Prairies Lost to Forests: A 33-Year History of Two Sites in Adams County, Ohio

Abstract

Aerial photographs taken in 1938, 1950, 1965, and 1971 were examined to determine the extent of conversion from prairie to forest for the Lynx Prairie Preserve and a nearby, privately owned property. Both locations, in Adams County, Ohio, supported extensive prairie areas in 1938. Encroachment of juniper and deciduous species into the prairie led to rapid closure of these openings. Lynx Prairie declined from 47% prairie in 1938 to 16% prairie in 1971. The patterns of invasion were similar on both sites.