Theory 43/Forest succession/Onset phase
Succession Starts on a Disturbance Threshold
The claim
Succession begins only above a threshold in disturbance severity, below which the existing canopy merely closes gaps without reorganising.
01Mechanism
Reorganisation requires enough mortality to free resources; the threshold sets it.
02Prediction
Succession should follow severe but not minor disturbance.
03Refutation
Succession following any disturbance would remove the threshold.