Soil disturbances that accompany energy development can damage local habitats. Prior to oil and gas extraction, it is commonly recommended that topsoil stockpiles be created to aid future restoration. Our study area, a retired fracking pond in the western Rio Grande Plains, Texas, was restored in 2017 with stockpiled topsoil that was collected in 2013. We segregated the existing stockpile into three layers that were ∼1.5 m in thickness and distributed these layers, along with a non-amended control surface (consisting of former subsoil that made up the perimeter of the fracking pond), in strips over the restoration area. Each of the four surfaces was seeded with a mixture of (1) 13 native grasses, (2) 13 native grasses plus an annual warm-season grass cover crop, or (3) non-seeded. We monitored plant density and species composition two through five years post-restoration. The non-amended control surface had higher seeded grass density during the final 2 sampling periods; stockpiled surfaces seldom differed from each other. Previous year's competing plant density had little effect on restoration success. Providing supplemental seed initially increased seeded plant density but benefits diminished over time; adding a cover crop was not advantageous. Changes in community composition over time were similar on stockpile surfaces but more variable than observed on the control surface. Results suggest that stockpiling topsoil may not be necessary, but that supplemental seeding was beneficial, to restoration success.

Anthony Falk, Assistant Director⇑ South Texas-Texas Native Seeds (TNS), Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI), Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), MSC 218, 700 University Blvd, Kingsville, TX 78363

ABSTRACT Non-native, invasive grasses can pose a threat to biodiversity in the southern U.S. Pennisetum ciliare (buffelgrass) is an example of an introduced invasive grass that has established in southwestern rangelands and negatively influenced biodiversity. Since its introduction, millions of hectares in the southwestern U.S. have been planted with, or invaded by, buffelgrass. Buffelgrass can form monocultures that not only reduce biodiversity but can also change ecosystem processes. Native-grassland restorations may be able to mitigate such negative impacts of non-native grasses. We conducted a study to document the response of herbaceous plants (grasses and forbs) and wildlife (grassland breeding birds, grassland wintering birds, and butterflies) to a 118-ha grassland restoration (involving prescribed fire, multiple discing and herbicide applications, and native-plant seeding) in La Salle County, Texas during 2013–2019. In general, we documented a numerical increase for all three taxa (native plants, birds, and butterflies) in species richness and relative abundance on the restoration site compared to a control. Our results suggest that native-grassland restoration is possible in a landscape dominated by buffelgrass. These restoration efforts can increase plant and wildlife diversity, although the time and expense required to achieve such responses are great.

Colin Shackelford, Assistant Director⇑ West Texas – Texas Native Seeds (TNS), Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI), Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), MSC 218, 700 University Blvd, Kingsville, TX 78363

Non-native plants alter conditions and can reduce the effectiveness of restoration tools. Under these conditions, adding native, locally adapted seeds to favor establishment of native plant communities may provide a potential restoration strategy. We explored the efficacy of soil disturbance and the addition of native seed to restore native plant and arthropod communities in landscapes dominated by Kleberg bluestem (Dichanthium annulatum [Forssk.] Stapf, Old World bluestem grasses, OWB) in summers 2011−2013; our study coincided with severe drought. We compared vegetation and arthropods on disked plots with and without seed (experimental plots), as well as plots within adjacent, undisturbed OWB monocultures. Adding seeds increased cover of native plants and reduced cover of OWBs relative to unseeded plots and undisturbed OWB monocultures. Most of the plants we recorded in seeded plots were not included in the seed mix; we hypothesize that arthropods may have been consuming the added seed rather than the seed bank, permitting native plants in the seed bank to establish. Adding seed also increased arthropod species richness, which was more pronounced as drought severity decreased. During severe drought, arthropod abundance in experimental plots was comparable with undisturbed OWB monocultures, despite the absence of vegetation after disking. However, as drought subsided, undisturbed OWB monocultures had more arthropods than experimental plots. Non-native arthropods, particularly herbivores, were positively associated with OWBs; adding seed was associated with reduced dominance of both OWBs and nonnative arthropods. Reducing dominance of OWBs by adding seed was also associated with reduced dominance of some predators that consume non-native arthropod prey. Understanding how communities respond to multiple disturbances seems especially important to inform restoration strategies given that changes in climate patterns and establishment of invasive species are likely to be more common and widespread.

Adequate native grass seed supply is a fundamental requirement for restoring disturbances associated with oil and gas production in West Texas. Knowing the amount and cost of native seed needed would be useful to oil and gas operators, seed producers, and conservation planners. We used projections of potential land impacts from oil and gas development, typical seeding rates, and current market prices to estimate the native grass seed supplies necessary and seed cost for low, medium, and high potential land-alteration scenarios. We estimate that at least 1.0% of the land area in the region has already been altered by oil and gas production, and that an additional 0.6–4.0% will be impacted by oil and gas pad or pipeline construction by 2050. Native seed supply between 112,000–600,000 kg (247,000–1,330,000 lbs.) of pure live seed (PLS) of native grasses valued between US $10–57 million will be needed for restoration to occur on all sites. These estimates provide targets for collaborative efforts focused on developing restoration seed source capacity through partnerships between seed source developers, the seed-production industry, practitioners, and energy producers. Our estimates also illustrate potential cost-savings for energy developers if land impacts can be minimized.

ABSTRACT:Guadalupe Germplasm white tridens (Tridens albescens (Vasey) Wooton & Standl. [Poaceae]) is a selected germplasm released for immediate use in erosion control, right-of-way reseeding, and range and wildlife plantings throughout Texas. Guadalupe Germplasm was developed by Texas Native Seeds, the USDA NRCS E. “Kika” de la Garza and James E. “Bud” Smith Plant Materials Centers, Sul Ross State University, and Texas AgriLife Research Station in Stephenville, Texas. White tridens is a native, perennial bunchgrass found in low prairies, ditches, and swales in clayey soils that are frequently inundated within the Rio Grande Plains (MLRA 083A-D), Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes (MLRA 150A & B), Edwards Plateau (MLRA 081A-D), Rolling Plains (MLRA 78A-C), Cross Timbers (MLRA 084B & C), Southern Desert Basins, Plains, and Mountains (MLRA 042), and Blackland Prairies (MLRA 086A & B) ecoregions. This germplasm is recommended for use in upland wildlife plantings, critical site revegetation, right-of-way plantings, and inclusion in range seeding mixes on clay, clay loam, and saline clay ecological sites. Guadalupe Germplasm was selected for release because of excellent comparative plant vigor, indications of region-wide adaptation, and high seed quality in relation to similar native grasses. This release was made because no tested and adapted commercial seed source of white tridens is available for use in restoration seedings, and few other accessions of native plants are available that have natural adaptations to the saline and heavy clay soil characteristics to which Guadalupe Germplasm is adapted.

Restoration is difficult when topsoil and subsoil become mixed during pipeline construction. We studied soil properties, seedling emergence and establishment after pipeline construction in the Rio Grande Plains, Texas following physical (with or without erosion control blanket, ECB), chemical (humic substances, HS), and/or biological (native species mix) treatment. We documented higher soil water following precipitation under ECB; even with ECB soil water evaporated rapidly between rainfall events. Soil temperatures were cooler at mid-day under ECB on sunny days but similar on cool days and during evening. We observed from 3 to 8 more seedlings/0.09 m(2) with ECB. Plots were dominated by exotic grasses after 2 years, likely because of seed bank and seed rain influences. The annual cover crop reduced exotic species biomass but did not negatively impact native species biomass. Pipeline construction affected all soil properties analyzed when compared to adjacent undisturbed areas; many soil properties changed on the pipeline following construction. Humic substances had no measurable effects. ECB enhanced seedling emergence but did not affect 2-year growing season biomass. Recommendations include proper seedbed preparation; ECB during periods of unfavorable conditions; use of locally-adapted species and an annual cover crop; and measures to preclude invasion of non-native species.

The Journal of Wildlife ManagementVolume 82, Issue 5 p. 1084-1085 Book Review Mesquite: History, Growth, Biology, Uses, and Management. Rodney W. Bovey. 2016. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, Texas, USA. 261 pp. $45.00 hardcover. ISBN 978-1-62349-428-5. Forrest Smith, Corresponding Author Forrest Smith forrest.smith@tamuk.edu Texas Native Seeds Program, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Texas, 78363 USA E-mail: forrest.smith@tamuk.eduSearch for more papers by this author Forrest Smith, Corresponding Author Forrest Smith forrest.smith@tamuk.edu Texas Native Seeds Program, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Texas, 78363 USA E-mail: forrest.smith@tamuk.eduSearch for more papers by this author First published: 19 February 2018 https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21428Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume82, Issue5July 2018Pages 1084-1085 RelatedInformation

Plant community biodiversity is critical for maintaining native and cultivated grasslands. Even though legume nitrogen contribution can enhance ecosystem productivity, a critical number of native herbaceous legume species are not commercially available for grassland seed mixes in the south-central US. Of those on the market from other regions, perennial temperate species fail to survive the hot summer seasons, and the tropical species lack sufficient cold tolerance for winter survival through most of the region. We examine historical and current efforts to identify appropriate genotypes to supply native legume seed in Texas and immediate surroundings as a case study for developing a widely under-utilized resource in this and other regions. More than 30 native legume genera occur across this region, often as small, isolated, and protected populations. Several recent native le gume releases target forage production, grassland reclamation, and wildlife habitat, but the seed available meets only small-scale demands and lacks diversity. Wider germplasm adaptation, less costly seed production, and improved marketing may increase demand and economic viability of multiple native legume seeds in restoration, right-of-way stabilization, rangeland rehabilitation, and pasture cultivation. Systematic germplasm selection that focuses on potential market, seed harvestability, seedling vigor, and persistence under inter-plant competition and grazing pressures could substantially increase native legume domestication and sustained commercialization. Coordination of seed supply and demand involving policy aspects of government incentive programs, seed industry investments, and extension programs targeting potential user groups could contribute to greater commercialization success of native legumes with potential to provide multiple benefits to ecosystems across North America.

Topsoils often are removed from energy production sites and stock-piled for use later in restoration activities. Effects of this practice on soil seed banks are unknown. We examined seed bank size, species richness, and species composition of stock-piled topsoils as affected by sampling depth and sampling date at two study sites in the western Rio Grande Plains, TX, USA. Stock-piled topsoil and adjacent non-disturbed topsoil samples were collected at 0–10, 10–20, 20–30 and 30–40 cm depths on five dates over an 18-month period following stock-pile construction. Seed banks were assessed with the seedling emergence method. Sampling date had little effect on seed bank characteristics. We detected differences among depths on the stock-pile, and between stock-piles and undisturbed soil. Seed bank size and species richness generally decreased with increased stock-pile sampling depth at both sites. Differences between stock-piles and undisturbed soil varied between sites: at one site, stock-piling effects were common and were expressed in lower seed bank size and richness in stock-piles compared to undisturbed soils; at the other site, stock-piling had fewer effects on richness or seed bank size. Prevalence of exotic species varied between sites and likely reflected differences in surrounding vegetation. Therefore, site-to-site variability precludes strong generalizations. However, density of emerged native seedlings ranged from < 1 to 3.8 seedlings m−2 at both sites. Assuming acceptable species composition, stock-piles supported an adequate seed bank size at time of sampling for restoration without need for additional seed input.

As ruminant species diversify in natural and managed ecosystems in an effort to increase production, so does the need for greater plant diversity. Legume shrub propagation is rarely targeted for this purpose. As an example, the wide range of native perennial, shrub (0.5–3 m) legumes in Texas indicates untapped potential for multiple uses such as forage, ecosystems services, wildlife habitat, fuel, and possibly pulse crops. We propose that concerted programs to identify, collect, characterize, domesticate and commercialize these legumes could lead to multiple benefits in native and cultivated ecosystems characterized by herbaceous, shrubby and arboreal canopies, each contributing to greater herbage and animal productivity than mono-canopy systems. This approach could be applied in Europe and throughout the world.

Oil and gas activities, particularly road and drilling pad construction, impact large acreages of native rangelands across the country. Many landowners attempt to restore the pad sites of historic wells to native vegetation with varying results. To test the ability of a locally-adapted, native seed mix, made up of grasses, forbs, and legumes, we attempted to restore four former oil and gas wells to their historic grassland state. Adding to the complexity of the restoration process, these pads were located within large grazing units, making it unfeasible to exclude grazing. We evaluated the ability of the native seed mix to establish and persist, and the effects of grazing by cattle the on the restored sites for two years after planting. By seven months post seeding, we were able to establish restored species density of >= 0.9 seeded plants/m(2), comprising of an average of eight different species. Cattle grazing had little effect on the density of seeded species. Cattle grazing did have minor effects on species composition; however, these effects are not likely to create any long term effects on species composition. These results are promising to landowners attempting to perform native grassland restoration following oil and gas activities in South Texas, even when livestock exclusion is impractical.

A selected germplasm of red lovegrass (Eragrostis secundiflora J. Presl [Poaceae]) was released in 2015 for use in rangeland restoration, wildlife plantings, and right-of-way plantings in South Texas. Duval Germplasm is a blend of 4 accessions collected from the Rio Grande Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, and Coastal Sand Plains ecoregions. Selections were based on plant characteristics evaluated over 2 y at 3 evaluation sites distributed throughout the intended area of use of the germplasm. Following selection, outplants were started from the original seed collections, and seed stock of the 4 accessions was increased in isolation to preserve genetic integrity of each source population. Seed from isolated increases is then blended to create Duval Germplasm. This release represents the first selected, ecotypic seed source of red lovegrass adapted to South Texas and the first known plant materials release of this widespread native grass species.

and is freely available online at: http://er.uwpress.org Effects of Depth and Duration of Burial on Tanglehead (Heteropogon contortus) Seed Viability and Germination in Southern Texas Joshua L. Grass (Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX, 78363), Aaron D. Tjelmeland (The Nature Conservancy, Texas City Prairie Preserve, Texas City, TX, 77590), Forrest S. Smith, (Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX, 78363), Scott L. Mitchell (Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX, 78363), Sandra Rideout-Hanzak (Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and Dept. of Animal, Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX, 78363-8202), John Lloyd-Reilley (E. “Kika” de la Garza Plant Materials Center, USDA NRCS, Kingsville, TX, 78363-2704), Shelly D. Maher (E. “Kika” de la Garza Plant Materials Center, USDA NRCS, Kingsville, TX, 783632704) and David B. Wester (corresponding author: Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and Dept. of Animal, Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences, Texas A&M UniversityKingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, david.wester@tamuk.edu).

Seed is fundamental to broadscale plant restoration when the goal is to re-establish species and ecosystems. But climate change is expected to significantly influence plant reproduction, affecting seed availability and viability as well as planting opportunities. Meeting growing restoration targets within these constraints in new and unfamiliar climates will be challenging. Consequently, we need to develop a range of flexible strategies to ensure that sufficient volumes of viable seed are available to take advantage of planting opportunities under novel environmental scenarios. This requires coordinated leadership to align funding and planting timelines, using seed production areas to improve seed supply, building and maintaining infrastructure to stockpile seed, encouraging research to overcome storage and germination constraints, and developing and implementing new technologies in all of these areas. Increased tolerance to risk and failure will also be required as the application of current restoration practices may not be appropriate as the climate changes.

A selected germplasm release of sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus (Torr.) A. Gray [Poaceae]) was cooperatively released in 2015 by the South Texas Natives project and the USDA NRCS E “Kika” de la Garza Plant Materials Center in Kingsville, Texas. This release is intended for use in range and wildlife plantings, right-of-way reseeding, and critical site seedings. Nueces Germplasm comprises 5 populations of sand dropseed collected from native plants in the Rio Grande Plains, Coastal Sand Plains, and Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes ecoregions of southern Texas. Selections were made from 26 accessions of sand dropseed based on plant performance data collected over 2 y at 3 evaluation sites representative of the intended area of use of the germplasm across South Texas. Following selection, outplants were grown from the original seed stock of each of the 5 accessions, were increased in isolation, and then blended for release in order to preserve genetic integrity of each source population. Nueces Germplasm represents the first selected, ecotypic seed source of sand dropseed for use in South Texas.

Ramadero Germplasm spike lovegrass (Eragrostis spicata Vasey [Poaceae]) is a selected germplasm released for seed production and use in rangeland restoration and reclamation seeding associated with oil and gas exploration in South Texas. Ramadero Germplasm was developed by South Texas Natives and USDA NRCS E “Kika” de la Garza Plant Materials Center. Spike lovegrass is a warm-season, perennial bunchgrass that grows in moist prairies, swales, creeks (“ramaderos”), seasonal wetlands, and in saline and alkaline soils throughout the Rio Grande Plains, Coastal Sand Plains, and Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes of Texas. Ramadero Germplasm was collected from a native population in La Salle County, Texas. This seed source is recommended for use in native seed mixes for rangeland restoration on clay, clay loam, and saline clay ecological sites and in reclamation plantings on sites affected by oil and gas exploration in the Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas production region of Texas. Ramadero Germplasm was selected for release because of excellent comparative growth, indications of region-wide adaptation, and high seed quality when compared with other native grass species and available releases of similar plants at 3 sites within the area of intended use. This release was made in large part because of the need for native seed with natural adaptations to soil characteristics of problematic reclamation sites in the Eagle Ford region.

A commercial blend of 2 selected class germplasm of little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash var. scoparium [Poaceae]) was released in 2015 for rangeland and wildlife habitat restoration seedings in South Texas. Carrizo Blend little bluestem is a post-harvest blend of STN-176 Germplasm and STN-461 Germplasm little bluestems. These selections were made from evaluations of 95 native populations of little bluestem collected from southern Texas that were compared with available commercial standards at 3 evaluation sites in the region. Upon selection, seed stock for release of the 2 selections was grown in isolation using outplants grown from the original wild seed collections to maintain the genetic integrity of the source populations. Carrizo Blend little bluestem represents the first selected, ecotypic seed source of little bluestem for use in South Texas.

•With energy production expanding in the United States, rangelands are increasingly being affected.•We studied three different reseeding techniques for pipeline rights of way restoration on rangelands impacted by energy development in the Eagle Ford Shale play of south Texas.•Techniques studied were 1) broadcast seeding, 2) no-till drill seeding, and 3) hydroseeding.•Using ecotypic native seed mixes, we found that all seeding techniques resulted in successful restoration of rights of ways.•We are working to inform landowners, oil and gas operators, and rangeland professionals of our findings.