Periodic vegetation stripes in arid ecosystems 

Daniel Shvartsman

May 2nd, 2024 (Thursday) at 4pm - RH 440R

Abstract

Vegetation patterns have long been observed in arid ecosystems. In particular vegetation stripes on hillsides have been observed to travel uphill at a constant rate while maintaining their profile. In this talk we will discuss the Klausmeier model; a singularly perturbed reaction diffusion advection equation, as a mechanism to study these patterns. We show using geometric singular perturbation theory (GSPT), the existence of spatially periodic traveling wave solutions to this system. Next present intermediate results and plans to show spectral and nonlinear stability of such solutions. 

About the Speaker

Daniel Shvartsman is a 3rd year student of Paul Carter, working in dynamical systems.