Vegetation Front Dynamics

Abstract

[eng] Nowadays marine ecosystems are being threatened due to climate change, water pollution, coastal tourism and many other issues caused by human activities. Seagrasses are one of the most injured specie, with losses surpassing 30% during the last 50 years. In this thesis we study the dynamics governing the growth and evolution of one of these species, the Posidonia oceanica, which is the most predominant in the Mediterranean sea. Side-scan images show evidences of the typical clonal plant behaviour in which the vegetation develops spatial patterns in order to achieve an optimal distribution of the resources. Using a simple model we study these structures by numerical simulations in one and two dimensions. During the thesis we focus on the different front dynamics in order to understand how the different spatial distribution domains encompassing the meadow behave when they are confronted. Knowledge on front dynamics and under which conditions the different patterns appear provide the required tools to predict the growth and evolution of seagrass meadows