RANGELAND RESTORATION RESEARCH

Historically, Trans-Pecos Texas consisted of large expanses of desert grasslands interspersed with succulents and shrubs. These unique and vibrant rangelands supported a wide variety of wildlife, and provided important grazing land for livestock operations. However, in recent history drought, climatic change, overgrazing by livestock, and suppression of grassland fires have changed these historic ecosystems. In many places, grasslands have been overtaken by shrub species, which results in decreased forage availability for both livestock and wildlife, and increased soil erosion. Additionally, commercial interests and development have had impacts on native plant species.

The good news is that west Texas landowners are concerned about restoring and protecting the native rangelands of this area, and we at Borderlands Research Institute are committed to helping landowners achieve this by providing research based solutions. Our rangeland restoration research is varied, but focuses on providing specific information that will allow landowners to make informed management decisions. Some of our research areas include:

• Evaluating chemical and mechanical methods of grassland restoration
• Studying and monitoring of west Texas endangered plant species
• Analyzing the impact of wild-harvesting native plant species.

Projects

• Estimating Nonbreeding Grassland Bird Populations In Across Habitats
• Overwinter Habitat Use Of Baird’s And Grasshopper Sparrows
• Does Release Methods For Desert Bighorn Affect Habitat Utilization?
• Effects Of Livestock Grazing On Forb Quality And Quantity For Pronghorn
• Habitat Selection Of Translocated Pronghorn During Seasonal And Acclimation Periods
• Ecohydrology And Its Effects On Reseeding Techniques
• Habitat Selection Of Aoudad, Desert Bighorn Sheep, And Mule Deer
• Influence Of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs On Cattle
• Nutritional Content Of Browse Used By Mule Deer
• Black-tailed Prairie Dog Restoration
• Terlingua Creek Cat’s-eye
• Ocotillo Ecology And Harvest Strategies
• Spike 20p And Grassland Restoration
• Spike 20p And Mule Deer Habitat Restoration
• Burlap Wattles And Grassland Restoration