“…This theory is extensively supported by observations, mathematical analysis, and direct numerical results, which explain its wide acceptance, although it must be acknowledged that alternative and complementary hypotheses have been proposed, such as solely long‐range vegetation competition (Martínez‐García, Calabrese, Hernández‐García, & López, ) and interactions with fauna (Getzin et al, ; Tarnita et al, ), which remain under intense scientific discussion. Moreover, several feedback mechanisms of soil–vegetation–water interactions have been identified (Meron, ) and are supported by experimental evidence (Dunkerley, 2002jun, ; Ludwig, Wilcox, Breshears, Tongway, & Imeson, ; Tongway, Valentin, & Seghieri, ; Yizhaq, Stavi, Swet, Zaady, & Katra, ). Mathematical and numerical models are a key tool in exploring and understanding the dynamics of these systems (Sherratt, ) as the spatiotemporal scales make field studies and experiments expensive and with limited capabilities of producing insights into the dynamics (Meron, ).…”