Editing Eastern Prickly Pear (section)

==== Preliminary Assessment ====

Initial examination of satellite imagery of Westwoods revealed no shortage of rocky terrain with minimal growth of shade trees.  Many of these rocky balds, however, were clearly within a powerline cut that slices through the northern half of the woodlands.  Because these power lines are most likely relatively recent in origin, it was unlikely that the cactus colony would be found there.

However, the rocky terrain revealed by the powerline cut was also evident in occasional patches of exposed, rocky outcrops that can be seen within the forest using satellite imagery.  These areas offered the ideal habitat for ''O. humifusa''.