An approach for modelling the effects of changes in hydrological environmental variables on tropical primary forest vegetation

摘要: Summary Theories that explain the dynamics of ecological communities are still in developing stage. Yet, practical problems arise where effects man-made alterations hydrological environment on need to be known. The processes involved such cases usually poorly understood and long term data information also limited. This study introduced a vegetation model taken from field ecology for purpose addressing issues specifically link environmental variables with changes vegetation. was motivated by recent findings species – habitat associations distributions gradients. investigation applied tropical primary forests. chosen is more general yet simple formulation making top-down analysis system possible thereby reducing requirement computational complexity. modified suit forest modelling gave analytical solutions steady states. demonstrated how or available can incorporated produce useful qualitatively appreciable results, without requiring detailed understanding comprehensive records. two forests; Sinharaja plot (FDP) Sri Lanka Nee Soon freshwater swamp Singapore effect change studied. shown able qualitative results.