Theory 19/Temperate Forest/Diversity
Diversity Peaks in the Middle
The claim
Temperate forest diversity peaks at an intermediate disturbance frequency because both competition and mortality limit diversity at the extremes.
01Mechanism
Too little disturbance lets competitors exclude; too much prevents establishment. The peak is where both pressures are moderate.
02Prediction
Diversity should peak at an intermediate frequency.
03Refutation
Monotonic diversity with disturbance would remove the peak.