We live in an era of globalization, the effects of which are felt in ecological as well as social and economic terms. Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) is a native of Eurasia that found its way to North America in the early 1800s as a seed impurity. This invasive species is now a major menace throughout Read more about The plight of invasive species[…]
People tend to associate cactus with the deserts of the Southwest, but there is at least one species that’s also found on the High Plains. This is prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa), whose native range actually extends eastward from Wyoming and Montana all the way to New England and south to Florida. The bright yellow flowers Read more about Opuntia humifusa[…]
The availability of water is the major determinant of vegetation and land use on the High Plains. Well-watered valleys like this one feature irrigated cropland and hay fields, and natural and planted stands of cottonwoods, while the surrounding uplands are often bare. But water is becoming increasingly scarce, both as a result of over-utilization of Read more about Water scarcity[…]
Every June, cottonwood trees (Populus deltoides var. occidentalis) release clouds of silky-haired seeds that can be carried for miles on wind and flowing water, and give the species its common name. The cottonwood is the most important native tree species of the High Plains, but its specialized riparian habitat is thinly scattered across the landscape. Read more about Summer snow[…]
