В городе Кокберн установили информационные таблички о ценности мертвых деревьев для дикой природы

New signage revealed in Cockburn to remind locals of the value of dead trees for wildlife Dead trees may serve a greater post-mortem purpose for wildlife than people realise. The City of Cockburn has launched new signage to let people know some trees that are technically dead or declining can still serve as valuable habitat and food for several animals. This comes after consistent requests to the city’s urban forest team to remove dead trees. “Not everyone realises why we leave certain trees standing when it is safe to do so, and while the signage notifies the public of the presence of a habitat tree, it is also a useful education tool,” urban forest supervisor Logan Vickers said. “Dead or declining trees are often referred to as habitat trees because they add to local biodiversity and enrich the ecosystem with a range of insects and fungi, and as shelter and camouflage against predators.” Pink and grey galahs and black cockatoos are regular frequenters of dead trees, often using them for nests. Mr Vickers said the city did not intend to use the signs too often to avoid intruding on natural areas, but they could be a useful reminder. “It’s not a blanket rule for all dead trees but we do strive to save those with value as potential bird nesting sites, and where they have lizard or insect populations that may be beneficial to linking areas with stands of tree,” he said. “Retained habitat trees also support micro-organisms that contribute to nutrient cycling and ecosystem health. They form the foundation of food webs that support birds, mammals and reptiles in an urban landscape.” As trees age, they naturally develop features such as hollows, cracks and decaying timber, which is critical for many native species. Urban forest officer Mohamed Saleh said this was rarely seen in urban areas, and could take more than 100 years to develop naturally. “In some cases, a retained habitat tree can continue providing ecological benefits for decades while replacement trees establish and mature,” he said. “Hollows are a limited resource in urban areas and are used by a wide range of native fauna for nesting, shelter and protection from predators and extreme weather.” Hollows from larger, older trees not suitable for full retention can be saved and installed on suitable nesting trees.