Stop 9 Foresters Trail
Much of the grass you see in this riparian area is an invasive species called Japanese stiltgrass, or Nepalese browntop. Native to Asia, this species was accidentally introduced to the United States around 1920 and poses several threats to native ecosystems. First, it is a prolific seeder and forms a deep thatch layer, allowing it to out-compete native plants for light and nutrients. Second, its tolerance to shade allows it to not only occupy drainages and other wet areas, but also to spread into the forest understory. Finally, this grass can change the fire dynamics of a forest by introducing or increasing fine, flashy fuels that cause fire to spread more quickly.