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Gaps are the result of natural disturbances in forests, ranging from a large branch breaking off and dropping from a tree, to a tree dying then falling over, bringing its roots to the surface of the ground, to landslides bringing down large groups of trees. Because of the range of causes, gaps, therefore, have a wide range of sizes, including small and large gaps. Regardless of size, gaps allow an increase in light as well as changes in moisture and wind levels, leading to differences in microclimate conditions compared to those from below the closed canopy, which are generally cooler and more shaded.
For gap dynamics to occur in naturally disturbed areas, either [[Primary succession|primary]] or [[Secondary succession|secondary]] [[Ecological succession|succession]] must occur. Ecological secondary succession is much more common and pertains to the process of vegetation replacement after a natural disturbance. Secondary succession results in second-growth or secondary forest, which currently covers more of the tropics than old-growth forest.
Since gaps let in more light and create diverse microclimates, they provide the ideal ___location and conditions for rapid plant reproduction and growth. In fact, most plant species in the tropics are dependent, at least in part, on gaps to complete their life cycles.<ref name="Kricher 2011 188–226">{{cite book|last=Kricher|first=John|title=Tropical ecology|year=2011|publisher=Princeton University Press|___location=Princeton, New Jersey|pages=188–226}}</ref>
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