Deadwood is the habitat of the year in Latvia

Take note – story published 1 year ago

Deadwood has been declared as the habitat of the year 2023 in Latvia, the Latvian Fund for Nature (LDF) announced.

Deadwood, as the name implies, is a dead tree lying in the woods. LDF pointed out that it was one of the most important elements of a natural forest structure that played an indispensable role in ensuring the diversity of life in the forest.

Several hundred species living in the forest, are associated with deadwood.

Deadwood is used by mushrooms, lichen, moss, snails, insects – it is both a place of life and feeding. Also, for birds and mammals, deadwood provides an opportunity to hide, find food or raise babies, LDF noted. In a natural old forest, deadwood is an organically diverse, healthy, and sustainable forest indicator.

“The habitat we have chosen for this year – deadwood – tells the story that there is nothing redundant in the forest and nature as a whole – what we people sometimes think is unnecessary, disturbing or unaesthetic is actually an indispensable source of life. The deadwood tells us about natural processes: how the tree becomes soil again in a slow and long-term process, while providing accommodation and food for countless other living creatures. By watching and exploring the deadwood, we can understand the forest as a system in which each element of it has its own place and function,” noted LDF expert Jānis Ķuze.

Interesting observations related to deadwood can be reported on the nature portal dabasdati.lv.

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