page_title: Coarse woody debris
section_title: Wildfire
hierarchical_section_title: Coarse woody debris / Wildfire
caption_attribution_description: English: Windthrow; coarse woody debris Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock, Pacific Hemlock, Lowland Hemlock) and Thuja plicata (Western Redcedar) felled by the 2007-03-12 windstorm[1]] Français&#160;: Arbres arrachés durant une tempête de 2007 (Pruche de l'Ouest, Thuya géant de Californie) dans le Parc national Olympique.
context_page_description: Coarse woody debris or coarse woody habitat refers to fallen dead trees and the remains of large branches on the ground in forests and in rivers or wetlands. A dead standing tree – known as a snag – provides many of the same functions as coarse woody debris. The minimum size required for woody debris to be defined as "coarse" varies by author, ranging from 2.5–20 cm in diameter.
  Since the 1970s, forest managers worldwide have been encouraged to allow dead trees and woody debris to remain in woodlands, recycling nutrients trapped in the wood and providing food and habitat for a wide range of organisms, thereby improving biodiversity. The amount of coarse woody debris is considered an important criterion for the evaluation and restoration of temperate deciduous forest. Coarse woody debris is also important in wetlands, particularly in deltas where woody debris accumulates.
context_section_description: In fire-prone forests, coarse woody debris can be a significant fuel during a wildfire. High amounts of fuels can lead to increased fire severity and size. CWD may be managed to reduce fuel levels, particularly in forests where fire exclusion has resulted in the buildup of fuels. Reductions in CWD for fire safety should be balanced with the retention of CWD for habitat and other benefits. CWD is classified as 1000-hour fuel by fire managers, referring to the amount of time needed for the moisture level in the wood to react to the surrounding environment.
caption: Coarse woody debris may contribute to the intensity of wildfire.
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