This young aspen forest grew after this part of the park was logged in 2004. Aspen can grow as much as 3 to 4 feet in a year when young, helping quickly fill openings created when disturbances such as fire or blow-down kill trees and leave soil prone to erosion. A healthy forest has diverse plant life, including a mix of species and tree ages, and forest managers watch that health and diversity closely. Without natural disturbances, aspen stands will stop continuing and contributing to the ecosystem, which is why this area was logged. Aspen also helps stabilize soil, fills gaps in the forest, and provides food for wildlife, including bark for beavers, porcupines, rabbits, and muskrats, leaves and twigs for deer, and seeds and flower buds for ruffed grouse. Its rounded leaves on flat stems strike one another and create a distinctive rustling sound in the wind.