Why do some forests have undergrowth so thick you can’t get through it, and others are just tree trunk after tree trunk with no undergrowth at all?
In: Biology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG-05r0oTuc
Lyrics: Neil Peart
There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas
The trouble with the maples
And they’re quite convinced they’re right
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the oaks can’t help their feelings
If they like the way they’re made
And they wonder why the maples
Can’t be happy in their shade?
There is trouble in the forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the maples scream, “oppression”
And the oaks just shake their heads
So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights
“The oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light”
Now there’s no more oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet
Axe
And saw
Undergrowth struggles to grow in the acidic soil under pine trees. Perhaps that’s what you’re thinking of.
Well it would really depend on the climate, age of the forest, and species of plants and animals native to the region.
Also probably access to resources for said living things.
It’s called succession. Plants compete for sunlight. Some only grow to a certain height so grasses, vines, and hardy shrubs will start out growing strong and fast but end up getting shaded out once trees or taller plants begin to grow. The crowns of trees (leaves or needles on the branches above) block the sunlight from reaching the forest floor which stunts the growth of the understory.
Trees do this to each other as well. That’s why the lower branches get naturally pruned. You can sometimes see where the branches once were. The larger the tree/crown, the more difficult it is for forest floor plants to grow.
If a forest has a dense, mature tree population the ground is typically clear of undergrowth. If the trees are further apart allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor then the sun will help germinate the seeds in the seedbed resulting in other species flourishing until they are shaded out.
Edit: I am completely aware that I did not cover every situation resulting in less dense undergrowth. Other factors are as follows: logging practices, wildlife foraging, elevation, landscape, natural and artificial disturbances (wind/fires/wildlife routes/trails where compaction of soil occurs)/soil type/ plant zones/forest type/shade tolerance or shade intolerance/etc Thank you all for commenting.
In the PNW on forest service land the timber crews come out and get rid of the undergrowth a few times before harvest to make their job easier. Also terrible for the local fauna
Imbalanced ecology can explain things.
In Haida Gwaii invasive, non native deer were introduced and they’ve cleared out the undergrowth.
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