Exploring the Ecological Benefits of Dead Wood and the Opportunities of Interpreting Dead Wood to the Public

Abstract

According to the Practice Guide of Managing deadwood in forests and woodlands, all types of dead and dying trees of 10 cm or more in diameter are recognised as deadwood. Dead wood is very important to the health of the forest, and this is increasingly recognized by environmentalists and ecologists. Dead wood is thought to be vital to the health of a wood or forest because it can help to reduce soil erosion and create stability (Gamekeeperstrust, 2019). Not only is it an aspect of the nutrient cycling process, it provides a stable, slow-release nitrogen source and is thought to play an important role in carbon storage. Falling logs can also increase the soil stability of the woodland (Pupplet, n.d.). Although every forest and woodland are different, and owners and managers have different management objectives, deadwood should be considered in most situations. Current evidence suggests that, over the long term, deadwood should amount to roughly 20 m3 per hectare averaged across the forest management unit. Some management actions are general to all woodlands, but there are others which are specific to woods or areas of higher ecological value. This approach requires that areas of high ecological value be identified during management planning. The public as the target users of our future design, their attitude is also essential to integrate the characteristics of dead wood into the design of urban environment landscape.