Irregular Striped Vegetation Patterns in Arid and Semiarid Regions Resulted from Oscillatory Instability

2014 ◽  
Vol 707 ◽  
pp. 263-266
Author(s):  
Tou Sheng Huang ◽  
Hua Yong Zhang ◽  
Fei Fan Zhang

Striped vegetation pattern formation in arid and semiarid regions has attracted many researchers in ecological field. In this research, we modify the classical Klausmeier model and study nonlinear mechanism of oscillatory instability which can also possibly lead to pattern formation in ecological systems. Via simulation, irregular striped vegetation patterns are numerically obtained for the modified model. From the mechanism of oscillatory instability, this research provides a theoretical explanation for the formation of irregular striped vegetation patterns in nature.

Complexity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Huayong Zhang ◽  
Tousheng Huang ◽  
Liming Dai ◽  
Ge Pan ◽  
Zhao Liu ◽  
...  

The research on regular and irregular vegetation pattern formation in semiarid regions is an important field in ecology. Applying the framework of coupled map lattice, a novel nonlinear space- and time-discrete model is developed based on discretizing the classical Klausmeier model and the vegetation pattern formation in semiarid regions is restudied in this research. Through analysis of Turing-type instability for the discrete model, the conditions for vegetation pattern formation are determined. The discrete model is verified by Klausmeier’s results with the same parametric data, and shows advantages in quantitatively describing diverse vegetation patterns in semiarid regions, such as the patterns of regular mosaicirregular patches, stripes, fractured stripesspots, and stripes-spots, in comparing with former theoretical models. Moreover, the discrete model predicts variations of rainfall and vegetation types can cause transitions of vegetation patterns. This research demonstrates that the nonlinear mechanism of the discrete model better captures the diversity and complexity of vegetation pattern formation in semiarid regions.


2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Foti ◽  
J. A. Ramírez

Abstract. Vegetation patterns are a common and well-defined characteristic of many landscapes. In this paper we explore some of the physical mechanisms responsible for the establishment of self-organized, non-random vegetation patterns that arise at the hillslope scale in many areas of the world, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. In doing so, we provide a fundamental mechanistic understanding of the dynamics of vegetation pattern formation and development. Reciprocal effects of vegetation on the hillslope thermodynamics, runoff production and run-on infiltration, root density, surface albedo and soil moisture content are analyzed. In particular, we: (1) present a physically based mechanistic description of processes leading to vegetation pattern formation; (2) quantify the relative impact of each process on pattern formation; and (3) describe the relationships between vegetation patterns and the climatic, hydraulic and topographic characteristics of the system. We validate the model by comparing simulations with observed natural patterns in the areas of Niger near Niamey and Somalia near Garoowe. Our analyses suggest that the phenomenon of pattern formation is primarily driven by run-on infiltration and mechanisms of facilitation/inhibition among adjacent vegetation groups, mediated by vegetation effects on soil properties and controls on soil moisture and albedo. Nonetheless, even in presence of those mechanisms, patterns arise only when the climatic conditions, particularly annual precipitation and net radiation, are favorable.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 8737-8798
Author(s):  
R. Foti ◽  
J. A. Ramírez

Abstract. Vegetation patterns are a common and well-defined characteristic of many landscapes. In this paper we explore some of the physical mechanisms responsible for the establishment of self-organized, non-random vegetation patterns that arise at the hillslope scale in many areas of the world, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. In doing so, we provide a fundamental mechanistic understanding of the dynamics of vegetation pattern formation and development. Reciprocal effects of vegetation on the hillslope thermodynamics, runoff production and run-on infiltration, root density, surface albedo and soil moisture content are analyzed. In particular, we: (1) present a physically based mechanistic description of processes leading to vegetation pattern formation; (2) quantify the relative impact of each process on pattern formation; and (3) describe the relationships between vegetation patterns and the climatic, hydraulic and topographic characteristics of the system. We validate the model by comparing simulations with observed natural patterns in the areas of Niger near Niamey and Somalia near Garoowe. Our analyses suggest that the phenomenon of pattern formation is primarily driven by run-on infiltration and mechanisms of facilitation/inhibition among adjacent vegetation groups mediated by vegetation effects on soil properties and controls on soil moisture and albedo. Nonetheless, even in presence of those mechanisms, patterns arise only when the climatic conditions, particularly annual precipitation and net radiation, are favorable.


2020 ◽  
Vol 410 ◽  
pp. 132534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Punit Gandhi ◽  
Sara Bonetti ◽  
Sarah Iams ◽  
Amilcare Porporato ◽  
Mary Silber

1992 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Savini ◽  
J. D. Dunsmore ◽  
I. D. Robertson ◽  
P. Seneviratna

SUMMARYOesophagus samples from 714 cattle from Western Australia were examined by artificial digestion to detect the presence of Sarcocystis spp. The overall prevalence of infection was 52%. The prevalence of infection increased with age and was highest in the entire males (92%). The prevalence was lower in cattle which originated from arid and semiarid regions (9 and 31% respectively) than those from tropical (87%) and temperate (60%) regions. possible reasons for these differences are discussed and it is concluded that environmental and management factors as well as host age and sex influence the prevalence of infection with Sarcocystis spp. in cattle.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malte Kuegler ◽  
Thomas Hoffmann ◽  
Jana Eichel ◽  
Lothar Schrott ◽  
Juergen Schmidt

<p>There are a multitude of factors that affect soil erosion and the process of sediment movement. One particular factor known to have a considerable impact is vegetation coverage within catchment areas.  Previous studies have examined the impact of vegetation cover on erosion. However, there is a lack of research on how the spatial distribution of vegetation influences erosion rates.</p><p>A greater understanding of hillslope erosion is fundamental in modelling previous and future topographic changes under various climate conditions. Here, the physical based erosion model EROSION 3D © is used to evaluate the impact of a variety of vegetation patterns and degrees of vegetation cover on sediment erosion and transport. The model was applied on a natural catchment in La Campana (Central Chile). For this purpose, three different vegetation patterns were created: (i) random distribution, (ii) water-dependent distribution (TWIR) and (iii) banded vegetation pattern distribution. Additional to this, the areas covered by vegetation generated in the first step were expanded by steps of 10% [0...100%]. The Erosion3D © model then was applied on all vegetation patterns and degrees of cover.</p><p>Our results show an initial increase of soil erosion with increasing plant coverage within the catchment up to a certain cover threshold ranging between 10 and 40%. At larger vegetation cover soil erosion rates decline. The strength of increase and decline, as well as the cover-threshold is strongly conditioned by the spatial vegetation pattern. In the light of this, future research should pay particular attention to the properties of the plants and their distribution, not solely on the amount of biomass within catchment areas.</p>


2008 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1313-1313
Author(s):  
Alessandro Santini ◽  
Gerardo Severino

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