Mossy Rotting Log on the Forest Floor

Link to larger image here.

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I'm unsure how many people will care for this photo, but I love taking shots of the forest floor. Dead trees are very important to the forest floors ecosystem. Through their slow decomposition from fungi and termites, logs such as this one help maintain the ecosystem of the forest floor in the following ways:

• adds organic matter to the soil, improving it as a result
• helps keep the soil moist during drier seasons
• provides an area for seeds to germinate for regenerating trees
• reintroduces nitrogen to the soil, making it a great site for nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Furthermore, dead trees provide a habitat for plants and animals in the following ways:

• great for bird nests and mammal dens
• perfect place for mosses, ferns and herbs to grow.
• home for insects, spiders, etc. these organisms make up the base of the food chain
• provides a food source for insectivorous birds like the woodpecker
• tiny organisms use them for food, shelter and a consistent climate
• protects animals from forest fires

When foraging for mushrooms in this region, I've always had luck finding morel mushrooms near dead logs. Unfortunately, I've never had the opportunity to capture a photograph of one. Hopefully this spring my friend who forages them in this region will help me accomplish this.

Category	Close up
Location	Cheoah River, North Carolina
Settings	ISO200 18mm f/3.5 1/50
Camera	Sony Nex-F3
Lens	Sony 3.5-5.6

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