Spatial interactions and resilience in arid ecosystems
Publication date
2004
Authors
Koppel, J. van de
Rietkerk, M.G.
Editors
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Supervisors
DOI
Document Type
Article
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(c) UU Universiteit Utrecht, 2004
Abstract
We present a mathematical analysis of the consequences
of spatial interactions between vegetation patches by means of water
flow for the functioning of arid systems. Our model results suggest
that spatial exchange of water improved the resilience to disturbances
and increased the resistance to human-induced loss of cover. Furthermore,
spatial exchange of water allowed vegetation to persist at
lower rainfall levels compared to systems that lack spatial interactions.
Our analysis stresses the general importance of spatial interactions
for the functioning of ecological systems.
Keywords
positive feedback, spatial model, spatial scale, vegetation collapse, vegetation patterns