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It is important for us not to remove fallen trees simply because they look unattractive. A tree that has fallen naturally in the forest is still doing an important job to help support the ecosystem around it. They provide habitats for wildlife, help cycle nutrients, and influence the make-up of the soil. They can also help decrease erosion. Dead trees are also important to the smaller organisms in the forest, like insects and mushrooms. So, park staff clears fallen trees from trails but leaves the wood next to the rest of the tree for nature to use as it may.
A dead tree is an ecosystem in itself → fungi grow on the tree, detritivorous insects break down parts of the tree, the decomposing tree creates new nutrient rich soil for other plants to grow in. Deadwood attracts mosses, lichens, fungi, and insects which are a great treat for omnivorous and herbivorous animals.
Animals, small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks, can live in the nooks and crannies within a fallen tree → these are great spots for hibernating.
As the tree decomposes the bark becomes looser creating easy spots for insects to hide, lay eggs, and for their larvae to grow. The shade and moisture keeps fallen logs very damp which allows them to be covered by mosses → this creates a great microclimate for salamanders. The warm, moist temperatures they need will be maintained and their food will be abundant.
Trees with fragments of branches left on them make great lookout points for predators like raptors to look for prey that may be foraging in the underbrush. While the fallen logs and branches make for good cover for the smaller creatures like toads, mice, and insects.
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