Although the environmental change by canopy gap formation in a forest improves the light availability for the saplings on the forest floor, it may result in stresses on the saplings due to high radiation and drought. In large-scale gaps, the photosynthesis of shade-tolerant species may be inhibited by high radiation and drought stress if they lack effective tolerance or avoidance mechanisms for...

The decay rate of standing deadwood, i.e., of snags, is slower than that of downed deadwood in contact with the forest floor. We agree with Dr. Anger’s opinion that this may be an important reason why clear age differences in the decay classes 1 – 3 are missing. Some snags fall earlier others later. This overshadows a clear age trend in decay. If the rate at which snags of larch fall down on th...