Exclosure

Exclosure – (ex-clo’-sure) n. – an area protected by various devices against the entrance of animals and insect pests – from Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary.

Photograph taken by Lew Hunnicutt.

In February of 2000 Dr. Lew Hunnicutt, who was then in charge of Stewardship, Education and Research for us, set into motion on Selah a research project quite ambitious for a small staff and operation such as Bamberger Ranch Preserve. The project in Lew’s own words was to “Monitor Range Condition and Trend.” It was long range, a minimum of 5 years but our expectations were 10, maybe even 20 years! In 2001 and 2002 Lew, assisted by Margaret Bamberger and a very capable volunteer, Patrick Garnett, monitored and photographed the existing exclosures. As a result of their efforts, a very good baseline set of records exist. Unfortunately, in 2003 Dr. Lew left us to return to his roots, college level teaching. The regular monitoring required of the project soon escaped our attention.

I have admonished everyone here over and over, “Never initiate an action that you are unable to sustain,” whether it is a business, a marriage, a trail or a research project. Without Lew Hunnicutt, we did not have the time or knowledge to sustain the project; although Margaret led newly hired Ranch Biologist, Steven Fulton, to the exclosures and together they recorded observations and took photographs. However before the next scheduled visits, Margaret was diagnosed with cancer and her involvement was no longer possible.

Before moving to 2009, let me describe for you just what and how and for what purpose the exclosures were installed. Once again, in Dr. Lew’s own words excerpted from his plan:

“The condition of rangeland (i.e. excellent, good, fair, or poor) is a direct result of the management practices imposed on it. Determining condition alone is not enough; we must also monitor the direction of change in condition over time (rangeland trend). Trend can be upward (positive), stable (positive or negative), or downward (negative). This dictates to us whether or not our animal management program is beneficial or detrimental to a particular range, site, pasture, etc. If detrimental (downward trend), changes can be implemented to move a site back toward an upward trend.

In order to monitor condition and trend on the ranch, 13 exclosures (more to be added in the future) were constructed in February of 2000. Each exclosure was constructed using 2, 20-foot cattle panels pulled into a circle with the overlapping ends wired together. Each exclosure was then wired to 3 t-posts driven into the ground for support. The 13 exclosures were divided among 5 different range sites (a classification of land based on soil type and properties) across the ranch in areas determined to be important from an animal use standpoint. The purpose of each exclosure is to keep out large ungulates (cattle, deer, and goats), while still allowing use by small animals (rabbits, quail, etc.). Baseline date (i.e. species composition, extent of cover versus bare ground, height of vegetation, etc.) was documented at each exclosure. A permanent photo point was also placed at each exclosure site. This photo point was simply another t-post driven into the ground in close proximity to the exclosure. To collect photo point data, a camera is placed on the top of the post with the lens pointed in the direction of the “tail-of-the-t” of the t-post. The picture is taken then the camera is turned 180 degrees to capture a photo in the opposite direction. This insures that the same areas will be photographed during each data collection period. The purpose of photo points is to look at changes in the land over time. Photos can be compared with previous years to determine the trend (upward, downward, stable) of the site. The key to using photo points is to not get in a hurry. It is impossible to draw conclusions after only a few years. It takes a minimum of 5 years and it is even better with more years worth of photo data before conclusions are drawn about the trend.

We will visit each exclosure at least twice (more as needed) during the year to document species composition, forage quantity inside and outside each exclosure, and to take photo point photos. The visits will occur during the growing (May/June) and dormant (Jan/Feb) seasons for many of the plant species found on the ranch that are of major importance to large ungulates. This data will allow us to monitor condition and trend over time. This is a long term study, basically never-ending, project.”

Over the past 5 years while rounding up cattle or guiding a hunter, Scott Grote, Ranch Operations Manager, made a few casual observations of the exclosures. Nothing was recorded.

Now fast forward through 2004-2005-2006-2007 and 2008. In late August 2009 Steven Fulton, Ranch Biologist, with me and my dog, Cory, tagging along visited, inventoried and photographed all exclosures.

Like tree rings divulge age and weather, the exclosures, along with our weather and livestock records give us valuable information.

Photograph taken by J. David in June of 2009.

See what may occur if rangeland is not managed. Grazing cattle or browsing deer are management tools. Inside the exclosure, woody species have essentially taken over. The tall plant is a Hackberry tree which will eventually provide bird food. Primary vegetation is Greenbriar, a preferred plant for deer, but currently over represented throughout the ranch. There is also a very large spreading Agarita which I would describe as somewhat invasive. There were 3 forbs: Orange Zexmania, Vetch Sp, and Shepherds Purse; some Texas Wintergrass; and K.R. Bluestem, but overall the cover inside was 65% woody with 156” height; while outside the exclosure under managed (grazed) conditions, the cover was grass.

Photograph taken by J. David.

Here on this adobe site there is not much difference inside or outside our exclosure. The ground cover is 45% inside and out of the exclousre with grass cover 6 to 8 inches inside. The grasses are primarily Seep Muhly, Little Bluestem and Tall Dropseed. Steven indentified two forbs, Queen’s Delight and Navaho Tea, and a succulent, Twisted Leaf Yucca, which hadn’t been recorded in those first three years.

Photograph taken by J. David.

Grass cover was estimated at 95% and 10 to 12 inches tall within this exclosure with K.R. Bluestem being most abundant followed by Little Bluestem, Silver Bluestem, Side Oats Grama and some Tall Dropseed. One forb, Vetch Sp, was noted as well as Greenbriar, a woody. It appeared that grass production was beginning to mulch itself.

Photograph taken by J. David.

This is on our Redlands Range site. A small, perhaps a 50 acre area in which Post and Blackjack Oak dominate. There are very few other oaks in this area. 85% cover, 6 to 8 inches high and mostly grass was identified within the exclosure. They being K.R. Bluestem, Little Bluestem and smaller amount of Sideoats and Indiangrass. There were no identifiable forbs, outside the exclosure grazing and hoof action had hampered our ability to identify anything. We noted that in 2003 this location held a nice diversity of grasses and forbs. Please read on through the next exclosure for comments about this as well as other thoughts on our exclosure project.


Photograph taken by J. David.

I was unable to identify which exclosure this was so I passed the question to Steven Fulton, our Ranch Biologist, with the comment, “Tell me about this one.” The following is Steven’s written reply:

“My first impression of this pasture as I approached this exclosure was that it is overgrazed. However, when our 30 inch deficit in rainfall of the past two years is thrown into the equation the condition of this pasture begins to make more sense. The physiological response of many of our native plants is to retreat into a state of dormancy when faced with severe drought. Our seemingly dead grass is only dead above ground; the life of the plant persists in the roots. Cattle removing dead grass blades and stems should not change the species composition of this grass community. Inside the exclosure, the dominant species is Little Bluestem. To determine the degree of overgrazing (if any) in this pasture, a return visit after a wet period is warranted. I expect to see the pasture composed mostly of Little Bluestem, meaning that overgrazing has not occurred. However, if the grass community shifts to less desirable species (threeawns) then overgrazing has occurred. Let’s pray for a wet fall and spring so I can answer this question about overgrazing.”

I’m not pleased with this, my first report on the exclosures. However I am enthusiastic about the project. It was very interesting to see the changes at each site and to look at Lew Hunnicutt and his volunteers’ comments and inventory of the plants. Now that we are back and involved with this research, I expect to be much more thorough when monitoring and collecting data. . . . . What can we say about all of this at this time?

• Well, we could tell which sites cattle preferred.


• It was wrong to conclude any site was overgrazed due to poor management since we had two serious drought years with no water in 4 pastures. So, in spite of reducing our cattle herd by 60%, cattle had to be grazed in pastures that had water.


• There was a lot of dormant grass that has begun to green up since recent rains.


• Rangeland unmanaged will result in woody species that begin taking over.


• As a precursor to climate change, we may learn which plants can adapt.


• It would be more valuable if we had checked our project in a more normal climate year, but what really is normal?

As Lew Hunnicutt said – “the project has more value if extended 20 years,” and it’s our goal to do just that.

Berries and Seeds in mid-December

Saturday (Dec. 15th) was chilly and very windy. Below are a couple of pictures of grasses blowing in the wind. The grass below is little bluestem, in spite of the fact that the typical rusty color isn't seen because of the angle of the sun.


Canyon muhly is a little taller than little bluestem and has an open seedhead that is very visible and is quite elegant when blowing in the wind. The rusty color of the little bluestem can be seen in this photograph.


As I was walking, I noticed that there are quite a few plants with fruit or berries. I've always loved seeing berries in winter when a bit of color, or the presence of something juicy, is notable.

Below is Mistletoe, which is difficult to see on a tree when it is covered with green leaves. When trees lose their leaves mistletoe is easy to see because it is the only green on the bare branches. There are 5 different kinds of mistletoes in Texas, and the one pictured below is the most common, Phoradendron tomentosum. All are parasitic and their roots are embedded in tree branches. They produce their own starches using photosynthesis, but rely on a host tree for water and minerals. All parts of the plant are poisonous to most species of animals. However, birds feed on the berries and leave seeds, fertilized with their droppings, on branches.


Juniper, or cedar as it is known locally, has an abundance of berries on the female plant. The male plant is the source of the gold-orange pollen that drives people with an allergy to it crazy with symptoms. There are eight different species in Texas. The juniper here in the eastern Hill Country is mountain juniper or Ash Juniper (Juniperus ashei). The "berries" look like berries, but in reality are woody cones that are covered with a fleshy coat. All parts of the plant contain an astringent resin that makes the berries taste terrible and can cause abdominal distress. The taste usually keeps people from ingesting a toxic amount (2 or more berries). They can be used in small amounts in cooking, and a European juniper berry is used in making gin.

I have seen Cedar Waxwings (a handsome bird seen in Texas in the winter) in winter flocks on cedars, but what they really love is Pyracantha berries, which are bright red. (a non-native that is abundant in areas where it was introduced). Pyracantha is found in this area, but here on the ranch we try to eradicate them.

One of our employees was talking to a group of women here on a tour. He told them that we removed small cedar in order to establish grasslands, but told them that we don't remove the big Ash Junipers, especially those near a creek. The ladies misunderstood the word "ash" and told him that they understood the need to remove cedar but they didn't like his language. In the end, when they understood their mistake, they all had a good laugh.


A very prickly vine that is the bane of gardeners and hikers is called Greenbriar or Catbriar, Smilax bona-nox. It has very sharp thorns which can be seen in the photograph below. I have been scratched many times when I've run into a vine, gotten blood on my clothes and cursed the perpetrator of my pain. In the spring there are tiny flowers on the females, and the berries are green at first, then turn dark blue-black in the fall. The berries are probably not toxic, though eating them is not recommended.


Flameleaf sumac (Rhus lanceolata) berries persist after the leaves have fallen. Red when they first ripen, they turn black later in the winter. Malic acid makes the fruits tart, and you can make a drink called Sumac-ade. There is a recipe in Delena Tull's book "Edible and Useful Plants of Texas and the Southwest". I've never made it, though it sounds good. See picture in my blog of Dec. 9 for the color of its leaves in fall. Note: this plant is related to Poison Ivy and some people are allergic to it, and get a skin rash. (I am very allergic to Poison Ivy but not to any of its relatives.)


A handsome bush in winter is Possumhaw, or Deciduous Holly (Ilex decidua). The red-orange berries appear on the female plants before the leaves fall off, and persist through the winter. The berries are eaten by birds and small mammals. To the side are two pictures taken on the same day. One of the plants is in a valley, and still is holding many of its leaves. The other is in a small canyon near the plateau hill-tops. I'm guessing that it was colder and perhaps more windy on the top, and warmer in the valley.

Many of the crab-apples on the ranch don't produce fruit every year. This year, one that we think is a Prairie Crab-apple, produced an amazing amount of fruit. It is a healthy small tree on one of our trails. I think this is the first year we've seen fruit on it.  J. David planted it probably in the 80's. (The picture below is of that tree).

We have a native crab-apple here on the ranch called a Blanco Crab-apple (Malus ioensis var texana). It has a slightly larger, green & bitter fruit. It is a small and very slow growing tree that deer love to eat when young and tender. Heavy deer populations in the Hill Country threaten this species.


Wafer ash (Ptelea trifoliata) blooms in the spring and produces a fruit that is wrapped in flat, paper-like wings that start out green, and in fall become tan as they dry out. The flowers are very fragrant and the leaves have a mild skunk-like smell, and some people refer to it as "skunk-bush". I happen to like the smell but when my dog comes home after being sprayed by a skunk, I don't like that smell at all.


The Chili-piquin plant produces a bright red fruit in the fall that are irresistible to song birds and lovers of very hot peppers. Apparently chickens and guineas also eat them. There are many wild and cultivated varieties of the Piquins. Capsicum annuium, the original piquin, lived in southern Brazil and Bolivia, and migrated north to Central America, Mexico, and the southern US. Gardeners plant them, but they also spread on their own without help.

I had a personal experience with the peppers when I was a little kid in New Orleans. I was pretending I was lost in the jungle and had to find my own food. I noted the delicious looking berries of a Chili-piquin and picked 4 or 5 of them and popped them into my mouth. I remember the searing heat, screaming, trying to get rid of them, and in the process got the juice on my arms which burned as badly as my mouth and the skin around my mouth. I'm still not a fan of very hot peppers ---- I wonder why!


These photographs were all taken on Saturday, December 15 by me with my Canon Digital Rebel XTi SLR. I love my camera, and figure it will take years for me to learn all the tricks that it can do.