SORTIE-ND
Software for spatially-explicit simulation of forest dynamics

Stochastic Gap Growth

This behavior uses a shortcut for simulating gap dynamics with very competitive conditions. This behavior causes rapid growth in high light, with a unique "winner"; low light produces no growth at all.

How it works

This behavior simulates high growth in gap conditions. It relies on the Gap Light grid created by the Gap Light behavior to tell it where the gaps are. In this grid, each cell is either in gap (with 100% GLI) or not in gap (with 0% GLI). If a cell is in gap, a tree in that cell is randomly chosen out of all the trees to which the behavior applies to be promoted directly to adult tree status (even if it is a seedling). This tree represents the "winner". All other trees in the cell do not grow. In cells that are not in gap, no trees grow.

How to apply it

This behavior can be applied to seedlings, saplings, and adults of any species. Any tree species/type combination to which it is applied must also have the Gap Light behavior applied.