Noise-induced stability in dryland plant ecosystems

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Aug 2;102(31):10819-22. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0502884102. Epub 2005 Jul 25.

Abstract

Dryland plant ecosystems tend to exhibit bistable dynamics with two preferential configurations of bare and vegetated soils. Climate fluctuations are usually believed to act as a source of disturbance on these ecosystems and to reduce their stability and resilience. In contrast, this work shows that random interannual fluctuations of precipitation may lead to the emergence of an intermediate statistically stable condition between the two stable states of the deterministic dynamics of vegetation. As a result, there is an enhancement of ecosystem resilience and a decrease in the likelihood of catastrophic shifts to the desert state.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biometry
  • Climate*
  • Ecosystem*
  • Feedback
  • Plants*
  • Rain
  • Soil

Substances

  • Soil