Rights statement: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Blackburn, G. A., Abd Latif, Z. and Boyd, D. S. (2014), Forest disturbance and regeneration: a mosaic of discrete gap dynamics and open matrix regimes?. J Veg Sci, 25: 1341–1354. doi:10.1111/jvs.12201 which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvs.12201/abstract This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
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Final published version
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Forest disturbance and regeneration
T2 - a mosaic of discrete gap dynamics and open matrix regimes?
AU - Blackburn, George Alan
AU - Abd Latif, Zulkiflee
AU - Boyd, Doreen Sandra
N1 - This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Blackburn, G. A., Abd Latif, Z. and Boyd, D. S. (2014), Forest disturbance and regeneration: a mosaic of discrete gap dynamics and open matrix regimes?. J Veg Sci, 25: 1341–1354. doi:10.1111/jvs.12201 which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvs.12201/abstract This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
PY - 2014/11
Y1 - 2014/11
N2 - QuestionRecent research in boreal forest suggests that an ‘open matrix’ model may be more appropriate than the traditional model of spatially discrete gap dynamics for describing forest disturbance and regeneration, but what is the evidence from temperate broad-leaved deciduous forests concerning the prevalence of these alternative models?LocationSemi-natural temperate broad-leaved deciduous forest in southern England.MethodsMulti-temporal LiDAR data were used to monitor the changes in tree canopy height and canopy gaps over a 10-yr period for a 130-ha area of forest. Gap dynamics were characterized by quantifying gap creation, expansion, contraction and closure. By identifying the types and rates of canopy height transitions, areas of gap contraction and closure were attributed to the processes of lateral crown growth or vertical regeneration.ResultsAcross the study site there was a zonation in canopy and gap properties and their dynamics. Many areas of the forest had the characteristics of open wood-pasture dominated by large, complex gaps being maintained under a regime of chronic disturbance. In these areas, several characteristics of the gap dynamics indicated that regeneration was restricted and this may be attributable to spatially-focused overgrazing by large herbivores. In contrast, other areas were characterized by high, closed canopy forest with small, discrete gaps where gap creation and infill were balanced.ConclusionsAt the landscape-scale broad-leaved deciduous forests contain a spatial mosaic of zones, which conform to different models of disturbance and regeneration dynamics; discrete gap dynamics and open matrix regimes are juxtaposed. It is now important to elucidate the abiotic factors and biotic interactions that determine the spatio-temporal distribution of the different regimes and to examine whether such a ‘regime mosaic’ model is applicable in other forest types.
AB - QuestionRecent research in boreal forest suggests that an ‘open matrix’ model may be more appropriate than the traditional model of spatially discrete gap dynamics for describing forest disturbance and regeneration, but what is the evidence from temperate broad-leaved deciduous forests concerning the prevalence of these alternative models?LocationSemi-natural temperate broad-leaved deciduous forest in southern England.MethodsMulti-temporal LiDAR data were used to monitor the changes in tree canopy height and canopy gaps over a 10-yr period for a 130-ha area of forest. Gap dynamics were characterized by quantifying gap creation, expansion, contraction and closure. By identifying the types and rates of canopy height transitions, areas of gap contraction and closure were attributed to the processes of lateral crown growth or vertical regeneration.ResultsAcross the study site there was a zonation in canopy and gap properties and their dynamics. Many areas of the forest had the characteristics of open wood-pasture dominated by large, complex gaps being maintained under a regime of chronic disturbance. In these areas, several characteristics of the gap dynamics indicated that regeneration was restricted and this may be attributable to spatially-focused overgrazing by large herbivores. In contrast, other areas were characterized by high, closed canopy forest with small, discrete gaps where gap creation and infill were balanced.ConclusionsAt the landscape-scale broad-leaved deciduous forests contain a spatial mosaic of zones, which conform to different models of disturbance and regeneration dynamics; discrete gap dynamics and open matrix regimes are juxtaposed. It is now important to elucidate the abiotic factors and biotic interactions that determine the spatio-temporal distribution of the different regimes and to examine whether such a ‘regime mosaic’ model is applicable in other forest types.
KW - Broad-leaved Deciduous Forest
KW - Disturbance
KW - Gap dynamics
KW - LiDAR
KW - Regeneration
U2 - 10.1111/jvs.12201
DO - 10.1111/jvs.12201
M3 - Journal article
VL - 25
SP - 1341
EP - 1354
JO - Journal of Vegetation Science
JF - Journal of Vegetation Science
SN - 1100-9233
IS - 6
ER -