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Science 23 January 1981:
Vol. 211. no. 4480, pp. 390 - 393
DOI: 10.1126/science.211.4480.390
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Articles

Natural Disturbance and the Steady State in High-Altitude Balsam Fir Forests

DOUGLAS G. SPRUGEL 1 and F. H. BORMANN 2

1 Department of Forestry, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48834
2 School of Ferestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511

Wind-induced, cyclic waves of death, regeneration, and maturation constantly move through the high-altitude balsam fir forests in the northeastern United States. Biomass and productivity relations, species diversity, and nutrient cycling patterns are closely tied to this cycle of disturbance. Disturbance is thus an integral part of the long-term maintenance of this ecosystem. Since forests of this type normally include all phases of the disturbance-regeneration cycle, they may constitute a steady-state ecosystem in equilibrium with the surrounding environment.

Submitted on February 21, 1980
Revised on October 6, 1980


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