Storm Habitat: Nurse Logs, Dens, and More

Lynx use hollow logs as dens (photo: unknown).

Whenever we have intense weather events (windstorms, intense cold, crazy-deep snow) I always think of the animals. What are they doing to weather the storm? What is it like to be out there in the elements, entirely exposed?

But then I remember that wildlife are highly adapted organisms that are intimately connected to all aspects of their environment — moment to moment.

They know when a big storm is brewing and make adequate preparations. 

They sense a drop in the barometric pressure and feed heavily before the worst of it hits. Then they find safety and shelter on a full stomach.

A chickadee will tuck itself into a tree cavity. A fox will hole up in an underground den. A deer will bed down in thick softwood cover, and a bobcat will curl up in a hollow log — waiting out the storm.

They create safe conditions for themselves and emerge when it’s over to refuel and reassess their surroundings.

Meanwhile, we step out the door and survey the damage around our homes and in our woods.

Although tree damage caused by high winds can negatively impact wildlife that use standing trees for feeding, perching, denning, resting, or foraging, fallen trees will provide excellent wildlife habitat as decaying logs, as well. 

Fallen trees in the woods may look like a "mess" to clean up, but as long as they are not posing a hazard or blocking important access, it is best to leave the trees where they have fallen.

Fallen trees become ‘nurse logs’ for trees and plants. Nurse logs are ecological facilitators and nurture the next generation of trees. They provide seedlings with structure, shade, nutrients, water, and protection.

This moss-covered log is a nursery site for Red Maple (Acer rubrum) seedlings in Standish, Maine (photo: Deb Perkins).

The decay process of a log is highly dynamic. At each stage a whole new microcosm of life is allowed to flourish. Tunneling invertebrates, small mammals, and even large mammals are fed and sheltered by the habitat found in fallen trees. For example, black bears commonly excavate a winter den site under the tipped-up root system of a fallen tree. I know because I’ve crawled into more than a few (you can read more about that here).

Downed woody material is key to nutrient cycling, soil stability, and moisture retention. The so-called debris that a storm leaves in its wake becomes the substrate needed by communities of fungi — life forms that are highly beneficial to forest health. 

While we may lose valuable and cherished trees in big wind events, there is a silver lining. Trees become logs and downed branches — feeding the forest with the perfect slow-release fertilizer, and logs provide habitat structure for a variety of living things — from microscopic fungi to black bears.

For my clients that tend forestland, I carefully design activities that mimic beneficial natural disturbances (such as a small storm, fire, or flood) to boost biodiversity and create valuable habitat.

Landscape-level disturbances are becoming much more frequent and severe with climate change. While that is concerning for wildlife and human communities, we can take heart in knowing that nature has an elegant, highly evolved system for rebuilding soil and habitat out of so-called debris and damage.

Sign up to receive free tips, tools, and insights for building habitat and hope.

#ThePersonalEcologistI partner with eco-minded landowners to create thriving wildlife habitats in their backyards, gardens, fields and farms, woods or campuses - at any scale.I have 25 years of experience in my field, and a lifelong commitment to wi…

#ThePersonalEcologist

I co-create biodiverse habitats with eco-minded stewards throughout the Northeast - at any scale.

I have 30 years of experience and a lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation.

Read My Story.

Deborah Perkins