High Sierra Topix

Does anyone know what causes the grass to grow in these patterns? This was taken in Humphreys basin between Lower Desolation lake and Tomahawk lake on 9/28/23. Just curious.

i have wondered the same thing over the years, thanks for asking here.

I don't know if it's exactly what's happening here, but some grasses grow outward and leave behind hostile chemicals where old growth was, preventing other plants from rooting in the center of their growth circles and shading them out.

Just speculating here, but it looks like the tarn in the background has dried up and the grass pattern is from small pools of water that were left over. Again, just a guess.

The above explanations are definitely plausible. I also noticed the rings follow elevation contours, that maybe puddles are the explanation, as well the "growth ring could be causing those subtle undulation in the soil. My thought was the contours may be the result of water flow with the edges serving as catchment zones for seeds set adrift in a shower, later to take root where they came to rest. I suspect there are HSTers out there who know the actual explanation, but are content to be amused while us "low-botanists" types show off our ignorance.

Ed