Gap dynamics in a near-natural spruce forest at Mt. Brocken,Germany

We analyzed indices of gap dynamics, i.e. gap formation and gap closure rates as well as turnover rates, in a montane conifer forest in the temperate zone and asked: (1) Are the characteristics of gap dynamics comparable with those of other temperate forests? (2) Do gap dynamics exhibit temporal trends, and (3) if so, are they related to recent climate change? We also addressed methodological issues concerning the differences observed at differing temporal and spatial scales of the used datasets. Thus, we asked further how the indices of gap dynamics are influenced (4) by differences in the length of observation periods and (5) by differences in gap size categories included in the study?