DUGi

A Pair-Approximation Model for Spatial Patterns in Tree Populations with Asymmetrical Resource Competition

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A pair-approximation model for the spatial dynamics of a height-structured tree population is defined on a regular lattice where each site can be in 1 of 3 states: empty (gap site), occupied by an immature tree, and occupied by a mature tree. The nonlinearities are associated with resource competition effects of mature trees on immature ones (asymmetric competition) affecting the mortality of the latter but not their growth. The survival-extinction transition of the forest is expressed; the early dynamics of colonization are described in terms of local densities. Predictions of the pair-approximation model are compared with results from numerical simulations of cellular automata

The authors thank two anonymous referees for their comments. This work was partially supported by the research projects MTM2008-06349-C03-02 (J.L.G-D, J.S.) and MTM2011-27739-C04-03 (J.S.) of the Spanish government and 2009SGR-345 of the Generalitat de Catalunya (J.S.)

Taylor and Francis