Their research is essential reading for students and researchers in mycorrhizal ecology, evolutionary biology, and network theory, providing a compelling framework for understanding how cooperative systems emerge and persist in nature.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1A travelling-wave strategy for plant–fungal trade45 citations · 2025