  In this paper, we study theoretically the emergence of localized states of
vegetation close to the onset of desertification. These states are formed
through the locking of vegetation fronts, connecting a uniform vegetation state
with a bare soil state, which occurs nearby the Maxwell point of the system. To
study these structures we consider a universal model of vegetation dynamics in
drylands, which has been obtained as the normal form for different vegetation
models. Close to the Maxwell point localized gaps and spots of vegetation exist
and undergo collapsed snaking. The presence of gaps strongly suggest that the
ecosystem may undergo a recovering process. In contrast, the presence of spots
may indicate that the ecosystem is close to desertification.
