Abstract
Space needs to be taken into account in vegetation dynamics models which deal with heterogeneous systems. Most landscapes, at a given scale, are mosaics of relatively homogeneous patches. Some patches act as sources of energy, matter or individuals, others as sinks. The dynamics of each patch depends partly on the flows which relate it to its neighbours. Simulating the functioning of these systems lead to combine, in the same model, within-patch dynamics, ecotone dynamics, and the interactions between patches and flows. The model TLALOC uses these principles to simulate the dynamics of a two-patch system from an arid zone which clearly depend on surface water flows. In each m 2 of a transect perpendicular to an ecotone, both functional (water and carbon budgets) and dynamics processes (recruitment and survival) were simulated. Despite the simplifications, it satisfactorily modelled the functioning of the studied vegetation. It highlighted the importance of considering various temporal and spatial scales and the possible consequences of including the studied transect in an even larger landscape.
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