Pattern formation in marsh ecosystems modeled through the interaction of marsh vegetation, mussels and sediment

•Spatial self-organization can control ecosystem structure and enhance resilience.•Facilitation between ecosystem engineers drives self-organization of salt marshes.•Facilitation by marsh mussels and cordgrass determines salt marsh pattern formation.•Self-organization and pattern formation fuel salt marsh productivity and resilience.•Spatial self-organization allows marshes to withstand erosion and delay collapse.