An Old-growth forest (also termed primary forest, ancient forest, virgin forest, primeval forest, frontier forest or in Britain, ancient woodland) is a forest that has attained great age (and associated structural features), and thereby exhibits unique ecological features[1].
Old-growth forests typically contain large and old live trees, large dead trees (sometimes called "snags"), and large logs. Individual tree mortality creates gaps in the main canopy layer, allowing light to penetrate the main canopy and create favorable conditions for photosynthesis in the understory (which is why old-growth understory is more developed than in immature stands).
Patagonia Tours
vibrocompaction
Subject: Old-growth forest 
Wed Dec 01, 2010 2:50 am