Observation and modelling of vegetation spirals and arcs in isotropic environmental conditions: dissipative structures in arid landscapes - Université de Montpellier Accéder directement au contenu
Article Dans Une Revue Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences Année : 2018

Observation and modelling of vegetation spirals and arcs in isotropic environmental conditions: dissipative structures in arid landscapes

Résumé

We report for the first time on the formation of spirals like vegetation patterns in isotropic and uniform environmental conditions. The vegetation spirals are not waves and they do not rotate. They belong to the class of dissipative structures found out of equilibrium. Isolated or interacting spirals and arcs observed in South America (Bolivia) and North Africa (Morocco) are interpreted as a result of curvature instability that affects the circular shape of localized patches. The biomass exhibits a dynamical behaviour with arcs that transform into spirals. Interpretation of observations and of the predictions provided by the theory is illustrated by recent measurements of peculiar plant morphology (the alfa plant, or Stipa tenacissima L.) originated from northwestern Africa and the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Dissipative structures in matter out of equilibrium: from chemistry, photonics and biology (part 2).

Dates et versions

hal-02188513 , version 1 (18-07-2019)

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Citer

M. Tlidi, M. Clerc, D. Escaff, Pierre Couteron, M. Messaoudi, et al.. Observation and modelling of vegetation spirals and arcs in isotropic environmental conditions: dissipative structures in arid landscapes. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 2018, Theme issue ‘Dissipative structures in matter out of equilibrium: from chemistry, photonics and biology (part 2)’ compiled and edited by Mustapha Tlidi, Marcel Clerc and Krassimir Panajotov, 376 (2135), pp.20180026. ⟨10.1098/rsta.2018.0026⟩. ⟨hal-02188513⟩
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