NPS Photo Forests, like most ecological communities, are ever-changing. In a high-density forest, the canopy limits the amount of light reaching the forest floor. As individual trees die, the understory plants, shrubs, and new growth have more access to light. As time passes, the plants compete with another and eventually the forest fills the light gap. Ecologists call this natural progression of growth and development of plant communities’: succession. Succession generally follows a pre-determined path formed by the local and regional climate, seed availability, and soil condition. A natural disturbance is an important phase of succession. Disturbance jumpstarts the successional journey. In forests, natural disturbances occur on many scales– from a single tree to the entire forest. There are periods of time in a forest where many trees of the same size or age die due to insect outbreaks, wildfire, or landslides. These large-scale disturbances may impact forest recovery for many years. Highlighting Forest Disturbance in Denali National Park & Preserve
Spruce Beetle
The spruce beetle infestation at Denali NPP has significantly impacted spruce forests in Alaska. This section outlines the forest response. 
Ecosystems After Fire
Immediately after a fire, the ecological effects can be devastating, but the regrowth after a major fire is just as dramatic. 
Boreal Blights
The boreal forest is dynamic, with disturbances like fire, flooding, fungi, and insect infestations affecting plant species and communities. |
Last updated: March 10, 2025