This reference condition was quantified in 1994 by mapping and measuring woody vegetation in 18 fire-caused gaps in Giant Forest, 7 to 15 years following fire. Gap size was found to account for a significant amount of variability in density, growth rate, and/or cover of pioneer-type tree and shrub species. Learn more about how a natural disturbance model was developed to guide the Giant Forest vegetation restoration (231 KB, PDF format) about the use of fire-caused gaps as a natural disturbance model for restoration.