Fig. 3

Illustration of the estimation of distance to edge and gap size for several points. In all cases, the wind is assumed to originate from the southwest. (a) (Top left) The distance to edge of two sample points is shown, as calculated by constructing a transect along the upwind direction. Here (as in b), the graduated colours indicate dominant height, the associated symbology is the same as (c). (b) (Top right) The gap size associated with two similar sample points is depicted. (c) (Bottom panel) The estimated distance to edge and gap size of several points (black dots) inside forest stands is shown. For any point, the red segment corresponds to the distance to edge. Likewise, the blue segment corresponds to the gap size. For points marked with text ‘1, 2’, the associated ‘distance to edge’ is low while the gap size is high. This contributes to higher wind damage vulnerability. Again, for points marked with text ‘3, 4’, the associated ‘distance to edge’ is high while the gap size is low. This sheltering effect, in turn, contributes to lower damage vulnerability