Introduction

Historically Central Texas grassland ecosystems consisted of lush grasses growing in a deep fertile soil profile. Poor management of grassland ecosystems has resulted in loss of native vegetation, invasion by undesirable plant species and loss of the soil profile. The tall deeply rooted warm season grasses that once dominated Central Texas grassland ecosystems included Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, Indian Grass, Eastern Gamma Grass, Switch Grass and other species. These desirable grass species have been replaced by invading woody species such as ashe juniper that have negative impacts on soils, native vegetation, and water quality and water quantity. Restoration of these valuable rangelands will improve grazing, habitat for native wild life, and will improve water quality and quantity for future residents.

Residents of the Leon River Watershed area have proposed a multidisciplinary rangeland restoration project. Federal Congressional members, state legislators and the Texas agricultural community have pledged financial support. Plans are under way to restore valuable rangelands (Leon River Restoration Project) with the cooperation of Central Texas Cattleman's Association (CTCA), and Texas Department of Agriculture. Our goal is to restore the productivity of native rangelands, habitat for native wildlife and to ultimately improve water quality and quantity in the watershed. To accomplish these goals the we are proposing the removal of non-native woody species that are invading rangelands and destroying productivity. Their activities will include:

  • Re-vegetation sites selected using maps created by Blackland Research and Extension Center.
  • Use of overhead imagery to assist in final site selection.
  • Ground truthing of sites to develop a database of plant and animal species present before and after clearing and re-vegetation.
  • Working closely with state and federal agencies to insure the environmental correctness of activities.
  • Clearing ashe juniper from selected sites in cooperation with landowners.

Ashe juniper and other woody species to will be removed provide space to reestablish desirable grassland species. Native plant species have been selected for re-seeding that will readily establish, providing vegetative cover that will effectively improve water quality and decrease sediment loading in runoff water. An ashe juniper clearing project managed by BREC in Seco Creek yielded an increase of 60,000 gallons of water per acre for the first two years following clearing [Dugas et al., 1998].


December17, 2002
Dennis Hoffman, Project Leader