Modelling Wind Damage to Southeastern U.S. Trees: Effects of Wind Profile, Gaps, Neighborhood Interactions, and Wind Direction

Tree damage from a variety of types wind events is widespread and great ecological economic importance. In terms areas impacted, tropical storms have the most effects on temperate forests, with southeastern U.S. forests particularly prone to storm damage. This impact motivates attempts understand tree forest characteristics that influence levels study presents initial findings spatially explicit, individual-based mechanistic severity model, ForSTORM, parameterized winching research trees in model allows independent control six neighborhood parameters likely patterns damage, such as gap formation, shape vertical profile, indirect support neighbors. We arranged subject two virtual stands orientations identical positions relative each other, but one stand rotated 90 degrees other – explore effect coming alternative directions. The reproduces several trends observed field surveys, well analogous CWS models developed for reveals unexpected insights. Wind profiles higher extinction coefficients, or steeper decrease speed canopy top lower levels, resulted significantly critical speeds, thus reducing level given speed. Three formulations also led significant differences (CWS), although profile was less than different coefficients. differed little between orientations. Support neighboring regardless type spatial arrangement trees. presence absence gaps caused marginally CWS, while inclusion along direct did not change those by alone. Empirical could benefit this modelling approach includes improving crown area measurement, refining drag development biomechanical framework neighbor support.