About the Catchment Area : Plants and Animals

The role of dead wood

Most properties have some form of remnant native vegetation within their boundaries, whether an area of diverse woodland habitat supporting endangered species or a solitary ancient Eucalypt. All native plants play an important functional role in the landscape.

This is the case whether the vegetation is vibrant and living or laying as dead wood in the paddock. The benefits of living indigenous vegetation are well documented, but attention must also be given to the so-called 'dead wood'.

Fallen timber, large and small, is frequently adopted by a variety of reptiles for shelter and protection, or for a warm, sunning position. For small passerine birds such as robins and finches a perching position close to the ground provides an essential vantage point for locating grass seeds.

Timber and leaf litter also provide habitat for thousands of insects and their larvae, another important staple food for most bird species.

Insects and other macroinvertebrates perform the important function of breaking down timber into smaller parts - a process which has been building and providing nutrients to our soils for centuries.

The importance of fallen timber in our creeks and rivers adds another dimension to the value of dead wood. Certain species of native fish such as the locally indigenous River Black Fish and Flathead Gudgeon are dependent on the presence of logs beneath the water.

These fish use submerged logs as a sheltered position to lay their eggs.

Due to a high presence of oils, a large submerged Eucalypt log can last up to 250 years in the water providing a vital breeding ground for entire dynasties of native fish.

Many postulations seeking to explain the declining abundance of these fish species, as well as the charismatic Murray Cod, cite the removal of perceived 'snags' from watercourses as a major factor.

The best practice method is to mimic nature by having a combination of dead wood on the ground and living vegetation on your property, providing a complex range of habitats capable of supporting biodiversity and building soils.

This winter, as the thermometer goes down and the allure and hunger of a wood fire sends you searching for dead wood, spare a thought for the organisms dependent on this type of habitat and the health of your soils. It need not all go up in smoke!

If you need wood to feed the fire, there are plenty of exotic species such as Willows, Ash and Olives doing little for the biodiversity of our catchment. Start chopping and stacking exotic species now ready for next winter!

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