In the dry regions of the world there is a puzzling and enigmatic phenomenon known as fairy circles. These peculiar geometric patterns consist of arid soil surrounded by rings of plant life, which extend across vast expanses of land. These circles involve numerous mysteries that attract the attention of the most curious.
In this article we are going to tell you what fairy circles are, their characteristics, origin, formation and much more.
Catching the fairy circles
The belief that these formations were limited to Namibia and Australia persisted for many years. However, recent research has revealed a new perspective on this phenomenon, demonstrating that its prevalence extends far beyond what was previously understood.
The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning Laboratory of the Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology (IRNAS) of the CSIC recently carried out a study, which was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), which reveals that fairy circles can be found beyond the two regions where they were initially observed.
Circular patterns have been detected in 263 desert areas across three continents, spanning more than 15 countries, using satellite imaging and artificial intelligence technologies. These diverse regions include the Sahel, Western Sahara, the Horn of Africa, Madagascar, Southwest Asia, and central Australia. To better understand these phenomena in different parts of the world, it is interesting to explore the namibian desert and its characteristics, where these can also be observed.
By employing AI-based models, researchers were able to thoroughly examine and categorize satellite images. Through this innovative approach, we were able to detect patterns that closely resemble fairy circles already documented in Namibia and Western Australia. The utilization of cutting-edge technology has revolutionized our understanding of how these patterns are distributed and how prevalent they really are.
How they are formed
Previously, examining the factors that led to the formation of circles was challenging due to their restricted geographical location. However, with the adoption of a comprehensive global perspective, it has become feasible to comprehensively analyze various variables. These variables cover climatic factors such as average annual precipitation and edaphic factors, which They pertain to the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil, such as nitrogen content. The research revealed that the presence of magic circles is linked to a specific combination of soil and climate characteristics.
In addition to investigating the formation of fairy circles, the researchers also examined the productivity of vegetation within these areas. They observed remarkable consistency in productivity, suggesting that these patterns may contribute to the provision of ecosystem services. This discovery paves the way for further exploration of the potential role of fairy circles as indicators of ecosystem decline in the face of climate change.
To further investigate this phenomenon, researchers have developed a comprehensive global atlas and extensive database documenting these patterns. These valuable resources offer great potential to assess the response of fairy circles to environmental perturbations and changes in climate, yielding crucial information on the resilience of arid ecosystems.
The enigma of the fairy circles has transcended its original geographical boundaries and has become a global enigma that leaves us with more questions than solutions. By utilizing advanced technology and a broader perspective, We are getting closer to deciphering this puzzling natural phenomenon that has confused humanity for countless generations.
Origin and patterns of fairy circles
The origin of this phenomenon is still unknown. Scattered across the arid grasslands of the Namibian desert, located between Angola and South Africa, are numerous and enigmatic circular spots. These peculiar bald spots, which measure between 2 and 12 meters in diameter, lack any trace of grass. However, an intriguing feature is the presence of a ring of lush vegetation surrounding many of these arid circles, forming a distinctive green crown that serves as a clear boundary for the dry region.
Toxic insects or weeds are being challenged by a team of scientists who are betting on self-organization, a biological process first introduced by Turing in 1952. This group, made up of researchers from Australia, Germany and Israel, discovered fairy circles . Circles in an ecosystem that is very similar to that of Namibia, despite being more than 10.000 kilometers from the African coast. His findings were published in PNAS.
In a notable new finding, recent research has uncovered an intriguing connection between enigmatic circles in the ground and the skin cells of zebrafish, also known as zebra danio. The resemblance is truly extraordinary, as noted Robert Sinclair, a mathematics professor at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology who participated in the study. These peculiar spots, which resemble miniature craters, not only exhibit a pattern similar to that of skin cells, but also go through a life cycle, including birth, growth and eventual demise. Besides, They are influenced by competition for resources within their environment.
By performing macroscopic examination of the fairy circle pattern and juxtaposing it with the scattering of skin cells, the researchers made a surprising revelation: the two showed remarkably analogous distributions. While the exact reason for this uncanny resemblance remains elusive, The mere fact that they have such a striking similarity has significant implications.
When they emerged, the circles already reached their final dimensions or experienced rapid expansion until they reached them. The smallest circles measure approximately two meters in diameter, while the largest extend up to twelve meters.
Some interesting details
After their formation, wind erosion gives rise to small indentations within the circles, some of which have now been reclaimed by plant life and are barely noticeable. Tschinkel used satellite images to determine the time it takes for the circles to progress from their formation to reaching the stage of maturity and disappearance, where vegetation once again takes hold.
The circles appear exclusively in areas with an abundance of fine sand or a lack of stones. However, they never appear on dunes or alluvial deposits, where the sand has been dragged and deposited by water.
Within these circles, grass does not flourish, however, several of them show a surrounding band of taller vegetation, which It resembles a green canopy that serves as a distinctive boundary for the arid area.