By: Chris Mostyn, Wildlife Biologist - Llano & Gillespie Counties

In the ranching or land management world the word ecology is probably not kicked around too much, nor would ranchers call themselves scientists or ecologists. Ecology is the study of the relationship between living organisms and their environment. The vital connection and interaction among living plants and animals with non-living elements such as soil, water, and terrain make up an ecosystem. Therefore, ranchers unknowingly are the most important and widespread ecologists of today. Ecology increases knowledge and understanding of ecosystems providing the foundation for successful management.

Texas spans a wonderfully diverse array of ecological systems or regions including desert mountains, marshes, wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands. Four fundamental cycles shape and drive all ecosystems: (1) The water cycle is the continuous movement of water above and below Earth’s surface which is powerful enough to shape landscapes, influence soil components, and provide life sustaining water to living organisms, (2) The mineral cycle is the flow of minerals and nutrients through the ecosystem, (3) Population Dynamics are the changes in populations of living organisms through space and time, and (4) Energy flow comes primarily from sunlight and flows through living organisms within an ecosystem. All ecosystems function on these cycles, and differences in cycle flow shape how the ecosystem appears and supports life. Most ranches encompass multiple ecosystems within their boundary. Different ecosystems require different management to enhance or sustain what you want to achieve with your land.

We rely on land for our survival. We use the land to benefit us in many ways. However, using the land can change it. Identifying ecosystems and assessing the forms, functions, and plants and animals they support is essential for understanding the impacts of changes which can help ranchers make sustainable management decisions. Management needs to focus on manipulating the natural resources ecosystems provide to optimize benefits without neglecting potential impacts that management may have on the ecosystem. Understanding this ensures ecosystems continue to function properly. A good example of this occurs in the Texas Hill Country.

The Edwards Plateau Ecological Region of Texas, commonly called the Hill Country, long ago was a vast grassland savannah that was extremely productive with high quality ecological communities. However, human land use in this region changed the landscape. Newly settled landowners reaped the benefits these communities offered, unfortunately without understanding the impact these actions were having on the ecosystem. Fire was removed from the landscape, grazing was altered significantly by the addition of fencing, and many animal species existing in this region were eradicated. The Hill Country landscape was changed, consisting now of dense to moderately dense woody communities with sparse open grassland between creeks, rivers, and lakes. The land has changed but can still be productive.

Remembering the tough lessons learned from experience and gained from research, we better understand the function of ecosystems better. Land use and management, even lack of management, affects all ecological cycles and can make significant changes in the ecosystem. Understanding this allows ranchers to make changes purposefully or recognize when changes create adverse results. Ranchers are one of the most important links in the health of our ecosystems and, overall, conservation of Texas’ resources.

By: Annaliese Scoggin, Wildlife Biologist - Howard, Mitchell, Nolan, Taylor, & Callahan Counties

When assessing a property for wildlife management, the first characteristic to consider is the underlying topography and soils. The type of soil determines the plants best suited to a site and the type of plants on the land determines what wildlife species can thrive there. In regions like the Texas Hill Country, soil is especially vital due to the area's unique geography and ecology.

The Texas Hill Country, characterized by its rugged limestone hills and diverse vegetation, is home to some of the state’s most unique and rare plant and animal communities. The region's soil - much of which is shallow, rocky, and prone to erosion - has been highly impacted by human activity. It is estimated that some areas of the Hill Country have lost as much as twenty-two inches of topsoil. Considering that it takes 100-500 years to develop a single inch of topsoil, this is a devastating loss of land value and productivity.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, livestock grazing in the Hill Country led to widespread soil loss on rangelands. The impact of this soil loss is still felt today as erosion continues to affect the region’s agricultural production and water quality. The loss of soil also exacerbates flooding, as rainwater no longer has the capacity to soak into the ground and is instead channeled into creeks and streams. This impairs the natural water cycle, leading to sedimentation in our waterways, further degrading water quality.

While the history of soil loss in the Texas Hill Country is a cautionary tale, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of soil conservation. While it will take much longer to repair the past damage than it did to create, we can start now by adopting practices that preserve and enhance our remaining soil. Understanding and addressing the long-term effects of soil loss is crucial to maintaining the health and productivity of the Texas Hill Country for generations to come.

By: Tessa Boucher, Wildlife Biologist - Mills & Hamilton Counties

A diverse ecosystem is made up of many different species of animals, plants, and microbes. Without a wide range of species, we cannot have healthy ecosystems. We can see if an ecosystem is diverse by looking at how many different species there are in that system and how evenly they are spread throughout. More diverse ecosystems tend to be more productive and therefore can support a greater number of consumers at upper trophic levels. In highly diverse communities, each species can use a different portion of resources to reduce competition. For example, shallow rooted plants can utilize water and minerals from the upper soil levels while deep rooted plants can tap into the deep soil.

Each species in a diverse ecosystem performs a unique role that contributes to the functioning of that system. Diversity can be thought of as a safety net for an ecosystem that ensures that all roles are being filled at any given time. With this safety net in place, it's much easier for a community to bounce back from sudden changes and stresses such as natural disasters. Low diversity ecosystems, often referred to as monocultures, contain only a few species. These communities can become vulnerable to diseases, pests and other environmental stressors.

Diversity is an important part of habitat management because of its role in maintaining the resilience of ecosystems. Conserving natural resources such as soil, water, habitat, and wildlife will help to maintain diverse ecosystems. If low diversity is occurring, chances are that the ecosystem is in danger as well. It is important to manage our natural resources with diversity in mind.

By: Erin Wehland, Wildlife Biologist - Burnet & Western Lampasas Counties

If you have ever dug a hole in the Hill Country, you know that the soil is thin throughout most of the region. Topsoil takes centuries to form but is quickly lost through erosion from wind, rain, or ice. Erosion is a natural process; however, it can be accelerated by human activities. Eroded areas experience decreased soil productivity. Dislodged soil particles can impact water quality through siltation and contaminants such as pesticides and fertilizers that are bound to the soil particles. Erosion is usually most intense in areas that are sloped, along waterways, areas of bare soil, or a combination of these factors.    

Erosion control activities aim to protect soil and reduce the ability of water or wind to remove soil. Landowners will have the greatest success dealing with erosion issues when they identify and address the primary cause of why erosion is occurring. Maintaining or establishing vegetation in erodible areas should be a priority as the vegetation keeps soil from being exposed to wind and rain, and roots anchor the soil.  In bare areas, planting and growing native grass is the cheapest option to slow erosion. However, it takes time for grass to grow and provide cover. Hay or mulch can be used as temporary cover until vegetation is established. On slopes and in gulleys, small dams or levees made of rocks, limbs, or other material can slow water, reducing the water’s speed and power. In highly erodible areas, limit the traffic of humans or livestock through fencing or proper placement of trails and roads. Protecting soils from erosion is an important aspect to good land stewardship and creating good habitat for wildlife.