Logging leaves a fingerprint on the number, size, spatial configuration and geometry of tropical forest canopy gaps

Recent advances in remote sensing such as airborne laser scanning have revolution - ized our ability to accurately map forest canopy gaps, with huge implications for track - ing forest dynamics at scale. However, few studies have explored how canopy gaps vary among forests at different successional stages following disturbances, such as those caused by logging. Moreover, most studies have focused exclusively on the size distribution of gaps, ignoring other key features such as their spatial distribu - tion and shape. Here, we test a series of hypotheses about how the number, size, spatial configuration, and geometry of gaps vary across a logging disturbance gradi - ent in Malaysian Borneo. As predicted, we found that recently logged forests had much higher gap fraction compared to old- growth forests, a result of having both a greater total number of gaps and a higher proportion of large gaps. Regrowing forests, on the other hand, fell at the opposite end of the spectrum, being characterized by both fewer and smaller gaps compared to nearby old- growth forests. Across all suc - cessional stages gaps were found to be spatially clustered. However, logging signifi - cantly diluted the degree of spatial aggregation and led to the formation of gaps with much more complex geometries. Our results showcase how logging and subsequent regrowth substantially alter not just the number and size of gaps in a forest, but also their spatial arrangement and shape. Linking these emergent patterns to their under - lying processes is key to better understanding the impacts of human disturbance on the structure and function of tropical forests. Abstract in Malay is available with online material.