South Africa scientists ‘solve’ fairy-circle mystery

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South Africa scientists ‘solve’ fairy-circle mystery

10:00 CAT | 19 Feb 2021

Namibia's Namib-Naukluft Park is among the paces where "fairy circles" have been found. [Photo: Getty]

Researchers from South Africa’s University of Pretoria say they have evidence that the sap from a plant known as milk bush is responsible for creating patches of bare ground across the desert.

Thousands of these patches of ground, nicknamed fairy circles, appear across southern Africa – a phenomenon that has perplexed scientists for decades.

Previous theories about the cause of the bare patches of land included UFOs, toxic gases rising from below, ostriches and sand termites.

Marion Meyer, a professor of plant chemistry, told the BBC’s Newsday programme that his researchers had found that when the milk bush – also known as euphorbia – dies, it kills the important bacteria in the ground.

In addition he said the sap clings on to sand particles, making them water repellent. This means that, when there is a lot of sandy soil and only limited rainfall, plants cannot get the water they need to survive.

The question his researchers are yet to answer is what causes the euphorbia plant to die.

“Is it natural climate change previously, hundreds of years ago, and enhanced now by our new enhancement in temperatures and changes in rainfalls?” he asked.

Source: BBC