Mechanisms of Patch Formation
Many mechanisms both physical (e.g., light, temperature, ocean currents, density gradients, topography) and biological (e.g., allelopathy, competition, predation, selective foraging) are considered responsible for patch formation. Wiens (1976) presented an excellent review of population responses to...
Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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Format: | Book Part |
Language: | unknown |
Published: |
Digital Commons @ University of South Florida
1993
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/msc_facpub/833 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-50155-5 |
Summary: | Many mechanisms both physical (e.g., light, temperature, ocean currents, density gradients, topography) and biological (e.g., allelopathy, competition, predation, selective foraging) are considered responsible for patch formation. Wiens (1976) presented an excellent review of population responses to environmental patchiness. He identified localized random disturbances (e.g., fire, erosion, tree windfalls), predation, selective herbivory, and vegetational patterns as potential causes of patch formation. Roughgarden (1977) discussed five general mechanisms that are responsible for patchiness: resource distribution, dispersal, aggregation behavior, competition, and reaction-diffusion. |
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