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The mechanism controlling this interaction is most likely facilitation. Figure 3 shows that when there is less Aspen the Fir die significantly more.  One reason may be due to the Fir being able to take over much faster than they would usually be able to in the successional cycle. If they are taking over faster, and more often then the case of fires is going to occur more. With more fires the cycle will begin again after both species get burnt down. Aspen will then arrive first, and if re-thinned will get taken over by Fir again very quickly resulting in more frequent fires and a higher mortality rate for Fir. The Aspen morality rate does not increase by a lot because by the time the fire occurs the plot is already overtaken by the Fir.