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Facilitation in drylands: Modeling a neglected driver of savanna dynamics

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  • Synodinos, Alexis D.
  • Tietjen, Britta
  • Jeltsch, Florian

Abstract

Our current understanding regarding the functioning of the savanna ecosystem describes savannas as either competition- or disturbance-dependent. Within this generalized view, the role and importance of facilitation have been mostly neglected. This study presents a mathematical model of savannas with coupled soil moisture–vegetation dynamics, which includes interspecific competition and environmental disturbance. We find that there exist environmental and climatic conditions where grass facilitation toward trees plays an important role in supporting tree cover and by extension preserving the savanna biome. We, therefore, argue that our theoretical results in combination with the first empirical studies on the subject should stimulate further research into the role of facilitation in the savanna ecosystem, particularly when analyzing the impact of past and projected climatic changes on it.

Suggested Citation

  • Synodinos, Alexis D. & Tietjen, Britta & Jeltsch, Florian, 2015. "Facilitation in drylands: Modeling a neglected driver of savanna dynamics," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 304(C), pages 11-21.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:304:y:2015:i:c:p:11-21
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2015.02.015
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    1. Mahesh Sankaran & Niall P. Hanan & Robert J. Scholes & Jayashree Ratnam & David J. Augustine & Brian S. Cade & Jacques Gignoux & Steven I. Higgins & Xavier Le Roux & Fulco Ludwig & Jonas Ardo & Feetha, 2005. "Determinants of woody cover in African savannas," Nature, Nature, vol. 438(7069), pages 846-849, December.
    2. Mellouli, H. J. & van Wesemael, B. & Poesen, J. & Hartmann, R., 2000. "Evaporation losses from bare soils as influenced by cultivation techniques in semi-arid regions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 42(3), pages 355-369, January.
    3. Steven I. Higgins & Simon Scheiter, 2012. "Atmospheric CO2 forces abrupt vegetation shifts locally, but not globally," Nature, Nature, vol. 488(7410), pages 209-212, August.
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