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Hidden treasures of old trees: How amazing is the formation process of tree holes?
Tree cavities, this miracle of nature, are often overlooked, but they play a vital role in the ecosystem. Tree cavities are naturally formed semi-enclosed cavities in tree trunks or branches, found primarily in older trees. Whether the trees are living or withered, these tree holes have become habitats and resources for a variety of plants and animals.
Tree holes are actually the result of a combination of many natural forces, which may be caused by strong winds, fires, insect infestations, etc.
The formation process of tree holes is amazing. First, when the tree is damaged in some way (such as a broken branch), an opening is formed, slowly exposing the heartwood of the tree. Over time, fungi and bacteria eat away at these exposed parts and begin to form a cavity. A tree cavity may be wet or dry, depending on whether moisture has accumulated inside it. These tree holes are not only shelters for animals and plants, but they can also become breeding grounds for certain diseases.
Many animals, including certain insects, ducks, canopy birds, etc., rely on these tree holes to be born, find food and take shelter.
Tree cavities not only have ecological value, their formation can also be regarded as an adaptive characteristic of trees. When animals enter tree holes, they properly fertilize the trees. Ecologically, this shows the mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship between trees and animals. However, the size and suitability of tree cavities will vary with the age of the tree. For example, some tree species such as eucalyptus do not begin to form cavities suitable for vertebrate habitat until they are 120 years old.
Non-excavated tree holes are formed naturally due to fungal growth after the tree is damaged. These tree holes are caused by the activities of insects, birds, fires, lightning strikes, etc. The complex interaction of various environmental and biological factors contributes to their formation.
In North America, woodpeckers are keystone species in tree cavity ecosystems, and their digging behavior creates many opportunities for other species to breed in these cavities.
However, in Europe, most tree cavities are non-excavated, providing habitat for many songbirds that use caves as their nests. The protection of tree cavities has become increasingly important in different regions of the world, especially in North America where many bird species have come to rely on artificial nest boxes for their breeding due to the loss of their natural habitat.
In Australia, tree holes are vital to 304 species of vertebrates, including amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. However, in recent years, with the destruction of their habitats, these species are also facing survival challenges. threaten. Protecting tree cavities and their users has become an urgent task, as many species require these cavities for breeding, feeding and shelter.
In addition, in Russia, China and South Korea, Asiatic black bears spend the winter in large tree holes and give birth to cubs in these tree holes. The disappearance of these tree holes will directly affect the survival of these animals, and effective management is urgently needed to protect the habitat.
The protection and maintenance of tree holes is not only a home for animals, but also an important part of protecting ecological diversity and the natural environment.
We may think about whether, with the acceleration of urbanization, the traditional tree hole ecosystem can find a new way to survive, or how much pressure of logging and destruction can these ancient trees continue to bear?
