Oldgrowth vs Second Growth Coastal Temperate Rainforests

The coastal temperate rainforests of Cascadia are some of the most incredible ecosystems in the entire world, and they exist nowhere else, which makes them even more neat. Yet varying reports suggest that only between 1 - 5% remain today from their original extent, though no comprehensive study across the whole bioregion exists, and most folks can’t tell the difference between these ancient forests and the second growth forests around them, so I thought I’d break it down here!

True ancient forest features:
Uneven forest floor, lots of detritus and soft debris, pit & mound topography
High diversity of tree species, ages, spacing and sizes, including old large diameter trees, logs and snags
Late successional & shade tolerant tree species such as Hemlocks & Redcedars
Canopy gaps that allow light to reach all layers of the forest
Multiple diverse vegetation layers from the forest floor to understory and canopy, with unique lichens and fungus present at all levels

Second growth forests features:
Even, clear forest floor with little vegetation or understory
A monoculture of 1-2 species planted in close proximity, all around the same age and size
A dense canopy with few gaps to allow light into the layers of the stand
A high amount of small woody debris throughout the stand, and windfall along its edges

While most of the forests that exist across North America that were once healthy, functioning, virgin oldgrowth ecosystems have since been cut down and reduced to a crop tree plantation that only vaguely resembles those lost forests, there is still hope to rehabilitate them to create a better future! It may be tricky, and it may look a lot different from the way we’ve done it, but change for the better is totally possible. We need to exercise our rights, use our voices, and stand up for protection of these last ancient forest ecosystems across BC and Alaska before they’re gone from this planet forever.

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Produced & Directed by Ross Reid

~ I'd like to acknowledge that this video was filmed on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ, Toquaht, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h', & Huu-ay-aht Nations. ~

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