The Marbled Murrelet: An Old-Growth Forest Obligate Sea Bird | American Bird Conservancy

Fallen trees and branches—also known as coarse woody debris—play an important role in forest ecosystems. Decaying wood provides habitat for wildlife and insects and recycles nutrients into the soil, helping new plants grow. Old-growth forests typically have more coarse woody debris than other forest types. DEC is partnering with the New York Natural Heritage Program to conduct a five-year study of old-growth forests in New York’s Forest Preserve. In summer 2024, a team of researchers visited old

Some species of plants, animals, and fungi are old-growth indicators, meaning they are more likely to be found in old-growth forests than in other habitats. In this video, New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) ecologist Max Henschell introduces two old-growth indicators, one moss and one liverwort, growing on trees in an Adirondack old-growth forest. These species are both epiphytes—plants that grow on other plants. DEC is partnering with NYNHP to conduct a five-year study of old-growth fore