Theory 25/Temperate Forest/Old growth
Old Growth Needs Gaps
The claim
Old-growth structure develops only above a threshold in gap formation rate, because large trees and deadwood require repeated small disturbances.
01Mechanism
Gaps create the heterogeneity that supports large trees and coarse woody debris; below the threshold the stand remains even-aged.
02Prediction
Structural complexity should track gap rate.
03Refutation
Complexity tracking stand age would remove gaps.