A MINIMAL MODEL OF INTERACTION BETWEEN CLIMATE AND VEGETATION - QUALITATIVE APPROACH

A so-called ''minimal model'' is presented for the qualitative descrip tion of the interaction between climate and vegetation. Such conceptua l simple models are important to give a better understanding of the fu ndamental feedback mechanisms acting between geo- and biosphere. This spatially one-dimensional model is analyzed in respect to the uniform biosphere and the existence of possible diffusive instabilities. It is proved that there do not exist any non-uniform equilibrium solutions, but the evolution of non-uniform initial perturbations is quite inter esting: depending on the spatial form of the perturbations propagating non-linear waves are observed.