Namibia's mysterious fairy circles

In Namibia, thousands of perfectly round patches of bare soil appear among golden grasslands. These formations, called fairy circles, have puzzled scientists for decades, sparking ongoing debates about their origins.

Termites as potential architects

Norbert Jürgens, a researcher at the University of Hamburg, has long argued that sand termites create the circles. He and his team found sand termites on over 1,700 fairy circles across three countries. According to Jürgens, the insects dig underground tunnels and eat surrounding grass roots, forming water reservoirs that protect their colonies.

Plants as self-organizing forces

Stephan Getzin offers an alternative view. His 2022 study found that grasses inside the circles die rapidly after rain, while those outside stay green. Getzin suggests that root competition among plants leads to the central grasses dying due to limited water in poor soil.

Soil analysis adds complexity

A 2025 study in PLoS One found that the centers of fairy circles have soil low in organic matter and nearly no animal life. Only a type of nematode, Acrobeloides, is overrepresented, hinting at a possible link to termites or ants.

Combining theories for better understanding

Researchers are increasingly considering a mix of both theories. Termites may create large-scale patterns through underground water storage, while root competition explains the lack of vegetation at the center of each circle. This combined model better explains field observations, such as the concentration of fairy circles in specific climate zones.

Water balance plays a key role

Getzin’s research in Landscape Ecology showed that after heavy rains, many fairy circles regrew vegetation, suggesting water availability, not just insects, is critical. This challenges the idea that termites alone are responsible for the phenomenon.

Global patterns suggest broader relevance

A 2023 study by Emilio Guirado found similar circular patterns in 263 arid regions worldwide. This indicates that the mechanisms behind fairy circles may be more widespread, pointing to a universal process of plant self-organization in dry environments.