Stanley Park Environmental Art - Semi-permanent Works

Ecological Response

provided by Robyn Worcester of SPES for Cozy

Cozy has provided a blanket of wood to an existing stump. This addition of course woody debris to the forest is helpful in many ways. As the artwork gradually decomposes with the help of the elements and organisms such as insects, bacteria and fungus, the wood will begin to serve as vital habitat for many species. Because the cozy will rot faster than the stump below it, it will create a unique substrate on which new plants can colonize and will provide homes for small organisms such as wood bugs, slugs, and ants.

Over time, as the cozy and stump break down, they will form a rich, moist microhabitat which will provide shelter for larger animals. It may serve as a territorial calling platform for songbirds, as escape cover for small mammals or as a breeding site for terrestrial salamanders. The hemp fibers used to tie the cookies together may also serve as nesting material for birds. Many species of birds line the inside of their nests with soft materials to protect their young. Since the artist chose a stump that was away from the trail, a small, temporary wood chip path was laid down. This path will prevent soil erosion and vegetation trampling while the artwork is intact and then will gradually decompose and disappear over time.