Conceptual models of forest dynamics in environmental education and management: keep it as simple as possible, but no simpler

Forest Ecosystems

Table 1 Comparison of the properties of the different proposed conceptual models of forest dynamics and the comprehensive model proposed in this paper

Conceptual model	Temporal representation	Spatial representation	Cross-scale interactions	Transitions between modes of forest dynamics
Classical directional model	Directional	Unspecified (stand)	Not considered	Not considered
Large vs. small cycle model	Directional and cyclic	Large and small scale	Not considered	Considered
Mosaic cycle model	Cyclic	Patch/stand scale	Not considered	Not considered
Panarchy	Cyclic	Multiple scales	Considered	Not considered
Comprehensive model	Directional and cyclic	Multiple scales	Considered	Considered

References for the models: Classical directional model: Clements (1916), Begon et al. (2006). Large vs. small cycle model: Sirén (1955), Seymour et al. (2002). Mosaic cycle model: Remmert (1991). Panarchy: Holling (2001). Comprehensive model: Kuuluvainen (2009)