Abstract
The theory of gap dynamics generalizes disturbance-diversity-forest dynamics relationships but is hotly debated. Studies of interactions between tropical cyclones and forest dynamics at the Fushan Long-term Ecological Research Site in northeastern Taiwan, where typhoon disturbances occur on an annual basis, indicate that gaps created by disturbances do not always differ from the non-gap understory in important physical conditions such as light availability and variability. Therefore, shade-tolerant and -intolerant species can coexist in both gaps and the non-gap understory. In such forests, gaps are not indispensable for the establishment and growth of shade-intolerant species as postulated by the theory of gap dynamics. Thus, it is important to focus on specific environmental conditions rather than the gap versus non-gap status when discussing gap-biodiversity-forest dynamics relationships. In the era of climate change characterized by more-frequent climate extremes and natural disturbances, we should move beyond generalizations and directly address the processes leading to the observed relationships among disturbance, diversity, and forest dynamics.
Translated title of the contribution | Reevaluating the theory of gap dynamics using studies of typhoon disturbance at the fushan experimental forest, Northeastern Taiwan |
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Original language | Chinese (Traditional) |
Pages (from-to) | 97-102 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Taiwan Journal of Forest Science |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 2020 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Forestry