Coarse woody debris provides shelter, nesting and denning sites, and foraging opportunities for many organisms ranging from fungi, salamanders and squirrels, to black bears. As downed wood rots, it slowly releases valuable nutrients into the soil. Coarse woody debris can also help stabilize slopes and act as nurse logs for young seedlings. Retaining large pieces of scattered wood on the ground after harvesting, rather than yarding them to landings or roadsides, increases coarse woody debris and helps maintain site productivity and biodiversity.