This paper reviewed the concept,formation and function of gap and developed a new concept,canopy rift.It refers to the small 1-25m 2 rift in the canopy caused by the different distribution pattern of the canopy specie...This paper reviewed the concept,formation and function of gap and developed a new concept,canopy rift.It refers to the small 1-25m 2 rift in the canopy caused by the different distribution pattern of the canopy species or breakage,standing death and treefall.Canopy gap,mainly caused by small scale disturbances including natural disturbance regime and human disturbance regime,is an important phase in the forest regeneration cycle.It plays a leading role in the formation and maintenance of the patches mosaic structure in a forest community.Corresponding to the three phases of the forest regeneration cycle,patches can be classified into three types:gap phase,building phase and mature forest.Many factors may contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity.Here we divided them into ① intrinsic factors,mainly including the biological and ecological characteristics of the species and ② external factors,the heterogeneity of habitat.The formation of gaps leads to the diversification of micro environment,and changes the type and magnitude of understory.Gap impacts the forest micro environment,community structure and dynamic process.Gap causes different status of renewal between pioneer species and climax species,and generates the patch which is the different in the constitute of woods,population dynamic and growing speed.It leads to the diversity of community difference and species component,which is the difference of species between community patches.Gap is of great significance in enhancing and maintaining species diversity for it may enhance habitat heterogeneity.展开更多
文摘This paper reviewed the concept,formation and function of gap and developed a new concept,canopy rift.It refers to the small 1-25m 2 rift in the canopy caused by the different distribution pattern of the canopy species or breakage,standing death and treefall.Canopy gap,mainly caused by small scale disturbances including natural disturbance regime and human disturbance regime,is an important phase in the forest regeneration cycle.It plays a leading role in the formation and maintenance of the patches mosaic structure in a forest community.Corresponding to the three phases of the forest regeneration cycle,patches can be classified into three types:gap phase,building phase and mature forest.Many factors may contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity.Here we divided them into ① intrinsic factors,mainly including the biological and ecological characteristics of the species and ② external factors,the heterogeneity of habitat.The formation of gaps leads to the diversification of micro environment,and changes the type and magnitude of understory.Gap impacts the forest micro environment,community structure and dynamic process.Gap causes different status of renewal between pioneer species and climax species,and generates the patch which is the different in the constitute of woods,population dynamic and growing speed.It leads to the diversity of community difference and species component,which is the difference of species between community patches.Gap is of great significance in enhancing and maintaining species diversity for it may enhance habitat heterogeneity.
