Biogenic crust dynamics on sand dunes

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2013 Feb;87(2):020701. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.87.020701. Epub 2013 Feb 25.

Abstract

Sand dunes are often covered by vegetation and biogenic crusts. Despite their significant role in dune stabilization, biogenic crusts have rarely been considered in model studies of dune dynamics. Using a simple model, we study the existence and stability ranges of different dune-cover states along gradients of rainfall and wind power. Two ranges of alternative stable states are identified: fixed crusted dunes and fixed vegetated dunes at low wind power; and fixed vegetated dunes and active dunes at high wind power. These results suggest a crossover between two different forms of desertification.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Colloids / chemistry*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Desert Climate*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Plants / chemistry*
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry*

Substances

  • Colloids
  • Silicon Dioxide