Oldgrowth vs Second Growth Coastal Temperate Rainforests

The coastal temperate rainforests of Cascadia are some of the most incredible ecosystems in the entire world, and they exist nowhere else, which makes them even more neat. Yet varying reports suggest that only between 1 - 5% remain today from their original extent, though no comprehensive study across the whole bioregion exists, and most folks can’t tell the difference between these ancient forests and the second growth forests around them, so I thought I’d break it down here!
True ancient forest features:
- Uneven forest floor, lots of detritus and soft debris, pit & mound topography
- High diversity of tree species, ages, spacing and sizes, including old large diameter trees, logs and snags
- Late successional & shade tolerant tree species such as Hemlocks & Redcedars
- Canopy gaps that allow light to reach all layers of the forest
- Multiple diverse vegetation layers from the forest floor to understory and canopy, with unique lichens and fungus present at all levels
Second growth forests features:
- Even, clear forest floor with little vegetation or understory
- A monoculture of 1-2 species planted in close proximity, all around the same age and size
- A dense canopy with few gaps to allow light into the layers of the stand
- A high amount of small woody debris throughout the stand, and windfall along its edges
While most of the forests that exist across North America that were once healthy, functioning, virgin oldgrowth ecosystems have since been cut down and reduced to a crop tree plantation that only vaguely resembles those lost forests, there is still hope to rehabilitate them to create a better future! It may be tricky, and it may look a lot different from the way we’ve done it, but change for the better is totally possible. We need to exercise our rights, use our voices, and stand up for protection of these last ancient forest ecosystems across BC and Alaska before they’re gone from this planet forever.
Like this vid? Support Nerdy About Nature on Patreon to make more engaging videos like this possible!
|| SUPPORT THESE VIDEOS : / nerdyaboutnature​
Subscribe to Nerdy About Nature for more engaging fun-facts to make your next jaunt into the outdoors more rad!
|| SUBSCRIBE : www.youtube.com...
|| IG : / nerdyaboutnature
|| FB : / nerdyaboutnature
|| www.NerdyAboutN...
__________________________________________________
Produced & Directed by Ross Reid
~ I'd like to acknowledge that this video was filmed on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ, Toquaht, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h', & Huu-ay-aht Nations. ~
__________________________________________________

[@stitoswoodshop3081]

Our woodworking class loves your video's and your catchy tune!

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Oh heck yeah, glad you dig the jingle!

[@Nootnoot433]

Amazing video

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Thanks so much!

[@jackfrankmurphy]

High quality video, thank you so much for it!

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Of course, glad you enjoyed it!

[@matt05024]

really cool video! I wrote a paper comparing old growth and second growth carbon sequestration for class, but the visual comparison really shows how different they are. I got to visit old growth forests in BC as a kid, hopefully they don't get cut down before I get another chance

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Nice, that sounds like a good paper! Thanks for doing your part!

[@petalsm9937]

You are so soothing, beautiful, i learn so much from you and i love watching your videos. Keep going ♥️

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Thanks, stoked you're stoked!

[@ggt6743]

Very informative and crucial....thank you so much for making these videos!

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Thanks so much, glad you're stoked!

[@mastersadvocate]

I wish the big logging companies would plant different species of trees, like in an old growth forest! That would be better than the Second Growth forests that were planted by companies with no imagination!! I love your videos! I learn so much from you. I love old growth forests a lot! Keep on making these videos!! ~ Janet in Canada

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Thanks Janet, stoked you're stoked! I agree completely!

[@luciussulla987]

Now if only our government officials would stop spending so much time worrying about their best interests to start actually representing the will of the people instead of whichever big industry happens to fund them, offer little perks or even a high paying job once they've left office.

[@NerdyAboutNature]

yep!

[@leanderzillich4483]

The Cascadian rainforests might be one of the world’s most beautiful biomes cause what’s nicer than a mysterious, misty coniferous forests with these insanely big old growth cedars, douglas firs and spruce, covered with moss and lichens... Hoping so much that destruction of Fairy Creek Rainforest can be prevented, turning it into a sustainable tourist attraction might pay off much more anyway! Your video’s are super informative, thanks for sharing all this information!

[@NerdyAboutNature]

I totally agree, such gorgeous forests hey?!

[@hubertyoung1938]

Great presentation. We want to create a diversified food forest on our 80 acres in central Manitoba. Thanks for sharing.

[@matt05024]

food forests are so cool, I usually hear about them further south but I hope yours turns out great

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Ahh that sounds awesome, go for it!

[@seanmcguire7974]

What about reserves? They're not allowed to log or build in those right?

[@NerdyAboutNature]

How do you mean?

[@smatos69]

Nice video! Please use some kommas and pauses. And slow down! Why all the hurry? It seems like it's a race all through the video. It´s about a peaceful theme, why make it an ennerving rush?

[@robertlennihan3113]

I noticed you see a lot of ferns on the forest floor around old trees

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Totally, it takes a long time for those ferns to establish!

[@genopsych]

Delightful and informative video. Did have to slow down replay a bit because the pace of speech was agitating.

[@GregBennett]

Good shit man but you talk so fast! I can hardly keep up.

[@xander7099]

growing up near old growth forest/parks is something I am very appreciative of, im now in a southern state wishing I could afford to go back. I appreciate the work of those protecting and making changes for these forests.

[@seanmcguire7974]

Would forest management or thinning of 2nd growth help promote native forest species?

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Yep, it sure would! There are many different restoration tactics we could use to help rehabilitate these secondgrowth forests

[@Wethecenter]

Thanks so much …. Appreciate your efforts

[@jopsball-turret6969]

Good stuff. Up here on Mt. Hood the blowdown is crazy with the hemlock. It makes a little more sense to me now. Barlow wayside park where I walk my dog feels like it has old growth, but then sections look like second growth. The massive Doug Fir stop me in my tracks. Anyway, lots to learn! Thanks

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Awesome, glad you're learning lots!

[@applesauce_0743]

This is a great video, and well explained!

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Thanks bud, glad you enjoyed!

[@bigbird2240]

When you say planted at the same time do you mean they naturally were seeded or humans actually planted each one?

[@Reed81315]

First off love the videos, second off this is a great compliment to the podcast completely arbortrary, thirdly: you keep mentioning the need to balance have forest based products and preserving forest at the same time. What does that look like? It feels like the only way would be to cut back the amount of paper pulp / wood / turpentine / etc that we use in our lives. Which I can't see anyone giving up paper products especially when people still can't give up single use plastic products