Association of native grasses and overstory species in southern Arizona

This research considered whether three native grasses, Arizona cottontop (Digitaria californica), plains lovegrass (Eragrostis intermedia), bush muhly (Muhlenbergia porteri), and other herbaceous understory species have greater density and cover under overstory species compared to open areas. Arizona cottontop had either significantly greater, less, or similar density under canopies compared to open areas. Arizona cottontop had significantly greater or similar cover among canopied and open areas. Plains lovegrass had significantly lower density and cover under velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina) than in open areas at one site, while no significant differences were observed among canopied and open areas at a higher elevation site. Bush muhly had greater density and cover under canopies for all sites. -Authors