In urban and wild environments, living trees play an essential part in sustain a healthy ecosystem. We rely on trees to maintain our water supply, clean our air, and provide a safe habitat. These benefits are well-known among all tree lovers and they’re a big part of why we’re so passionate about bringing trees to communities across Utah. Did you know the benefits of trees extend past their living years? Dead trees (snags) and downed logs continue to be an important resource for wildlife.
Whether they’re upright or toppled, dead trees continue to play a role in the cycle of life in the ecosystems in which they’re situated. It’s estimated that up to two thirds of all wildlife species rely on downed trees for some aspect of their life cycle. The decaying surface of a snag acts as a growth substrate for many species of fungus, moss, and lichen. Moths, worms, beetles, and snails use spaces under the bark as shelter or a place for foraging. Birds enjoy these hotspots of small invertebrates as a reliable source for food. Primary cavity nesters, such as woodpeckers, prefer the softwood of snags for nesting and secondary cavity nesters use these abandoned holes for their own nests in the next season. These cavities also serve as dens and food storage for small mammals, like squirrels or even bats.
In addition to their benefit as a primary resource for living creatures, dead trees contribute to the cycle of life by cycling nutrients back into the soil. Decomposers, like fungi and snails, help break down the snags as they decay. As the organic matter breaks down into its component parts, it releases nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus into the soil that go on to nourish plants and other organisms in the ecosystem, including saplings. In effect, these dead trees act as mulch for a growing forest.
Dead trees also continue to play an essential part in helping us fight climate change. Even after a tree dies, the carbon dioxide absorbed while it was living remains trapped in its wood. Dead wood accounts for up to 50% of the carbon currently stored in forests. Their slow, natural decay means this carbon will remain sequestered for years, cycling through the ecosystem at a manageable pace and ensuring the ecosystem remains stable.
While we’re certainly not going to be going out to the forest to create more snags (planting new trees is more fun and makes way more sense), we feel it’s important to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of trees in all stages of their life. As little saplings, as towering giants, and as eroding snags, trees play an incredible role in our ecosystem.
Want to help us create a strong ecosystem? Join us at our tree planting events this Fall!
Stay up to date on all our events by signing up for our emails by clicking here.
