These grasses above are called “Chinese Silver Grass”, i.e., Miscanthus sinensis. I found them in the open grassland area of Jinan Daming Lake Park. This area has low soil moisture and high light intensity, making it ideal for this drought-tolerant species. The grass formed dense clumps, growing up to 2 meters tall, and was easily recognizable by its long, narrow leaves and silver-colored flowers. M. sinensis appears to dominate this area due to its ability to thrive in dry, sunny conditions, where other less drought-resistant species struggle.
Its deep root system likely helps it access water from deeper soil layers, making it well-suited for stabilizing the soil and preventing erosion. This dominance also shows how environmental factors, such as soil moisture and light, shape plant communities, as M. sinensis was not found near the water body or in shaded forest areas where conditions are different. Its presence in the grassland highlights its role as a key species adapted to these specific environmental conditions.
The first post should be focused on your whole study area, gradients in your study area and potential questions, you can focus on this particular species if you are most interested in it after your first visit but looking for more details on your study area here.