1. Frequency Frequency of return time for the critical behaviour of the entity ie phenomena viewed as cyclical rather than directional human breathing seasonal pulse of plant growth death and recruitment in a population Higher levels in hierarchy have a lower return time ie. behave at a lower frequency Lower levels behave at a higher frequency maintenance of forest structure through individual spp come and go forest structure-high level, low frequency individual trees -low level, high frequency the whole turns over more slowly than the parts1. Frequency - Frequency of return time for the critical behaviour of the entity - ie. phenomena viewed as cyclical rather than directional : human breathing seasonal pulse of plant growth death and recruitment in a population - Higher levels in hierarchy have a lower return time ie. behave at a lower frequency - Lower levels behave at a higher frequency : maintenance of forest structure through individual spp come and go forest structure - high level, low frequency individual trees - low level, high frequency : the whole turns over more slowly than the parts