Aggregation of an individual-based space-dependent model of forest dynamics into distribution-based and space-independent models
Authored by N Picard, A Franc
Date Published: 2001
DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3800(01)00380-5
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Abstract
A question addressed in forest modelling is: which level of detail is
required to reproduce the ecosystem function? In this paper four
versions of the same model of a natural rain-forest are compared. The
most detailed is an individual-based distance-dependent model, where
every individual is described and interacts with other trees through a
spatially explicit neighbourhood. Performing aggregation on the stand
description yields a distribution-based distance-dependent model.
Applying the mean field approximation brings two distance-dependent
models. Three of the four models appear to predict the same stationary
state in the limit where the number of trees is infinite
(individual-based distance-independent + distribution-based models). The
individual-based distance-dependent model differs because of the
occurrence of space-dependent effects. An alternative aggregation method
based on moment equations is then suggested to render the
space-dependent effects. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights
reserved.
Tags
Competition
Simulation
growth
Size distribution
Populations
Trees
Moment equations