What would you do with a giant, dead fig tree? Its wood has dried out, it’s porous and it’s not bearing fruit… It might seem like it’s taking up space and the best thing to do is get rid of this dead wood…
But did you know, to remove old or dead trees harms the ecosystem? Please read on…
Dead wood is essential for the proper functioning of the environment, specifically for regeneration and proliferation of fauna and flora.
Organisms called xylophages feed from the dead wood, for example termites, beetles and other larvae. They will remain as a larva, feeding on this dead wood until they become adults and change their diet; as such, they have a key role in the food chain.
Having dead wood in our land can also be of great help after fires and storms. The decomposition of this matter is a process that can take years and even decades, but it’s a great advantage, giving many years of benefit!
Dead wood is home to many essential organic elements for life. The release of these elements into the environment helps neighbouring plants, which capture these nutrients and thus promote the fertility of the forest.
What’s more, the dead wood is a direct food source for many beings and organisms such as fungi and insects. In turn, these insects are food for birds, mammals, reptiles… This contributes to the increase of fauna, creating a healthy and sustainable environment.