Snags and Downed Wood
Western Pond Turtle Finley. Credit: JimLeonard
Snags are standing dead trees, and these are essential for many wildlife species.
Snags provide cavities for nesting, perches with good vantage points, and insects for food. Dead wood on the ground (downed wood), is important in soil development, provides nutrients to streams, and is essential for maintaining fungi and other microorganisms that are the foundation of woodland food webs. Downed wood also provides habitat for small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects, many of which serve as prey for animals further up the food chain.
Oak stewardship guidelines by topic
Below you will find desired conditions representing a characteristic of a healthy, functioning oak ecosystem from the “Restoring Oak Habitats in Southern Oregon and North California: A Guide for Private Landowners” developed by the Klamath Siskiyou Oak Network in collaboration with the Umpqua Oak Partnership. They also present guidelines to help you achieve each desired condition, and these guidelines can be applied to oak savanna, oak chaparral, oak woodland, and mixed oak-conifer habitats.
