A COUPLED MAP LATTICE MODEL OF THE GROWTH OF PLANT MONOCULTURES

A coupled map lattice (CML) model is used to analyse the role of neigh bourhood effects and competition on spatial patterns and size hierarch ies in annual plant monocultures. The results are compared with those from a traditional model of circular zones, and show that the CML resu lts are highly robust over a range of densities. Asymmetric competitio n is observed to give rise to increased size variability compared to s ymmetric competition. Spatial effects are concluded to be secondary to the degree of competitive asymmetry.