Article: 

Bugmann, H., 1996. A simplified forest model to study species composition 
        along climate gradients.  Ecology, 77(7): 2055-2074.

Abstract:

Developed a new forest gap model, FORCLIM, that includes only a minimum number of ecological assumptions but robust parameterizations of the effects of climate on plant population dynamics: tested the realism of FORCLIM as compared to its predecessor model, FORECE; and examined the behavior of FORECE and FORCLIM systematically along climate gradients in Europe. Both the pattern of aboveground biomass and the realized niches of the dominating tree species are simulated realistically by FORCLIM. Extremely steep gradients are characteristic of FORECE, and many ecotones are simulated to occur in the wrong places in FORECE.

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