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Diversity of Vegetation Patterns and Desertification

J. von Hardenberg, E. Meron, M. Shachak, and Y. Zarmi
Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 198101 – Published 18 October 2001
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Abstract

A new model for vegetation patterns is introduced. The model reproduces a wide range of patterns observed in water-limited regions, including drifting bands, spots, and labyrinths. It predicts transitions from bare soil at low precipitation to homogeneous vegetation at high precipitation, through intermediate states of spot, stripe, and hole patterns. It also predicts wide precipitation ranges where different stable states coexist. Using these predictions we propose a novel explanation of desertification phenomena and a new approach to classifying aridity.

  • Received 29 May 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.198101

©2001 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

J. von Hardenberg1,4, E. Meron1,3, M. Shachak2, and Y. Zarmi1,3

  • 1Department of Solar Energy and Environmental Physics, BIDR, Ben Gurion University, Sede Boker Campus 84990, Israel
  • 2Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, BIDR, Ben Gurion University, Sede Boker Campus 84990, Israel
  • 3Department of Physics, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
  • 4Institute for Scientific Interchange, Viale Settimio Severo 65, 10133 Torino, Italy

See Also

Patterns of Green in the Desert Brown

Rob van den Berg
Phys. Rev. Focus 8, 24 (2001)

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Issue

Vol. 87, Iss. 19 — 5 November 2001

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