# Vegetation Pattern Formation in Drylands

## TL;DR

This chapter reviews mathematical models and observational studies of dryland vegetation pattern formation, emphasizing the integration of remote sensing data and the challenges of modeling across large spatial and temporal scales.

## Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of conceptual models and observational evidence, highlighting future directions with remote sensing data integration.

## Key findings

- Patterns are observable via satellite imagery.
- Mathematical models help explain pattern formation.
- Remote sensing data enhances model validation.

## Abstract

This is a book chapter, written as a contribution to a new edition of "Dryland Ecohydrology", edited by Paolo D'Odorico, Amilcare Porporato, and Christiane Runyan, (to appear, Springer 2019). It aims to (1) describe some of the background to conceptual mathematical models of spontaneous pattern formation, in the context of dryland vegetation patterns, and (2) review some of the observational studies of the phenomenon. The chapter also highlights challenges and opportunities associated with the development of the models in light of increasing availability of remote sensing data. This includes both satellite imagery of the patterns and elevation data of the topography. The vast scales, in time and space, associated with the key processes further suggest avenues for improved mathematical modeling paradigms.