L4 Gap dynamics Flashcards
Who proposed the gap dynamics model?
Aubreville in 1930s
What are the three stages of the gap mosaic model?
1 - Gap creation immediately following tree fall
2- Building or regeneration phase, characterised by competition for light and resources
3- Mature phase, where the high emergent canopy is reestablished
How are gaps created?
Trees die and fall Trees blown down Struck by lightning One tree fall may bring down multiple Large branches fall
How do gaps vary?
In size, in the amount of damage created in gap creation and the type of forest
What is the gap fraction?
The fraction of sky visible through the canopy
What are the factors involved in creating a microclimate in the gap?
Amount of light
Wind blows more through gap
Moisture - air vapour pressure
Temperature
What is the most limiting factor in the understory?
Light
How much sunlight reaches the understory?
0.4 - 2% full sunlight/300m2
How much sunlight reaches the forest floor in a gap?
8.6 - 24% Full sunlight/300m2. -tenfold increase
What is PAR?
Photosynthetically active radiation
What are the different stages of succession in ta gap?
Radio colonisation by pioneer species
Rapid growth of the short lived pioneer species, forms a canopy over 10-30 years
Slower growing climax trees increase in biomass and become taller below pioneer canopy
Pioneer canopy eventually dies, and climax species become emergent canopy
What does pioneer and climax species refer to?
Categorisation based son plant characteristics that influence growth and survival strategies in the tropical forest environment, classification represents extremes on a continuum
What are the pioneer species?
Early, successional, light dependent, secondary
What are the general characteristics of the pioneer species?
Produce a lot of seeds that are widely dispersed
Seeds require light to germinate so are gap dependent, lay dormant in the seed bank until conditions are right
High photosynthesis and respiration rates.
Transpire rapidly
Crowns open to capture light, leaves big
Shorter lifespan, trade off: invest more in growth than in defence
Low wood density and highly branched
May be mycorrhizal
Live for 10-30 years
Describe the distribution of pioneer species
Widely dispersed so are species poor and development of distinct populations is reduced