Spring 1979 | July 2007 |
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Two views of the same area, the agarita bush is a common point of reference. Little bluestem is within/above the red areas; otherwise KR bluestem. |
The South Creek Trail was one of the areas where we first noticed the expansion of little bluestem into a bottomland area dominated by KR. Although there have always been a few little bluestem clumps in this area (as shown for 1979), the tall KR on the trail (as shown for 2003) always required mowing — and was thus noticeable. Little bluestem had already established a strong presence on the slop above the area, and one senses that it is flowing down into the bottomland, driving a wedge between KR stands.
At the far end of the above area rough dropseed (Sporobolus clandestinus) is extending its territory into the KR, in part thanks to the partial shade of adjacent trees. In late winter it is yellowish, in contrast with KR's grayish caste.