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Biogenic crust dynamics on sand dunes

Shai Kinast1, Ehud Meron1,2, Hezi Yizhaq1, and Yosef Ashkenazy1

  • 1Department of Solar Energy and Environmental Physics, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus 84990, Israel
  • 2Physics Department, Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel

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Phys. Rev. E 87, 020701(R) – Published 25 February, 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.87.020701

Abstract

Sand dunes are often covered by vegetation and biogenic crusts. Despite their significant role in dune stabilization, biogenic crusts have rarely been considered in model studies of dune dynamics. Using a simple model, we study the existence and stability ranges of different dune-cover states along gradients of rainfall and wind power. Two ranges of alternative stable states are identified: fixed crusted dunes and fixed vegetated dunes at low wind power; and fixed vegetated dunes and active dunes at high wind power. These results suggest a crossover between two different forms of desertification.

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Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. E 87, 020701(R)– Published 25 February, 2013
  • Received 5 July 2012

©2013 American Physical Society

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