Why the Deep, Dark Woods Matter and How You Can Help
It’s October — the perfect time to curl up with a spooky movie. Many of our favourite fright flicks are set in forests, where each step into the dark, cool and damp woods seems to lead straight into danger. But don’t be fooled by Hollywood’s fog machines because forests aren’t places of horror; they’re places of wonder.
While the deep woods can feel mysterious, beneath the canopy lies serenity, inspiration and vital habitat for countless species, especially when not fragmented.
Forest Fragmentation
Fragmentation describes habitat that has been broken into disconnected pieces through human activity, such as suburban development. The more fragmented a forest, the smaller it becomes and the fewer deep, dark woods, or interior forests, there are.
Interior Forests
Interior forests typically begin 100 metres from the forest edge. For species that rely on these interior habitats, fragmentation can be harmful. It isolates populations, reduces biodiversity and weakens the forest’s resilience to threats, like invasive species.
One such dependent species is the ovenbird. Native to the Credit River Watershed, this ground-dwelling warbler is sensitive to high levels of disturbance such as noise and pollution from people and cars, and weather events like wind and heat.
For the ovenbird and other critters, the interior forest offers shelter and comfort. The cool forest floor provides vital food sources and breeding habitat. Predators that prey on bird eggs and nests, like raccoons and possums, are more likely to be found around the edge of a forest, where they can easily access a variety of habitats and food sources. We may think of the deep, dark woods as spooky, but for many species, it’s the perfect habitat.
Grow Your Forest This Spring
We can help you expand the forest on your land. Conserving and managing for healthy, diverse forest ecosystems maintains vital wildlife habitat and builds resilience.
Book a no-obligation site visit through our full-service tree and planting program. We’ll do all the work for you. Funding is available to cover up to 100 per cent of the costs.
Plus, we’ll soon be launching our new online assessment tool for forest health, which offers tailored recommendations to help you grow your forest’s potential. Stay tuned!