Old Forests – Past and Future

Before European settlers arrived, old-growth forests covered about three quarters of what is now Calais. These forests were shaped by natural disturbances from wind, ice, insects, and disease outbreaks. Selective tree harvesting, plant cultivation, and limited clearing by the Abenaki and their ancestors probably influenced the forests in subtle ways too. The forests were constantly changing, shaped by the variable climate, soil development, and evolving species.

Today, those old forests are almost completely gone. The small fragments that remain grow in very wet or steep areas that farmers and loggers have avoided. The forests we see now mostly grew on fields cleared by settlers and later abandoned. Unfortunately, these newer forests lack some key features that are important for biodiversity and ecological health, including:

• Mature trees with fissured bark and complex crowns, which support insects, epiphytic plants, and foraging animals, while also storing large amounts of carbon and reducing climate change impacts.
• Large standing dead trees with cavities and peeling bark, which offer shelter and food for wildlife.
• Abundant dead wood on the forest floor that feeds decomposers, shelters amphibians and small mammals, and provides germination sites for new trees.
• Diverse canopy densities and tree sizes, creating varied habitats for different species and helping forests recover quickly after disturbances.
• Undisturbed leaf litter and soils, which absorb and filter water, store nutrients, and support a rich soil ecosystem.

While we can’t fully restore the pre-settlement landscape, we can work toward creating ecological reserves in key areas where tomorrow’s old forests can develop. We can also incorporate old-forest characteristics into our managed forests. This approach recognizes that we are a part of the forest ecosystem—not separate from it—and helps support ecosystems and services that benefit wildlife and humans alike.

Next, we will discuss the importance of young regenerating forests, which are also in short supply and essential for many declining species.