A coupled map lattice model of the growth of plant monocultures

A coupled map lattice (CML) model is used to analyse the role of neighbourhood effects and competition on spatial patterns and size hierarchies in annual plant monocultures. The results are compared with those from a traditional model of circular zones, and show that the CML results are highly robust over a range of densities. Asymmetric competition is observed to give rise to increased size variability compared to symmetric competition. Spatial effects are concluded to be secondary to the degree of competitive asymmetry.