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On the Ecology of Mountainous Forests in a Changing Climate: A ...

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Analysis <strong>of</strong> exist<strong>in</strong>g forest gap models 19<br />

portant only after gap formation (years 7'500-7'600, 8'300-8'550), and <strong>the</strong> occurrence<br />

<strong>of</strong> alder (Alnus viridis) is episodic when large gaps have been formed by <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong><br />

canopy dom<strong>in</strong>ants (year 8'550). Tree numbers (Fig. 2.2 bottom) exhibit strong fluctuations,<br />

with peaks occurr<strong>in</strong>g generally after biomass has been low. However, <strong>the</strong>re is no<br />

obvious relationship between <strong>the</strong> height <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> peaks <strong>of</strong> tree numbers and <strong>the</strong> values <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> biomass m<strong>in</strong>ima. The reason is that gap formation pr<strong>in</strong>cipally allows for <strong>in</strong>creased<br />

sapl<strong>in</strong>g establishment because <strong>of</strong> higher light availability, but actual establishment rates<br />

are modified by o<strong>the</strong>r factors such as wea<strong>the</strong>r as well.<br />

300<br />

Davos<br />

Biomass (t/ha)<br />

200<br />

100<br />

Alnus viridis<br />

P<strong>in</strong>us cembra<br />

Picea excelsa<br />

0<br />

7500<br />

8000<br />

8500 9000<br />

Simulation year<br />

9500<br />

10000<br />

3000<br />

number (#/ha)<br />

2000<br />

1000<br />

Picea excelsa<br />

P<strong>in</strong>us cembra<br />

Alnus viridis<br />

Tree<br />

0<br />

7500<br />

8000<br />

8500 9000<br />

Simulation year<br />

9500<br />

10000<br />

Fig. 2.2: Excerpt from <strong>the</strong> simulation results <strong>of</strong> a s<strong>in</strong>gle forest patch at <strong>the</strong> site Davos.<br />

Top: Cumulative species-specific biomass. Bottom: Tree numbers.

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