Gap disturbance modeling using Landis

[tiphaine...@gmail.com]

Hi,

I am using Landis with the Biomass-succession extension to modeling old-growth temperate forest.

I already computed a gap disturbance rate per year (1.2%) and I want to simulate it in Landis in addition to partial windthrow disturbance using Wind Base and selection cutting using Biomass-harvest.

How can I simulate gap disturbance? I think I can do it using Biomass-harvest, by applying a "gap" prescription or I can change the mortality shape parameter of each species in the biomass-succession.txt file.

Which way is the best to simulate gap disturbance in Landis? Is there a better way to do it?

Thank you for your help,
Cheers
Tiphaine Després.

[Robert Scheller]

Tiphanie,

I suggest using the finest resolution possible (30 m?) and use Base or Biomass Harvest to punch gaps into the canopy.  

The mortality parameters in Biomass Succession dictate the longer duration dynamics of cohorts across the entire landscape and would not be appropriate.

Cheers,

Rob