AMY ZINGER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Forest Networks

Forest Networks
Fluid Dynamics

Overview

This installation creates a fluid visualization of mycorrhizal fungal networks that connect trees beneath the forest floor. The design features a glass cylinder containing two distinct fluid layers that represent different soil moisture conditions. Brightly-colored droplets slowly travel through these layers, representing actual fungal networks documented in Douglas-fir forests. 

The installation creates a visual rhythm as each droplet forms, detaches, and travels through the fluid medium, allowing viewers to contemplate ecological data about how our forests communicate.

Data Analysis

The data foundation for this project comes from mycorrhizal network research documenting the relationships between trees and fungi in forest ecosystems. The visualization represents 55 unique fungal networks with the following distribution:

Network Distribution by Species and Environment

  1. Rhizopogon vesiculosus (Bright Green Droplets)

      • Xeric Environment: 10 networks
        • 4 small (1-3 tree connections)
        • 2 medium (4-10 tree connections)
        • 4 large (>10 tree connections)

           

      • Mesic Environment: 18 networks
        • 8 small (1-3 tree connections)
        • 4 medium (4-10 tree connections)
        • 6 large (>10 tree connections)

           

  2. Rhizopogon vinicolor (Deep Purple Droplets)

      • Xeric Environment: 11 networks
        • 5 small (1-3 tree connections)
        • 2 medium (4-10 tree connections)
        • 4 large (>10 tree connections)

           

      • Mesic Environment: 16 networks
        • 8 small (1-3 tree connections)
        • 2 medium (4-10 tree connections)
        • 6 large (>10 tree connections)

Data Representation System

Each droplet in the installation represents an actual fungal network documented in Douglas-fir forests, with the following mapping:

    • Droplet Color: Species identity
      • Bright Green = R. vesiculosus
      • Deep Purple = R. vinicolor

         

    • Droplet Size: Network complexity (tree connections)
      • Small = 1-3 tree connections (100ms pump time)
      • Medium = 4-10 tree connections (200ms pump time)
      • Large = >10 tree connections (350ms pump time)

         

    • Fluid Layer: Environmental context
      • Top Layer = Mesic (moist) environment (slightly shimmering)
      • Bottom Layer = Xeric (dry) environment (golden, more dense)

The installation cycles through all 55 networks with an alternating pattern, releasing one droplet every 20 seconds (alternating between species), requiring approximately 18.3 minutes to complete a full cycle. This creates a mesmerizing rhythm where viewers can observe both individual droplets and occasional overlapping journeys of different colored droplets representing different fungal species.

Construction Specs and Materials

  • Dimensions: Glass cylinder, 24″ height × 6″ diameter
  • Volume Capacity: 2.94 gallons
  • Actual Fluid Volume: 2.5 gallons (1 gallon xeric, 1.5 gallons mesic)

Materials:

    • Clear glass cylinder vessel
    • Peristaltic pumps (2)
    • Silicone tubing (food-grade)
    • Arduino Uno microcontroller
    • 12V power supply
    • Housing for electronics
    • Translucent river stones (3-4″ layer at bottom)
    • Waterproof LED lights (hidden among stones)

Lighting System:

    • Submersible LED lights positioned among stones at vessel bottom
    • Gentle pulsing/fading patterns to create subtle illumination
    • Enhances visibility of droplet movement through fluid layers
    • Creates bioluminescent-like glow reminiscent of forest floor ecology

Fluid Formulations:

    • Glycerin, corn syrup, water, and xanthan gum in various ratios (mesic layer has more water)
    • Droplets are pure glycerin
    • All fluids are colored with powdered mica

Electronics and Control:

    • Arduino Uno microcontroller
    • Control system for two peristaltic pumps (PWM controlled)
    • 20-second interval timing between droplets
    • Custom code structure organizing:
      • Network data structure with 55 network entries
      • Pump control functions for droplet sizing
      • Timing and sequencing control

Code Architecture

The Arduino code for this installation uses an object-oriented approach to manage the complexity of representing 55 unique fungal networks. A custom data structure stores each network’s properties (ID, species, environment, connection count, and size category). The code follows a state machine pattern to control the timing of droplet releases.

The main loop checks timing conditions and triggers droplet release functions that:

    1. Activate the appropriate pump based on species type
    2. Control pump duration based on network size category (small, medium, large)
    3. Track position in the sequence to cycle through all networks

The software modulates pump speeds using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) to control droplet formation. Extensive testing was conducted to determine optimal flow rates, with parameters adjusted to create droplets that would travel at appropriate speeds through both fluid layers.

References

Chaudhary, V., Rúa, M., Antoninka, A. et al. MycoDB, a global database of plant response to mycorrhizal fungi. Sci Data 3, 160028 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/sdata.2016.28

Beiler, K., Simard, S., & Durall, D. (2015). Topology of tree-mycorrhizal fungus interaction networks in xeric and mesic Douglas-fir forests. Journal of Ecology, 103, 616-628.

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