DISPERSAL AND COMPETITION MODELS FOR PLANTS

New models for seed dispersal and competition between plant species ar e formulated and analyzed. The models are integrodifference equations, discrete in time and continuous in space, and have applications to an nual and perennial species. The spread or invasion of a single plant s pecies into a geographic region is investigated by studying the travel ling wave solutions of these equations. Travelling wave solutions are shown to exist in the single-species models and are compared numerical ly. The asymptotic wave speed is calculated for various parameter valu es. The single-species integrodifference equations are extended to a m odel for two competing annual plants. Competition in the two-species m odel is based on a difference equation model developed by Fakes and Ma iler [26]. The two-species model with competition and dispersal yields a system of integrodifference equations. The effects of competition o n the travelling wave solutions of invading plant species is investiga ted numerically.