Modeling Forest Ecosystem Dynamics

The dynamics of the forest RI under management and environmental constraints is determined by a mathematical model of multi-species forest ecosystem dynamics. The RI model was developed by Pichancourt et al. (2014) (link) and uses the same parameterization here (see http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.12345/suppinfo). Its biological structure is detailed in Fig. 2. It includes sub-models of life-history traits, architecture, physiology, demography, competition for resources, and above-ground organic carbon biomass in relation to climate, soil and landscape contexts. This model was used because it is still one of the only mathematical models as of today to be able to correctly scale up the dynamics of single to complex tree species assemblages, and to make predictions on their structure and dynamics under a diversity of forestry or restoration practices. Because its underpinnings are important to interpret the results, this part of the Methods section presents a summary of its structure and basic assumptions.