Forests with a wide range of gap sizes offer diverse habitat conditions for the regeneration of trees. Habitat conditions vary among gaps, within gaps. at the gap/closed canopy interface (gap edge). and within the forest stand matrix. Most gap studies of forest regeneration have focused on population or community-level responses within gaps by examining
(1) differences in microclimate as gap size. shape, or orientation change, (2) differences in the nature and abundance of specific substrates availabie for colonization or (3) the effects of root and crow influence zones. The gap edge and stand matrix have received less study in terms of assessingth eir suitability for tree establishment and growth.