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Simulation of observed types of dynamics of plants and plant communities
Author(s) -
Gassmann Fritz,
Klötzli Frank,
Walther GianReto
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1654-1103
pISSN - 1100-9233
DOI - 10.2307/3236632
Subject(s) - predictability , dominance (genetics) , constant (computer programming) , ecology , statistical physics , cellular automaton , plant community , dynamics (music) , key (lock) , determinism , computer science , mathematics , biology , physics , statistics , artificial intelligence , ecological succession , acoustics , biochemistry , quantum mechanics , gene , programming language
. Observations of different plant communities over several decades reveal five types of dynamics: constant, fluctuating, growing, decaying, intermittent. With a modelling approach based on interacting particle systems (cellular automata), these distinct types of dynamics can be simulated. In addition, the proposed model shows a strong tendency towards the formation of patches when started with random initial conditions. Further, it gives evidence for dominance resulting from the interplay of plant characteristics and patterns rather than being attributable to certain plant types alone, so making questionable the existence of key species and the usefulness of a constant mapping key over extended periods. The presented model unifies the fundamental dichotomy in vegetation dynamics between determinism (predictability) and disorder (chance effects) by showing the outcome of both classical theories as special cases.