They remain standing longer, providing a greater variety of niches over a longer period of time. Regrettably, these are the trees that are in the greatest danger. Once these trees are gone, the niches they create are gone for a half-century or more. Many forest managers are realizing the importance of diversity in healthy forest ecosystems. It is important to remember the continuum from hard to soft snags.
Woodpeckers busily create cavities in hard snags.
When these snags become too soft the woodpeckers find more suitable hard snags. Other insectivorous birds, like chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches, occupy the woodpecker cavities in the soft snags. A healthy population of insectivorous birds and bats can help protect forests from damaging insects like bark beetles. If the cycle is disrupted in any one place, the entire ecosystem will suffer. Snags are a boon for backyard wildlife fanciers.