Coarse Woody Debris: Humans and Nature Competing for Trees

Abstract

Dead wood is usually the last thing foresters and forest products companies want to see in their forests. However, before humans discovered so many practical uses of wood, dead and dying trees were basic to forest development. Not surprisingly, many plants and animals evolved dependencies on dead wood. Today, with maintaining biodiversity a primary goal of forest management, foresters are confronted with seemingly contradictory goals: prevent or minimize agents that damage trees, but also maintain biodiversity, including the species that need dead wood.