Nonlinear Physics of Ecosystems

Nonlinear Physics of Ecosystems introduces the concepts and tools of pattern formation theory and demonstrates their utility in ecological research using problems from spatial ecology. Written in language understandable to both physicists and ecologists in most parts, the book reveals the mechanisms of pattern formation and pattern dynamics. It als

Table of Contents:
Introduction. OVERVIEW: Spatial Self-Organization. Spatial Ecology. Modeling Ecosystems. PATTERN FORMATION THEORY: Pattern Formation Analysis: Basic Methods. Pattern Formation Analysis: Advanced Methods. Basic Mechanisms of Pattern Formation. External Modulations of Pattern Forming Systems. APPLICATIONS TO ECOLOGY: Modeling Water-Limited Vegetation. Vegetation Pattern Formation. Regime Shifts and Desertification. Species Coexistence and Diversity in Plant Communities. Bibliography. Index.

About the Author :
Ehud Meron is a professor of physics in the Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research and the Physics Department at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. His research interests include nonlinear dynamics and pattern formation theory with applications to fluid dynamics and chemical reactions, modeling complex systems, and spatial ecology with a focus on desertification and biodiversity dynamics. Professor Meron's recent work has involved collaborating with ecologists in an effort to assimilate the concepts of pattern-formation theory into ecological research.

Review :
"... a much-needed contemporary perspective ... unfolds the origin of coherency of spatial patterning in one of the most significant biological systems the human population depends on-arid and semiarid climates." -Gabriel G. Katul, Professor of Hydrology and Micrometeorology, Duke University "The science of pattern formation reaches dazzling new heights as physicist Ehud Meron explains to us the nonlinear spatial dynamics of complex ecological systems. This is the definitive textbook on the subject as written by one of the key pioneers in the field. No other book comes close to showing the power of modern theoretical physics for solving real in-depth problems in ecology. Step by step, carefully formulated model equations are developed for dealing with advanced ecological topics, such as water-limited desert vegetation systems, soil-water diffusion, root-augmentation, plants as ecosystem engineers, reversing desertification, and species coexistence and diversity. ... a huge achievement." -Professor Lewi Stone, Biomathematics Unit, Tel Aviv University "An important and timely book that shows the generality and power of the pattern formation paradigm and its wide applicability to diverse natural systems." -Stephen Morris, J. Tuzo Wilson Professor of Geophysics, University of Toronto "An authoritative account of the state of the art in ecological patterning." -Jonathan A. Sherratt, Professor of Mathematics, Heriot-Watt University "... a major and unique contribution to the mathematics and physics of ecosystems. ... It should become a major reference. I am very pleased to endorse this book." -Roger Temam, Distinguished Professor, Institute for Scientific Computing and Applied Mathematics, Indiana University "... an excellent and important read on the rapidly emerging field of integrating pattern formation theory with spatial ecology, with real-world applications and implications." -Prof. dr. ir. M. Rietkerk, Utrecht University "... addresses a critical need and should quickly become a favorite of both beginning students and senior practitioners ... ." -Herbert Levine, Hasselmann Professor of Bioengineering and Director of the Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University