A
secondary forest (or
second-growth forest) is a
forest or
woodland area which has re-grown after a major disturbance such as
fire,
insect infestation,
timber harvest or
windthrow, until a long enough period has passed so that the effects of the disturbance are no longer evident. It is distinguished from an
old-growth forest (primary or primeval forest), which has not undergone such disruptions, as well as third-growth forests that result from severe disruptions in second growth forests.