The fact that forests are deeply connected and collaborative places has been known for a long time by Aboriginal peoples.
See these publications to learn more about indigenous ecological knowledge:
Miller, Bruce-subiyay. “Seeds of our Ancestors.” In: Smith, Willie and Ryan, Esme (eds.). Spirit of the First People: Native American Music Traditions of Washington State. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1999. Pages 25-49.
Ryan, T. L. 2014. Territorial jurisdiction: the cultural and economic significance of eulachon Thaleichthys pacificus in the north-central coast region of British Columbia. PhD dissertation, Resource Management and Environmental Studies, University of British Columbia. DOI: 10.14288/1.0167417.