Weeds on sandy mesquite range

Mesquite sandhill artificial revegetation enclosure, near west gate, mixture of weeds on sandy mesquite range that has been closed to grazing for 3.5 years. The weeds in flower are Sphaeralcea icana. When weed litter is allowed to accumulate on such sandy lands, wind erosion is decreased, the soil is partially stabilized, and perennial plants such as chamiza germinate and grow more readily than on barren lands. Original Photo Number 356019.