TY - JOUR
T1 - Bimodality of woody cover and biomass in semi-arid regime
AU - Yin, Z.
AU - Dekker, S. C.
AU - van den Hurk, B. J. J. M.
AU - Dijkstra, H. A.
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - Multiple states of woody cover under similar climate conditions are
found in both conceptual models and observations. Due to the limitation
of the observed woody cover data set, it is unclear whether the observed
bimodality is caused by the presence of multiple stable states or is due
to dynamic growth processes of vegetation. In this study, we combine a
woody cover data set with an above ground biomass data set to
investigate the simultaneous occurrences of savanna and forest states
under different precipitation forcing. To interpret the results we use a
recently developed vegetation dynamics model (the Balanced Optimality
Structure Vegetation Model), in which the effect of fires is included.
Our results show that bimodality also exists in above ground biomass and
retrieved vegetation structure. In addition, the observed savanna
distribution can be understood as derived from a stable state and a
slightly drifting (transient) state, the latter having the potential to
shift to the forest state. Finally, the results indicate that vegetation
structure (horizontal vs. vertical leaf extent) is a crucial component
for the existence of bimodality.
AB - Multiple states of woody cover under similar climate conditions are
found in both conceptual models and observations. Due to the limitation
of the observed woody cover data set, it is unclear whether the observed
bimodality is caused by the presence of multiple stable states or is due
to dynamic growth processes of vegetation. In this study, we combine a
woody cover data set with an above ground biomass data set to
investigate the simultaneous occurrences of savanna and forest states
under different precipitation forcing. To interpret the results we use a
recently developed vegetation dynamics model (the Balanced Optimality
Structure Vegetation Model), in which the effect of fires is included.
Our results show that bimodality also exists in above ground biomass and
retrieved vegetation structure. In addition, the observed savanna
distribution can be understood as derived from a stable state and a
slightly drifting (transient) state, the latter having the potential to
shift to the forest state. Finally, the results indicate that vegetation
structure (horizontal vs. vertical leaf extent) is a crucial component
for the existence of bimodality.
U2 - 10.5194/esdd-5-83-2014
DO - 10.5194/esdd-5-83-2014
M3 - Article
SN - 2190-4995
VL - 5
SP - 83
EP - 120
JO - Earth System Dynamics Discussions
JF - Earth System Dynamics Discussions
IS - 1
ER -