Simulating the effects of typhoon-induced defoliation on forest dynamics using a process-based model in a subtropical forest

Typhoon is the most frequent natural disturbance in northwest Pacific Ocean, and it is an important factor to affect the structure and function of forest ecosystem in East Asia [1, 2]. Recent observations revealed that climate change may alter the intensity or frequency of typhoons in the past decade [3, 4]. Assessing the potential impacts of extreme typhoon events on ecosystem structure and carbon cycle is critical, especially in frequently perturbed regions such as Taiwan (3.7 typhoons/year) [1].