Catastrophic Disturbance, Patch Dynamics and Recovery in Old-Growth Forest

在Tionesta风景区的原始森林中发生的F4级“破坏性龙卷风”为研究灾难性风干扰对森林再生的影响提供了一个独特的机会。这些事件虽然对中叶阔叶林的组织至关重要，但研究很少，特别是在原生林中。在原生林中，灾难性的风扰动会产生大量的斑块，这将对更新产生持久的影响。在几个尺度上的斑块，包括以前未研究过的植物建立和第一次相互作用的精细尺度，将被测量。将评估如何利用环境测量和对斑块的实验改造，在近距离的时空细节上确定斑块的变化模式及其生物学意义。尽管斑块和再生的细节可能是每个干扰和地点所特有的，但本研究将为灾难性干扰的推广提供机制基础。

The occurrence of a Class F4 "devastating tornado" in the old-growth forest of the Tionesta Scenic Area provides a unique opportunity to study the effects of catastrophic wind disturbance on forest regeneration. Such events, although critical to the organization of mesic broadleaved forest, have been studied only rarely, particularly in old-growth forest. It is proposed that castastrophic wind disturbance in old-growth forest should produce much patchiness, which will have a lasting effect on regeneration. The patchiness at several scales, including the previously unstudied fine scale on which plants become established and first interact will be measured. How the patterns of patches change will be determined in close spatial and temporal detail and their biological significance, using both environmental measurement and experimental modification of patches will be evaluated. Although the details of patchiness and regeneration are likely to be unique to each disturbance and site, this research will provide a mechanistic basis for generalization about catastrophic disturbances.