Ecological Research Evaluation

Ecological Research Evaluation

Kerr County 2

General Property Location: Central Kerr County off of SH 39, approximately 3 miles southwest of Hunt

Photo 8: Parkland cleared with hydroaxe in 2006 showing strong herbaceous recovery

The approximately 400 acre site is nearly rectangular with the main axis running north to south and a wide panhandle along the eastern boundary that is part of a large acreage subdivision completely surrounded by high fence. An old, dilapidated high fence separates the panhandle from the larger western section, which has been under a wildlife management plan since 2005. At least 7 seasonal creeks flow from the canyons on the ranch. Two of these, along the western and northern boundaries are fed by permanent springs. The ranch straddles the divide between the North and South Forks of the Guadalupe River. The high point on the property is this dividing ridge. Two benchmarks near the eastern and western boundaries sit at 2167 ft and 2164 ft above MSL, respectively. The surrounding land is highly dissected, containing numerous steep canyons. The southern end of the property falls to approximately 2000 ft above MSL at the southeastern corner. On the northern end of the ranch, a short ridge at approximately 2060 ft above MSL runs south to north. The low point of the entire ranch is the center of the northern boundary at approximately 1900 ft above MSL. The property is fenced externally with the exception of the southern 100 acres.

The property contains two major habitat types. The ridges and hilltops support juniper invaded oak parklands with fingers of juniper-oak woodland that cross them and connect the moist canyon habitat. Live oak and Ashe juniper dominate these open areas. Agarita, twisted leaf yucca, white shin oak, and prickly pear are the prominent midstory species, with elbowbush and persimmon present as well. Areas that remain open support a fairly continuous herbaceous layer of King Ranch and little bluestems, seep muhly, slim tridens, sideoats grama, green sprangletop, and Dakota vervain. The panhandle has not been grazed by livestock for 30 years, while the western section was grazed up until 2005. The southernmost 100 acres is still subject to grazing pressure from neighboring cattle. Several areas on the ranch have been recently cleared of excess juniper via hydroaxe, which leaves a substantial amount of mulch on the bare ground. Areas cleared in 2006 have exhibited substantial recovery of herbaceous growth, primarily little bluestem and sideoats grama. Specimens tentatively identified as Tobusch Fishhook Cactus were found in flower in one of the central clearings in early 2007. Browse pressure appears high, but annual surveys reveal a low deer density. Exotics are common in the surrounding area and may be the primary contributor to pressure on woody plants. Feral hogs are also abundant in the western section.

The steep canyons contain mixed oak-juniper woodlands with Lacey oak, Texas oak, shin oak, escarpment black cherry, Texas mountain laurel, buckeye, and elbowbush. The deciduous canopy component in many areas is well above 50%. The age and structure of juniper varies, but large areas of mature growth are present in the steepest portions of the property, with more obvious secondary growth in canyons of the panhandle and along edges and exposed slopes. The springs support switchgrass, sedges, and other moist-soil species. These moist woodlands are very likely to be occupied Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat. No avian surveys have been conducted, but at least one GCW was sighted on the property by an experienced, amateur birder in 2006.

The property offers a variety of land-use histories and current practices that may offer the potential for research and comparisons. Ongoing management of ¾ of the property may allow for investigations into efficacy of employed practices. The very likely presence of two endangered species (Golden-cheeked Warbler and Tobusch Fishhook Cactus) and the confirmed presence of exotic species (axis deer, fallow deer, and feral hogs) offer potential as well.

Eckrant soil is a well drained, very shallow, cobbly, clay soil. The topsoil extends to 7 inches deep with a total soil depth of 12 inches. Water runoff is rapid, soil permeability somewhat slow, and available water capacity very low. Eckrant soil has a shallow rooting zone and a severe hazard of water erosion. The Comfort series is a well drained, shallow stony clay soil. The topsoil averages 8 inches deep with a total soil depth of 14 inches. Water runoff is slow to medium, soil permeability slow and available water capacity is very low. This soil has a severe hazard of water erosion and a shallow rooting zone. Rock outcrop consists of exposed hard limestone, sandstone, or granite bedrock on gently sloping to very steep uplands. Soil depth is 0-2 inches with rapid permeability and very low water holding capacity.

The ECC association is in the Low Stony Hill range site. Climax vegetation is live oak, shin oak, sumac, kidneywood, little bluestem, Indiangrass, sideoats grama, fall witchgrass, wildrye, sprangletop, orange zexmenia, sagewort, dalea, woollywhite, bush sunflower, snoutbean, sundrop, and Engelmann daisy. The ERG association is classified as a Steep Rocky range site. Climax vegetation is Texas, live, and shin oak, ash, redbud, kidneywood, sumac, juniper, little bluestem, sideoats grama, Indiangrass, big bluestem, green sprangletop, bushsunflower, orange zexmenia, daleas, gayfeather, halfshrub sundrop, and bundleflower.