Ecology of rotting logs

I enjoy walks through woods, and strangely enough rotting logs have always fascinated me. I have loved to walk up them like a balance beam, kick the fungi growing on them, and occasionally just break them! This Discover blog post identifies the ecology of the rotting logs. Look for mutualism, commensalism, and competition in here. It also does a nice job of tying the fungi in with the coal that was common in this area. It's a pretty neat article.

As I camp I also notice that many campsites have identified that fallen wood shouldn't be burned because it's important for the health of the forest. It allows the forest to regenerate itself.