Conceptual model for a hypothetical forest showing: a a gradual loss of 50 % of the original biomass, followed by a slow recovery, and b an instantaneous selective harvest of all large trees, followed by an unfettered period of recovery. In the former case, there is likely to be a period during which living trees are regenerating but the supply of newly fallen logs continues to reduce, leading to a temporary uncoupling of their dynamics (with likely consequences of reduced turnover of nutrients). In the latter situation, the unstable size structure of the post-harvest forest will result in rapid re-establishment of tree abundance, but a slower recovery of biomass, and again, a period of decoupling between the living and dead forest components.