- Trans Pecos
- High Plains/Panhandle
- Cross Timbers
- Hill Country
- Post Oak Savannah
- Pineywoods
- Oak Prairie
- South Texas Plains
Wildlife Division District Map
South Texas Wildlife Management
Habitat Quality
Quaility wildlife habitats have a diversity of plant
species including shrubs, trees, grasses, and forbs. Plant reproduction,
or the presence of seedlings and new growth are an indication of healthy
plants and habitats.Wildlife species use the various types of plants to
meet their daily needs. While brush is a steady component of the habitat,
forbs and grasses greatly enhance the quality of food and cover resources
for all wildlife. Overgrazing the the range with deer, exotics, or livestock
is detrimental to many wildlife species, including deer themselves.This
photo is an example of good wildlife habitat in South Texas. Through proper
range, livestock, and wildlife management habitats can be maintained in
good condition.
When deer and livestock numbers begin to surpass the
carrying capacity of the rangeland, "hedging" is observed.
Notice how this coma plant looks as if it has been pruned with
clippers. This
plant is at a point of excessive browsing and unless pressures
is removed the plant's healthy may be in jeopardy. Decreased plant
vigor
and health
occur with excessive browsing, and potentially lead to an early death.
If animal numbers are not maintained at (or below) the level of which the rangeland can support, hedging becomes much more severe and habitat quality diminishes. Younger plants are stripped, available forage becomes scarce, and plant diversity declines. Eventually, the habitat could look much like the the photo to the left.
Cursory observations of shrubs can be made to determine the intensity of browsing pressure on key brush and other browse plants. Inspection of the terminal end of twigs and stems of shrubs may reveal bites by deer or livestock. The photo to the right illustrates a kidneywood plant that has been browsed by white-tailed deer. Monitoring intensity of browsing pressure on shrubs can help landowners, biologist, and land managers make decisions regarding habitat management. Heavy browsing pressure may translate to increased deer harvest or reduction in cattle stocking rate.
For information on a field guide of south Texas vegetation click on the link below
Taylor, R.B., J. Rutledge, and J.G. Herrera. 1999. A Field Guide to Common South Texas Shrubs. Texas Parks and Wildlife Press, Austin, Texas, USA.