Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/343
Title: | Spatial Heterogeneity and Irreversible Vegetation Change in Semiarid Grazing Systems | Contributor(s): | va de Koppel, J (author); Rietkerk, M (author); Stroosnijder, L (author); Prins, H (author); van Langevelde, F (author); Kumar, L (author)![]() |
Publication Date: | 2002 | DOI: | 10.1086/324791 | Handle Link: | https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/343 | Abstract: | Recent theoretical studies have shown that spatial redistribution of surface water may explain the occurrence of patterns of alternating vegetated and degraded patches in semiarid grasslands. These results implied, however, that spatial redistribution processes cannot explain the collapse of production on coarser scales observed in these systems. We present a spatially explicit vegetation model to investigate possible mechanisms explaining irreversible vegetation collapse on coarse spatial scales. The model results indicate that the dynamics of vegetation on coarse scales are determined by the interaction of two spatial feedback processes. Loss of plant cover in a certain area results in increased availability of water in remaining vegetated patches through run-on of surface water, promoting within-patch plant production. Hence, spatial redistribution of surface water creates negative feedback between reduced plant cover and increased plant growth in remaining vegetation. Reduced plant cover, however, results in focusing of herbivore grazing in the remaining vegetation. Hence, redistribution of herbivores creates positive feedback between reduced plant cover and increased losses due to grazing in remaining vegetated patches, leading to collapse of the entire vegetation. This may explain irreversible vegetation shifts in semiarid grasslands on coarse spatial scales. | Publication Type: | Journal Article | Source of Publication: | The American Naturalist, 159(2), p. 209-218 | Publisher: | University of Chicago Press | Place of Publication: | United States of America | ISSN: | 1537-5323 0003-0147 |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: | 050205 Environmental Management | Peer Reviewed: | Yes | HERDC Category Description: | C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal |
---|---|
Appears in Collections: | Journal Article |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format |
---|
SCOPUSTM
Citations
154
checked on Aug 24, 2024
Page view(s)
1,438
checked on Feb 25, 2024
Items in Research UNE are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.