Graph algebras and graph varieties

Graph algebras establish a connection between graphs (i.e. binary relations) and universal algebras. A structure theorem of Birkhoff-type is given which characterizes graph varieties, i.e. classes of graphs which can be defined by identities for their corresponding graph algebras: A class of finite directed graphs without multiple edges is a graph variety iff it is closed with respect to finite restricted pointed subproducts and isomorphic copies. Several applications are given, e.g., every loopless finite directed graph is an induced subgraph of a direct power of a graph with three vertices. Graphs with bounded chromatic number or density form graph varieties characterizable by identities of special kind.Presented by R. W. Quackenbush.