The illustrious Smithsonian reports that, decades after the fact, long-dead trees in the Chernobyl hot zones aren't decomposing properly. And by "properly", they mean "the fundamental processes underlying ecosystemic function are plum broken, and new stuff ain't growin' cuz old stuff ain't dyin'."
(I may have paraphrased there.)
(I may have paraphrased there.)
Scientists suspect that the radiation impacted not only the insects that facilitate rotting, but also the fungi and microbes, leading to an abundance of leaf litter and debris. The ruined vegetation just won't go away.
It's a fascinating read. And, clearly, the Mutant Future is full of dead-yet-still-standing trees. Zomboreal forests, perhaps?
