RT Journal Article
T1 Surviving the winds through pattern formation: mathematical modelling of heather stripes in Scotland
A1 Vignal, Toyo
A1 Baudena, Mara
A1 Sherratt, Jonathan
A1 García Mayor, Ángeles Pilar
AB Remarkable patterns of heather (Calluna vulgaris) and soil can be observed in some areas of Scotland. Bands of vegetation regularly alternate with bands of bare ground, with the whole pattern slowly moving in a direction perpendicular to the stripes. While previous studies have proposed that strong winds may play a role in shaping these patterns, the underlying mechanisms—particularly the initiation of the patterning—remain poorly understood.In this study, we develop a simple mathematical model based on two partial differential equations to capture local interactions between wind, soil and vegetation. Using dynamical systems theory and numerical simulations, we identify the conditions necessary for pattern formation and provide insight into how these patterns emerge and disappear. Furthermore, we derive a parametrisation, informed by existing literature, that produces results with realistic order of magnitude for pattern amplitude, wave length and travelling wave speed.Our model demonstrates that basic interactions between wind, soil and vegetation are sufficient to generate solutions consisting of moving bands of vegetation, closely resembling the observed real-world patterns.Our analysis reveals the role of Calluna vulgaris as an ecosystem engineer, facilitating its survival in harsh, wind-exposed environments by forming spatial patterns that extend its habitat range. Notably, our findings indicate that pattern onset does not require pre-existing soil patterning.Synthesis: Our results suggest that simple interactions between wind, soil and vegetation can drive the formation of periodic biogeomorphological patterns in wind-blasted ecosystems. This modelling approach has potential applications for understanding other ecosystems subject to strong winds and may contribute to conservation efforts for these sensitive habitats.
PB Wiley
SN 0022-0477
YR 2025
FD 2025-10
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/133973
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/133973
LA eng
NO Vignal, T., Baudena, M., Sherratt, J., & Mayor, A. G. (2025). Surviving the winds through pattern formation: Mathematical modelling of heather stripes in Scotland. Journal of Ecology, 113, 3510–3521. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.70170
NO Acknowledgements:T.V. was funded by UK Research and Innovation—Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UKRI EPSRC) grant EP/S023291/1; Heriot-Watt University; University of Edinburgh, and by the FY2024 JSPS postdoctoral fellowship PE24730. M.B. acknowledges the Italian National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC): National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.4 of the Italian Ministry of University and Research; funded by the European Union—NextGenerationEU (Project code CN_00000033). A.G.M. received funding from grant PID2023-148484OB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, EU.
NO European Commission
NO Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España)
NO Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España)
NO Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (United Kingdom)
NO Heriot-Watt University
NO University of Edinburgh
NO Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
NO Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca (Italia)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 30 mar 2026