Vogelmoos Nature Reserve

The forest – a community of plants and animals

The forest is not just an assembly of trees: It is a comunity of trees, shrubs, plants and all kinds of animals that need its shelter and support to thrive. This may not be news to anyone but for sure, it influenced my thinking of the forest when I called this fact into my mind. The reason was an interview I watched on social media with Peter Wohlleben, a German forest ranger. In it he explained the meaning of community applied to trees and forests. Thereafter I began to read his books on this topic and returned to the Vogelmoos Nature Reserve with the intention to look for some evidence to his claims.

The community of plants, shrubs and trees.
A Membre of the tree community that had died, leaving a clearing and hence, an opportunity for its offspring to take its place and position. Watch how the pine trees encroach on the area that formerly belonged to the tree in the middle – probably a birch!
Trees offer opportunities to other plants – here, a common ivy – to climb up its trunk to summon the light of day for their energy supply
and they mount defenses agains intruders.
Forked Veilwort (Metzgeria furcata)

Lichen growing on tree trunks imparting them a speckled appearance that looks quite nice.

Dead trunks housing insects and other forest dwellers
Hypnum moss (Hypnum cupressiformis) taking advantage of the acidic environment of the decaying trunk to develop into a beautiful light green mat

In the past I reflected on the forest and was absorbed by its seasonal changes, the varieties of trees, plants and its animal dwellers. Seeing the forest as a community of living things allows me to consider its importance for the existence of all living creatures on this planet.

All text and photographs ©BA Hiltbrunner

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