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A theoretical foundation for multi-scale regular vegetation patterns

Author

Listed:
  • Corina E. Tarnita

    (Princeton University
    Mpala Research Center)

  • Juan A. Bonachela

    (Marine Population Modelling Group, University of Strathclyde)

  • Efrat Sheffer

    (The Robert H. Smith Institute for Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Faculty of Agriculture, Hebrew University of Jerusalem)

  • Jennifer A. Guyton

    (Princeton University)

  • Tyler C. Coverdale

    (Princeton University)

  • Ryan A. Long

    (University of Idaho)

  • Robert M. Pringle

    (Princeton University
    Mpala Research Center)

Abstract

Empirically validated mathematical models show that a combination of intraspecific competition between subterranean social-insect colonies and scale-dependent feedbacks between plants can explain the spatially periodic vegetation patterns observed in many landscapes, such as the Namib Desert ‘fairy circles’.

Suggested Citation

  • Corina E. Tarnita & Juan A. Bonachela & Efrat Sheffer & Jennifer A. Guyton & Tyler C. Coverdale & Ryan A. Long & Robert M. Pringle, 2017. "A theoretical foundation for multi-scale regular vegetation patterns," Nature, Nature, vol. 541(7637), pages 398-401, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:541:y:2017:i:7637:d:10.1038_nature20801
    DOI: 10.1038/nature20801
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yang, Junxiang & Kim, Junseok, 2023. "Computer simulation of the nonhomogeneous zebra pattern formation using a mathematical model with space-dependent parameters," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    2. Vilas, Maria P. & Adams, Matthew P. & Oldham, Carolyn E. & Marti, Clelia L. & Hipsey, Matthew R., 2017. "Fragment dispersal and plant-induced dieback explain irregular ring-shaped pattern formation in a clonal submerged macrophyte," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 363(C), pages 111-121.
    3. Hezi Yizhaq & Constantin Rein & Lior Saban & Noa Cohen & Klaus Kroy & Itzhak Katra, 2024. "Aeolian Sand Sorting and Soil Moisture in Arid Namibian Fairy Circles," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-14, February.
    4. Liang, Juan & Liu, Chen & Sun, Gui-Quan & Li, Li & Zhang, Lai & Hou, Meiting & Wang, Hao & Wang, Zhen, 2022. "Nonlocal interactions between vegetation induce spatial patterning," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 428(C).
    5. Franco, Rebeca & Morales, Marco A. & Rodríguez-Mora, J.Isrrael & Agustín-Serrano, Ricardo, 2024. "A new reaction-diffusion-advection model with long-range inhibition for vegetation-desertification pattern-formation as a unified approach," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 492(C).
    6. Roeland C. van de Vijsel & Jim van Belzen & Tjeerd J. Bouma & Daphne van der Wal & Bas W. Borsje & Stijn Temmerman & Loreta Cornacchia & Olivier Gourgue & Johan van de Koppel, 2023. "Vegetation controls on channel network complexity in coastal wetlands," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    7. Cisternas, Jaime & Escaff, Daniel & Clerc, Marcel G. & Lefever, René & Tlidi, Mustapha, 2020. "Gapped vegetation patterns: Crown/root allometry and snaking bifurcation," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    8. Ehud Meron & Jamie J. R. Bennett & Cristian Fernandez-Oto & Omer Tzuk & Yuval R. Zelnik & Gideon Grafi, 2019. "Continuum Modeling of Discrete Plant Communities: Why Does It Work and Why Is It Advantageous?," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 7(10), pages 1-22, October.
    9. Martinez-Garcia, Ricardo & Cabal, Ciro & Calabrese, Justin M. & Hernández-García, Emilio & Tarnita, Corina E. & López, Cristóbal & Bonachela, Juan A., 2023. "Integrating theory and experiments to link local mechanisms and ecosystem-level consequences of vegetation patterns in drylands," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    10. Liu, Chen & Li, Li & Wang, Zhen & Wang, Ruiwu, 2019. "Pattern transitions in a vegetation system with cross-diffusion," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 342(C), pages 255-262.

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