On the left border of this picture is a fallen tree. It is covered with moss and in the beginning stages of decay. But it is this decay which, in the rain forest, becomes fodder for new growth. Logs such as this are called 'nurse logs', and in a few years, young trees will be feeding in a straight line along this log. On the right side of the picture, you can see trees which have obviously sprouted -- in a line -- from such a nurse log.
Photograph by K. L. Slusher
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