Pacific Northwest Research Station

Title: The seen and unseen world of the fallen tree.

Author: Maser, Chris; Trappe, James M., tech. eds.

Date: 1984

Source: Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-164. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 56 p

Station ID: GTR-PNW-164

Description: Large, fallen trees in various stages of decay contribute much-needed diversity to terrestrial and aquatic habitats in western forests. When most biological activity in soil is limited by low moisture availability in summer, the fallen tree-soil interface offers a relatively cool, moist habitat for animals and a substrate for microbial and root activity. Intensified utilization and management can deprive future forests of large, fallen trees. The impact of this loss on habitat diversity and on long-term forest productivity must be determined because managers need sound information on which to base resource management decisions.

Keywords: Fallen trees, decay (wood), decomposition, old-growth stands, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, mycorrhizae, soil moisture

View and Print this Publication ()

Publication Notes: 

• We recommend that you also print this page and attach it to the printout of the article, to retain the full citation information.
• This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.
• You may send email to pnw_pnwpubs@fs.fed.us to request a hard copy of this publication. (Please specify exactly which publication you are requesting and your mailing address.)

 Get the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat reader or Acrobat Reader for Windows with Search and Accessibility

Citation

Maser, Chris; Trappe, James M., tech. eds.  1984.  The seen and unseen world of the fallen tree..   Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-164. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 56 p.