Fairy circle (arid grass formation): Difference between revisions
AndrewBolt (talk | contribs) Cite paper claiming research started in 1971; change stated duration from 25 yrs to 40 yrs. |
AndrewBolt (talk | contribs) Edit to clarify that the cited Wired article from 2012 throws doubt onto the earlier belief that circles were permanent. |
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In the oral myths of the [[Himba]] people these barren patches are said to have been caused by the gods, spirits and/or natural divinities. The region's [[bushmen]] have traditionally ascribed spiritual and magical powers to them.<ref name="Telegraph"/> |
In the oral myths of the [[Himba]] people these barren patches are said to have been caused by the gods, spirits and/or natural divinities. The region's [[bushmen]] have traditionally ascribed spiritual and magical powers to them.<ref name="Telegraph"/> |
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The circles are to be found about 100 miles inland, in a band stretching 1,500 miles south from Angola. The territory is among the most remote and inhospitable on the planet, which may explain why so little scientific research has been done on the rings. |
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Some studies have come up with a possible explanation to why these fairy circles are appearing; researchers have found out that there is a possible toxin left by poisonous plants that has caused the plant seed destruction. But experiments conducted thus far have failed to produce any evidence that supports this hypothesis. |
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| ⚫ | The circles were believed to be permanent: some had been found to have remained on the same spot for 22 years. However studies done by South African scientists shows that these circles are under continuous development, with an estimated life-span of 30 to 60 years. They grow, ranging from 2 to 12 meters in diameter,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/06/fairy-circles-grass |title=Mysterious Fairy Circles Are ‘Alive’ |author=Nuwer, Rachel |date=28 June 2012 |accessdate=30 June 2012 }}</ref> where they mature and "die", filled in by invasive [[grass]]es.<ref name="Enigmatic"/> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 23:09, 9 January 2013
Fairy circles are circular barren patches of land, typically found in the grasslands of the western part of Southern Africa. Their size varies between 2 and 15 meters in diameter. The phenomenon has not yet been fully explained despite 40 years of research.[1][2]
They are most prolific in Namibia, but are also present in Angola and South Africa.[3] These fairy circles consist of round areas barren of vegetation amidst monospecific grassy vegetation (in Namibia of the genus Stipagrostis). As yet there is no clear picture as to how they are formed, although scientists are researching the matter.
One theory suggests the termite species Baucaliotermes hainsei and Psammotermes allocerus as the creator of these circles. All rings have been found to contain termite casts, and radar investigations suggest that a moister layer of soil is situated beneath the fairy circles.[4] Recent studies have stated that there is no evidence termites would cause this phenomenon.[citation needed]
In the oral myths of the Himba people these barren patches are said to have been caused by the gods, spirits and/or natural divinities. The region's bushmen have traditionally ascribed spiritual and magical powers to them.[2]
The circles are to be found about 100 miles inland, in a band stretching 1,500 miles south from Angola. The territory is among the most remote and inhospitable on the planet, which may explain why so little scientific research has been done on the rings.
Some studies have come up with a possible explanation to why these fairy circles are appearing; researchers have found out that there is a possible toxin left by poisonous plants that has caused the plant seed destruction. But experiments conducted thus far have failed to produce any evidence that supports this hypothesis.
The circles were believed to be permanent: some had been found to have remained on the same spot for 22 years. However studies done by South African scientists shows that these circles are under continuous development, with an estimated life-span of 30 to 60 years. They grow, ranging from 2 to 12 meters in diameter,[5] where they mature and "die", filled in by invasive grasses.[4]
See also
References
- ^ Investigation on selected biotic and abiotic factors in the maintenance of "fairy circles" (barren patches) in Southern Africa
- ^ a b 'Fairy circles' of Africa baffle scientists - Telegraph
- ^ BBC News - Enigma of Namibia's 'fairy circles'
- ^ a b Njuguna, Wanja (27 November 2012). "Fairy rings – enigmatic features of Namibia". The Namibian.
- ^ Nuwer, Rachel (28 June 2012). "Mysterious Fairy Circles Are 'Alive'". Retrieved 30 June 2012.
Further reading
- BBC NEWS | Africa | Enigma of Namibia's 'fairy circles'
- Fairy circles - Namibia, South Africa
- 'Fairy circles' of Africa baffle scientists
- Scientist uses satellites to examine circles in African desert
- PLoS ONE: The Life Cycle and Life Span of Namibian Fairy Circles
External links
Media related to Fairy circles at Wikimedia Commons
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