Land Views of wetland near Town Branch, Fayetteville, AR

Spring Views of wetland near Town Branch Fayetteville, AR
Mounded moist-soil prairie that drains into Town Branch

Typical Indian Grass gives visitors a hint they are walking on prairie wetland. This area has several types of vegetation, including June Grass, that is found on such wetland.

The wettest spots Having been brushhogged twice in fall 2001 and spring 2002 past, the land has few significant trees except along the fence lines and the wettest spots, where native willows are the dominant species. Birds were mating by March 1 and beginning to select nesting spots. The man who brushhogged the land for a previous owner of the land, who wanted the high grass and brush and young trees removed to make it attractive to a potential buyer, worked FASTER when told by a visitor that the land was wetland and valuable wildlife habitat that should not be disturbed.
				Although the federally designated wetland was identified as less than one-fourth of the 2.46 acres, saturated soil is found widely over the area. A federal permit would be required to build on the west 2 acres but not to rebuild on the part near S. Duncan Avenue. The farmers who first owned the 2-acre prairie knew it was too wet to plow; and, according to a man who worked on the adjacent dairy farm in the 1950s, it was not used as pasture and was never even mowed for hay.
Osage burrowing crayfish, formally known as procambarus libororum, are common in this wetland. Sometimes, they may be found on the surface near one of their typical holes. Sometimes, they create an obvious tall chimney above ground. Mothers may sometimes be seen carrying their numerous hatchlings on their bodies when they move about.

Photos by Joseph C. Neal, 3/8/03

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