Nonlinear Physics of Ecosystems

Ehud Meron

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 1439826315 ISBN 13 : 9781439826317

Editeur : CRC Press, 2015

Présentation de l'éditeur :

Nonlinear Physics of Ecosystems introduces the concepts and tools of pattern formation theory and demonstrates their utility in ecological research using problems from spatial ecology. Written in language understandable to both physicists and ecologists in most parts, the book reveals the mechanisms of pattern formation and pattern dynamics. It also explores the implications of these mechanisms in important ecological problems.

The first part of the book gives an overview of pattern formation and spatial ecology, showing how these disparate research fields are strongly related to one another. The next part presents an advanced account of pattern formation theory. The final part describes applications of pattern formation theory to ecological problems, including self-organized vegetation patchiness, desertification, and biodiversity in changing environments.

Focusing on the emerging interface between spatial ecology and pattern formation, this book shows how pattern formation methods address a variety of ecological problems using water-limited ecosystems as a case study. Readers with basic knowledge of linear algebra and ordinary differential equations will develop a general understanding of pattern formation theory while more advanced readers who are familiar with partial differential equations will appreciate the descriptions of analytical tools used to study pattern formation and dynamics.

Présentation de l'éditeur :

Providing an integrative treatment of nonlinear physics and applications in ecology, this text introduces the basic concepts, tools, and applications to important problems in ecology. It exposes readers to the new emerging research field that integrates pattern formation and spatial ecology. The book supplies a detailed overview of pattern formation theory as applied to spatial aspects of landscape, community, and ecosystem ecology. The author also covers state-of-the-art applications in ecology research, from modeling water-limited plant communities to studies in biodiversity, resource patterns, and ecosystem engineering.