Spatial patterns in mesic savannas: the local facilitation limit and the role of demographic stochasticity

DOI10.1016/J.JTBI.2013.05.024zbMATH Open1397.92730arXiv1209.5178OpenAlexW2013740028WikidataQ44719430 ScholiaQ44719430MaRDI QIDQ1790795FDOQ1790795

Ricardo Martinez-Garcia, Cristóbal López, Justin M. Calabrese

Publication date: 4 October 2018

Published in: Journal of Theoretical Biology (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We propose a model equation for the dynamics of tree density in mesic savannas. It considers long-range competition among trees and the effect of fire acting as a local facilitation mechanism. Despite short-range facilitation is taken to the local-range limit, the standard full spectrum of spatial structures obtained in general vegetation models is recovered. Long-range competition is thus the key ingredient for the development of patterns. The long time coexistence between trees and grass, and how fires affect the survival of trees as well as the maintenance of the patterns is studied. The influence of demographic noise is analyzed. The stochastic system, under the parameter constraints typical of mesic savannas, shows irregular patterns characteristics of realistic situations. The coexistence of trees and grass still remains at reasonable noise intensities.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1209.5178

zbMATH Keywords

stochastic processesnonlinear dynamicsvegetation models

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Population dynamics (general) (92D25) Ecology (92D40) Stochastic processes (60G99)

Cites Work

• Pattern formation outside of equilibrium
• On the origin of tiger bush
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• Noise-Induced Phenomena in the Environmental Sciences
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Cited In (4)

• Spatio-temporal modelling of tree-grass dynamics in humid savannas: interplay between nonlocal competition and nonlocal facilitation
• Spatial self-organisation enables species coexistence in a model for savanna ecosystems
• Pattern formation in mesic savannas
• Neighborhood functions alter unbalanced facilitation on a stress gradient

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