Journal
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
Volume 42, Issue 19, Pages 8021-8030Publisher
AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION
DOI: 10.1002/2015GL065688
Keywords
ecomorphodynamics; state-dependent dichotomous noise; riparian vegetation; ecosystem engineers
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Riparian ecosystems exhibit complex biotic and abiotic dynamics, where the triad vegetation-sediments-stream determines the ecogeomorphological features of the river landscape. Random fluctuations of the water stage are a key trait of this triad, and a number of behaviors of the fluvial environment can be understood only taking into consideration the role of noise. In order to elucidate how randomness shape riparian transects, a stochastic model that takes into account the main links between vegetation, sediments, and the stream is adopted, emphasizing the capability of vegetation to alter the plot topography. A minimalistic approach is pursued, and the probability density function of vegetation biomass is analytically evaluated in any transect plot. This probability density function strongly depends on the vegetation-topography feedback. We demonstrate how the vegetation-induced modifications of the bed topography create more suitable conditions for the survival of vegetation in a stochastically dominated environment.
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