Heart rot and other tree disease serve as factors of environmental change. This is magnified in areas that are not prone to large-scale dynamic disturbances like wildfires or are dominated by old-growth timber. In older-growth forests, trees are unable to combat heart rot effectively because they grow at a much slower pace. Extensive rot causes these trees to be more susceptible to high winds and trunk fracture. As the old growth dies out, it allows new growth to take its place, altering the dynamic of the environment.Hennon, P.E. "Are Heart Rot Fungi Major Factors of Disturbance in Gap-Dynamic Forests?." Heart Rot. https://research.wsulibs.wsu.edu:8443/dspace/bitstream/2376/1307/1/v69%20p284%20Hennon.PDF (accessed February 7, 2010). Decaying trees and tree hollows also provide shelter to animals as well as microorganisms. Through this process of dynamic change, heart rot contributes to biologically diverse habitats.British Columbia Forestry Development. "CTD — Heart Rots: Red Heart Rot." Forestry Development. http://www.forestry-dev.org/diseases/ctd/Group/Heart/heart19_e.html (accessed January 25, 2010).
