Theory 24/Temperate Forest/Edge effects
Edges Penetrate by Geometry
The claim
The depth of forest edge effects is set by the ratio of canopy height to the fetch of the opening, so a small clearing has a shallower edge than a wide one.
01Mechanism
Wind and light penetrate from the edge until the canopy closes; the aspect ratio of the opening sets how far that is.
02Prediction
Edge depth should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Edge depth tracking edge length would remove geometry.