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Natural Disturbances and Historic Range of Variation pp 33–47Cite as

Gap-Scale Disturbances in Central Hardwood Forests with Implications for Management

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Part of the book series: Managing Forest Ecosystems ((MAFE,volume 32))

Abstract

All forest ecosystems are subject to canopy disturbance events that influence species composition and stand structure, and drive patterns of succession and stand development. Disturbances may be categorized by a variety of characteristics, but they are most often classified along a gradient according to their spatial extent, magnitude, and frequency. This gradient spans from broad-scale, stand-replacing events where most of the overstory is removed to fine-scale events which result from the removal of a single canopy individual or a small cluster of trees. The disturbance regimes of most stands in the Central Hardwood Region are characterized by fine-scale events. At the stand scale, these localized and asynchronous events can create a patchwork mosaic of microsites comprised of different tree species, ages, diameters, heights, crown spreads, and growth rates. Through the modification of fine-scale biophysical conditions, these localized canopy disturbances promote heterogeneity and biodiversity in forest ecosystems. Forest management based on natural disturbance processes should consider elements of the gap-scale disturbance regime, such as frequency, size, shape, and closure mechanisms, and the historical range of variation associated with these characteristics. Silvicultural prescriptions are available for gap-based management designed to promote oak regeneration and mimic natural disturbance processes.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Merrit Cowden, Lauren Cox, Tom Weber, James Rentch, Beverly Collins, and Cathryn Greenberg for their many helpful comments on earlier drafts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography and Program in Environmental Science, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA

    Justin L. Hart

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  1. Justin L. Hart
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Correspondence to Justin L. Hart .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Bent Creek Experimental Forest, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

    Cathryn H. Greenberg

  2. Biology Department, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina, USA

    Beverly S. Collins

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Hart, J.L. (2016). Gap-Scale Disturbances in Central Hardwood Forests with Implications for Management. In: Greenberg, C., Collins, B. (eds) Natural Disturbances and Historic Range of Variation. Managing Forest Ecosystems, vol 32. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21527-3_2

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