Canyon de Chelly
This scene helps to illustrate the folly of man, thinking he can engineer nature. In the 1950's authorities decided that it was time to constrain the flow of the streams that meandered across the canyon floor to make it more productive for agriculture. They planted Russian Olive and Tamarisk Tree to stabilize the banks hoping to supplement the native cottonwoods.
Of course, things got out of hand and the 2 non-native trees went wild and almost completely took over the floor, crowding out any other plants. They did the job of stabilizing the creek but at the cost of causing it to dig the channel deeper and deeper and preventing the enrichment of soils that no longer flood. The foliage colors have a certain beauty (like the waters of Lake Powell) but they just don't belong here. Now, there are attempts to remove these weeds. It's a huge job but as the sandy area above indicates, progress is being made.
Canyon de Chelly
This scene helps to illustrate the folly of man, thinking he can engineer nature. In the 1950's authorities decided that it was time to constrain the flow of the streams that meandered across the canyon floor to make it more productive for agriculture. They planted Russian Olive and Tamarisk Tree to stabilize the banks hoping to supplement the native cottonwoods.
Of course, things got out of hand and the 2 non-native trees went wild and almost completely took over the floor, crowding out any other plants. They did the job of stabilizing the creek but at the cost of causing it to dig the channel deeper and deeper and preventing the enrichment of soils that no longer flood. The foliage colors have a certain beauty (like the waters of Lake Powell) but they just don't belong here. Now, there are attempts to remove these weeds. It's a huge job but as the sandy area above indicates, progress is being made.