Have you ever found yourself asking why there are trees lying in the Reed Canyon? You are not alone if you are unsure. In fact, one of Reed College’s former presidents wondered the same thing, and went as far as to ask that they be removed, before learning how important they are! So why are these trees so important? Well, the answer has nothing to do with the cost of removal, but rather with the long-term benefits to the ecosystem. These trees are a vital component of the decomposition of the forest floor.
Many of the logs you see lying in the lake were felled by nature’s architects, the beaver, or by strong winds to create structures that support other species. These nurse logs provide a dry, protected, dry breeding ground for waterfowl and amphibians away from the shore. Nests on the shore are vulnerable to interference by curious dogs and predation by raccoons. In the spring you can see whole duck families drying off and resting on these logs! The exterior and interior of fallen trees act as microhabitats, providing shelter to a whole host of organisms, including frogs and young fish. Logs may even act as places for plants and mosses to grow, providing nutrients and surface area needed for growth. When a tree falls into the lake, it disrupts plants, soil, and animals. But, by providing nutrients and a place for new plants to grow, logs can be important for ecological succession.
Fallen trees are also important to the waterways of the Canyon, influencing the rate and direction of water flow which in turn, affects how animals like fish and beaver interact with the environment. These fallen trees create streams that are very productive habitats for salmonid fish and help foster an ecosystem that can support many ecological roles.
If these logs were not naturally deposited in the lake, it’s likely the college restoration team would have gone to great effort to place large woody material in the to serve this purpose. Along this line, you may even see Christmas trees scattered in the lower Reed canyon to improve stream. This is done in order to improve the underwater ecosystem. Before decomposing, the trees act as a reef-like structure providing hiding opportunities for fish and invertebrate species. They further provide the opportunity for fish to spawn and hide their eggs from predators. Additionally, this is a great way to get the community involved and mitigate waste!
Decaying trees are an essential aspect of the canyon’s wildlife thriving from macroinvertebrates to bird and beaver populations. While some may think the logs tarnish the picturesque nature of the canyon, the opposite is actually true. As much as logs might just look like clutter, the Green Herons, Wood Ducks, and Stickleback are thankful that they are in Reed Lake and the Canyon!
Many of the logs you see lying in the lake were felled by nature’s architects, the beaver, or by strong winds to create structures that support other species. These nurse logs provide a dry, protected, dry breeding ground for waterfowl and amphibians away from the shore. Nests on the shore are vulnerable to interference by curious dogs and predation by raccoons. In the spring you can see whole duck families drying off and resting on these logs! The exterior and interior of fallen trees act as microhabitats, providing shelter to a whole host of organisms, including frogs and young fish. Logs may even act as places for plants and mosses to grow, providing nutrients and surface area needed for growth. When a tree falls into the lake, it disrupts plants, soil, and animals. But, by providing nutrients and a place for new plants to grow, logs can be important for ecological succession.
Fallen trees are also important to the waterways of the Canyon, influencing the rate and direction of water flow which in turn, affects how animals like fish and beaver interact with the environment. These fallen trees create streams that are very productive habitats for salmonid fish and help foster an ecosystem that can support many ecological roles.
If these logs were not naturally deposited in the lake, it’s likely the college restoration team would have gone to great effort to place large woody material in the to serve this purpose. Along this line, you may even see Christmas trees scattered in the lower Reed canyon to improve stream. This is done in order to improve the underwater ecosystem. Before decomposing, the trees act as a reef-like structure providing hiding opportunities for fish and invertebrate species. They further provide the opportunity for fish to spawn and hide their eggs from predators. Additionally, this is a great way to get the community involved and mitigate waste!
Decaying trees are an essential aspect of the canyon’s wildlife thriving from macroinvertebrates to bird and beaver populations. While some may think the logs tarnish the picturesque nature of the canyon, the opposite is actually true. As much as logs might just look like clutter, the Green Herons, Wood Ducks, and Stickleback are thankful that they are in Reed Lake and the Canyon!
Works Cited:
- Bozek, Michael. A Second Life for Trees in Lakes: As Useful in Water as They Were on Land.
Canyon Picture: Caring for the Canyon. The Reed College Quest https://reedquest.org/articles/caring-for-the-canyon. - Christmas Tree Picture: Perry, Zach (2021). Canyon Lecture and Introduction[lecture style]
- Cover photo: Perry, Zach (2002). 8.16.02ducksonlog.jpg. [Digital image]. Reed College Archive, Portland OR United States. IMG_3746 path.JPG.
- Davis, S.K. & Thompson, J.L. (2011). Investigating the Impact of Interpretive Signs at Neighborhood Natural Areas. Journal of Interpretation Research, 16, 55–66.
- Recycling Christmas: Trees Find Second Home as Fish Habitat. https://habitat.fisheries.org/recycling-christmas-trees-find-second-home-as-fish-habitat/.
- Sedell, J., Bisson, P., Swanson, Frederick & Gregory, S. (n.d.). What We Know About Large Trees That Fall Into Streams and Rivers.