GAP CHARACTERISTICS AND REPLACEMENT PATTERNS IN THE KNYSNA FOREST, SOUTH-AFRICA

We investigated gap formation and gap replacement in the Knysna Forest . Most (70%) trees died standing, most gaps were small (median gap siz e of 35 m(2); Gap diameter/Canopy height ratio of 0.24) and were forme d by a single dead individual. No large differences were found among t he more common species in terms of the size of gaps they created when they died or in the size of gaps they colonised. This is probably beca use the more common species are shade tolerant and they established be fore the gaps were formed. Regenerating individuals were almost never found on root mounds in pits or on logs. There were no indications of specific replacement patterns. In contrast, random replacement appears to be the dominant pattern for the more common species. Overall succe ssional patterns suggest that the forest is relatively stable. We conc lude that the gaps/non-gaps paradigm is not as useful as a lottery par adigm for explaining gap dynamics in the Knysna Forest.