The early worm gets the nutrients!

Happy TGIF TNBRC,

For some species in Arizona, spring is on the way! I recently checked the status of plant development in Arizona by querying the National Phenology Network, a citizen science-based data repository that provides information on the timing of plant life events (e.g., leaf out, flowering, and seed set). Buffelgrass, an invasive grass, is predicted to emerge throughout central Arizona over the next two weeks. Several invasive plants, including the notorious annual grass, cheatgrass, emerge early in the growing season to take up soil nutrients, water, space, and other resources prior to the emergence of native plant species. Understanding the distribution and spatial dynamics of such species can help researchers and land managers develop strategies to control invasive plant populations and protect our native communities. While iNaturalisting over the next couple of weeks (in central and southern AZ at least!), take note of which species are emerging and consider making an observation to add to our overall knowledge of AZ plant dynamics!

--Sara

Publicado el enero 17, 2020 09:29 TARDE por azscurfpea