Old-Growth Forest

forest · ecosystem · nature · biodiversity

Super old and wild. Old-growth forests develop over many years without human interference. They're like nature's masterpieces that have been growing since before your great-great-grandparents were born.

Many trees, many layers. These forests have trees of all different heights and sizes living together, with some tall trees shading smaller ones below. This creates different neighborhoods for different animals at different heights.

Animal paradise. All those different trees and structures mean tons of creatures can live there, from tiny insects to big birds to deer. The variety makes the whole forest stronger and more interesting.

One-third of Earth's forests. About one-third of the world's forests are primary forests, which are old-growth forests that have never been cut down by people. These are some of the most precious wild places on the planet.

Fallen trees feed life. Old-growth forests have lots of dead wood on the ground, which might seem messy but actually provides homes for insects, fungi, and nutrients that help new plants grow.