A publication of the Borderlands Research Institute for Natural Resource Management at Sul Ross State University.

Desert Tracks

“Helping conserve the natural resources of the Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands

A Member of the Texas State University System through research, education, & outreach.”

Summer 2011 RESEARCH IN ACTION: Volume 4, Issue 2 Editor: Patricia Moody Harveson Effects of Wildfire on Flora & Fauna of the Big Bend by Bonnie J. Warnock

Inside this issue: s scientists, we understand the role of no rainfall in the near future, fire danger Research in Action 1 A fire as a natural disturbance in the remains high and there seems to be little From the Director 2 grasslands and woodlands of the Trans- hope of recovery for the acres scorched by Pecos. We have studied the effects of pre- the recent fires. But there is hope for re- Student Scholars Re- scribed fire on plant and animal communi- covery. Our ecosystems are adapted to fire. ceive Awards 2 ties and understand that fire can have posi- Donor Spotlight 3 So what can we expect in the areas that tive effects on the ecosystem. However, have burned? Perennial grasses can with- Burn Association this knowledge did not alleviate the fear and stand fire with little damage. However, Meeting 3 emotional turmoil that we felt this past because of the very dry conditions, we will SRSU Marketing spring when wildfires threatened our homes see some perennial grass mortality. But if Campaign 3 and those of our neighbors. we get rains during this monsoon season, Black Bears on the During the past few months many Trans- grass regrowth will be rapid. Fire can in- Move 4 Pecos landowners have experienced the crease the health of some species of grasses same emotions, with many of them losing such as sacaton and can suppresses shrub more than just vegetation to the fires. With growth that has taken over many of our BRI RESEARCHERS grasslands. In low areas and draws we have

Dr. Louis A. Harveson already seen regrowth of grasses. • Professor of Wildlife Man- agement Fire also promotes annual forb growth, • Specialization: Big Game which is the major source of food for and Upland Gamebird Ecology and Management pronghorn and mule deer. Many of our tree and shrub species are sprouters and are Dr. Patricia Moody Harveson not killed by fire. The top of the tree may • Assistant Professor of Conservation Biology be killed, but they have the ability to sprout • Specialization: Population from the roots and quickly regrow. Many Ecology and Spatial and Systems Analysis of our oaks, madrone, and mesquite will resprout from the roots. Other trees and Dr. Robert J. Kinucan • Professor of Range Man- shrubs, like pinyon pine are not sprouters agement and can be killed by fire. Recovery will be • Specialization: Distur- bance Ecology and Popu- slow for our pinyon woodlands. To better lation Plant Biology understand how ecosystems respond to fire,

Dr. Bonnie J. Warnock the BRI will be conducting a variety of © Mike Perry, Alpine Daily Planet • Associate Professor of studies evaluating the impact of the wild- Range Management Researchers with the Borderlands Research Institute are fires on vegetation, birds, small mammals, • Specialization: Restora- investigating the short and long term impacts that wild- tion Ecology and Range- and pronghorn. land Hydrology fires may have on the habitats and wildlife of the Trans- Pecos. Page 2 Desert Tracks Volume 4, Issue 2

From the Director—“ How Fragile Our Desert Is...”

here are many things their fetus, still birthing, or sheep, mule deer, and T that are out of our even abandoning their pronghorn) will go to water control. Unfortunately, young. And, like black during all times of the day weather and natural disas- bears, some animals will once it reaches 105°F. ters are some of those. The abandon their ranges and one-two punch of fires and make extreme journeys for Food consumption is also drought have touched all of food and water. impaired when water is not our lives. available. It is not uncom- But as Dr. Warnock points Each species is adapted in mon for big game species to out in her Research in Action their own way to survive the lose as much as 20% of There is hope. With some rain, our article, “There is hope.” extremes of the desert. In- their body mass annually fragile desert will respond quickly by during lean times. When the rains return, our dividuals may perish, but producing leaves, flowers, and seeds. populations will persist. fragile desert ecosystem will Fences should be modified respond in splendor, capital- There are some practices to allow for easy passage. izing on the precious water that can be implemented to Many of the pronghorn and by producing leaves, flow- Borderlands Research Institute help wildlife survive. other wildlife that perished Advisory Board ers, and seeds. in the wildfires were associ- All livestock water sources ated with fences. Prong- Fortunately, many of our Elliott G. Hayne, Chair should be working and read- horn have a very difficult San Antonio, TX wildlife species are adapted ily available for wildlife. time negotiating net-wire Valer Austin to such climatic extremes. Pearce, AZ This may involve allowing fences as do weakened deer Many of our birds will wait Brian Blackbird spill over, providing plat- that normally jump fences. Sonora, TX for the rains before they forms, or building ramps in J.P. Bryan begin nesting, reptiles will With your help, we will con- Houston, TX and out of the troughs to remain underground until Alberto E. Garza Santos allow wildlife access to the tinue to conserve our fragile Monterrey, Nuevo Leon temperatures lower, and desert. water. We know from our Robie Golden some of our large mammals Alpine, TX studies that big game (desert will respond by reabsorbing —Louis A. Harveson Dan Allen Hughes, Jr. Beeville, TX

Bonnie R. McKinney Del Rio, TX

Bobby McKnight Student Scholars Acknowledged at Honors Program Fort Davis, TX

Homer Mills Alpine, TX uring the annual Paula Skrobarczyk (Wildlife outstanding service.

Richard Nunley D SRSU Honors Con- Management) and under- Justin Hoffman, a senior Sabinal, TX vocation, 6 students were graduates Josette Delgado wildlife management major John B. Poindexter acknowledged as out- and Justin Hoffman. Each Houston, TX also received the highest standing students in Natural student received Ruthie Bowman Russell award of the evening: Sul San Antonio, TX Resource Management, in- “Outstanding Student” Ross State University’s 2011 Hiram Sibley cluding graduate students awards. Alpine, TX Man of the Year. Laura Loeser (Conservation Allen W. Smith Mark Foreman also received Congratulations to all our Austin, TX Biology), Maria Williams special recognition for his (Range Management), and award recipients! Desert Tracks Volume 4, Issue 2 Page 3

Donor Spotlight: Mr. and Mrs. John L. Nau, III

ohn and Bobbie Nau, research program. They ster County. John is Presi- J through JB Bar Ranch have sponsored a five year dent and CEO of Silver Ea- Holdings LTD, have re- research project titled gle Distributors, the largest cently donated $125,000 to “Evaluating the effects of Anheuser-Busch distributor the Borderlands Research habitat management on in the country. John and Institute. scaled quail reproduction, Bobbie reside in Houston. As wildlife enthusiasts and density, and survival.” Their family includes two avid quail hunters, the Naus Along with their family, the married daughters and five have directed their gift to- Naus are owners of the 9- grandchildren. The BRI recently launched a region- wards the BRI’s new quail Point Mesa Ranch in Brew- wide investigation on scaled quail.

Prescribed Burning Association Seeks Members & Funds

Please consider t’s official. The Trans- ment and suppression fuel management cannot be making a tax I Pecos Prescribed Burn- equipment including water overstressed. One of the deductible ing Association (TPPBA) trailers, hand tools, back- primary purposes of the donation to the just received its 501(c) 3 pack sprayers, and fire suits. TPPBA is to manage fuel Borderlands status. The tax-exempt All equipment will be avail- loads to minimize the im- Research Institute status was a necessary step able to members for con- pacts of damaging wildfires. to support our to allow the TPPBA to re- ducting prescribed fires and research, ceive donated funds and for fire suppression. Join us on August 9, 2011 at items and provides liability 5:30 pm in the Range Ani- outreach, and protection for its members. In light of the catastrophic mal Science Center (room educational fires west Texas has experi- programs. TPPBA is currently seeking 130) to learn more about enced, the importance of $20,000 for fire manage- the TPPBA.

SRSU Marketing Campaign Promotes the Big Bend

ul Ross State University cials. The campaign focuses on the natural environment S recently launched a on one of the greatest traits by incorporating outdoor new marketing campaign of SRSU: its natural setting. learning experiences into that embraces the natural The Big Bend is the pinna- academic programs. The wonders of the Big Bend cle of the Borderlands re- research, education, and region. The campaign was gion and is one of the most outreach programs of the New logo and marketing campaign launched in early April with majestic and diverse regions Borderlands Research Insti- stress the importance of our natural a series of billboards, post- of the world. Educational tute are good examples of resources and the area we call the ers, videos, and commer- programs at SRSU capitalize outdoor learning at SRSU. Big Bend. Desert Tracks Volume 4, Issue 2

Borderlands Research Institute Non-Profit Org. for Natural Resource Management U.S. Postage

Sul Ross State University PAID Alpine, Texas P.O. Box C-16 Permit No. 2 Alpine, TX 79832 432.837.8488 http://www.sulross.edu/brinrm

Address Service Requested 152006-120473-20-30632

Sul Ross State University

A Member of the Texas State University System. Alpine, Texas Printed on recycled paper.

Texas State University System Drought and Fires Send Black Bears Searching for Food Board of Regents

Mr. Charlie Amato, Chair this increase in black bear San Antonio, TX The recent fires and ex- tended drought have taken a activity as we try to under- Ms. Donna N. Williams, Vice Chair Arlington, TX toll on all walks of life, but stand their movements and

Mr. Jaime Garza one species that has re- recolonization strategies. San Marcos, TX Page 4 ceived recent attention is Mr. Kevin J. Lilly Unlike many of the other Houston, TX the black bear, a rarely seen resident of the Trans-Pecos. resident wildlife species, Mr. Ron Mitchell Horseshoe Bay, TX black bears have the capac- Starting in June 2011, a ity to move tremendous © Ray Janiczek Mr. David Montagne Orange, TX flurry of black bear sight- distances in response to Black bears, like this one photo-

Ms. Trisha S. Pollard ings were reported in the environmental catastrophes. graphed south of Alpine, have been Bellaire, TX sighted throughout the Trans-Pecos Alpine-Marathon-Fort Ms. Rossanna Salazar Davis area, including sight- The increased black bear as they search for food and water. Austin, TX ings in and around towns activity is almost certainly a Mr. Michael Truncale Please report all black bear Beaumont, TX and residences. response to the extensive habitat loss from wildfires in sightings to Texas Parks and Mr. Ryan Bridges, Student Regent Wildlife Department at 432- Huntsville, TX Researchers with the Bor- Mexico and Texas, coupled derlands Research Institute 837-2051 or 1-800-792- Dr. Brian McCall, Chancellor with the extended drought Austin, TX are especially interested in and extreme heat. 1112.