Dead Trees And Sustainability

Dead Trees And Sustainability. By being the “lungs of our planet”, trees are considered as one of the most important ecological factors which can affect global climate. In order to reduce raging global warming, it is highly recommended that we take additional precaution concerning preservation of these fragile species. In addition, the less people mess around their natural habitats, the ore likely they will be to preserve it. In most cases, the best way to help nature is to leave it to take care on its own.

Habitat

Dead wood is an important contributor for reducing negative effect of the wind. Whether concerning fallen logs, or stand up trees, they work as a “wind-breakers”, reducing its strength and power. Flow of the air is slowed down, so erosion of the soil is drastically reduced. In addition, there are some forests which have very delicate micro-climate, especially concerning moist and rain, so any messing around could prove fatal for that habitat.

Dead trees form a “cover” for keeping the water in the soil, thus boosting the growth of surrounding vegetation. Of course, this doesn’t mean that if you find yourself stranded in the forest, you should freeze to death, in order not to light a fire for preserving nature, but prolonged period of taking from nature can scar it gravely.

House

Not only can the trees be affected by humans’ influence, but the endangered species as well. For being the great source of food and biomass, logs and tree debris attracts numerous species varying from tiniest of fungi to bigger ones, such as owls and squirrels. Some of these species, such as invertebrate ones live in, and feed upon dead tree, and through them the circulation of the natural fertilizer is provided.

It is also important to notice that certain species are settled in hollow logs and are using it as a shelter.This covers a huge variety of birds and predatory ones like owls and eagles to herbivore ones, where we can mention woodpeckers and robins. Moreover, a quite large amount of mammals benefits from logs as well, ranging from squirrels which build their homes within, to mice, which can settle beneath the dead wood, using it as a natural heat preserver.

People

For a prolonged period of time, humans have exploited the natures’ resources, using those for its’ needs, without thinking if their actions are affecting the delicate balance. Dead, rotten and semi-dead trees are great source of firewood, but usually, man doesn’t pay attention. But, there are people who take care about the drawbacks of piling up this cover.

In a recent conversation with the people from a reputed local tree service, I found out that huge amount of dead trees and debris can literally suffocate the younger trees, by slowing down its’ growth and development. Too much water held within the soil can harm the roots of the saplings, making it rotten, and in this way, the forest cannot rejuvenate and renew itself, and will slowly die out.

So, with everything said taken into consideration, the very best thing we can do is to start paying attention to natures’ cycles, stop being selfish and taking care only to our welfare, and to improve overall life conditions for all the inhabitants of this planet.