Ecological field theory: A spatial analysis of resource interference among plants

• Published in: Ecological modelling 1985-01, Vol.29 (1), p.215-243
• Main Authors: Wu, Hsin-I, Sharpe, Peter J.H., Walker, Joe, Penridge, Les K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: competition; ecology; Eucalyptus populnea; interspecific relationships; light; markov processes; mathematical models; nutrients; plant communities; plant competition; plant ecology; plant interaction; resource availability; semiarid zones; spatial distribution; water; woodlands
• ISSN: 0304-3800; 1872-7026
• DOI: 10.1016/0304-3800(85)90054-7

Classical field theory studies interaction at a distance. In this study, interactions among neighboring plants located at a distance from each other have been simulated using an approach termed ‘ecological field theory’. Such an approach requires simplifying and redefining biological terms appropriate to ecological field theory concepts, particularly interference and interference potential. Interference is the influence of a plant upon its neighbors' environment through resource competition or less direct interaction. Interference potential is the interference that a newly germinated seedling must overcome to establish itself and subsequently grow at a given site within the influence of all neighboring plants. It is calculated in terms of the effect of their crowns, stems and roots upon the spatial distribution of water, nutrients and light. A continuous-time Markov technique is used to integrate spatial variability in water, light and nutrients into a quantitative estimate of interference potential. These concepts are applied to interference potential in a semi-arid woodland community.