Physiographic features

The sites are on nearly level to gently sloping undulating uplands. They occupy benches, in shallow valleys between steeper limestone hills, on tops of ridges, on side slopes of low hills, or as the cap on remnants of high gently sloping plateaus. Slopes are plane to complex, well drained, with low to very high runoff, depending on slope.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)

Climatic features

The climate in the MLRA 81B is subtropical subhumid on the eastern portion and subtropical steppe on the western portion of the MLRA. Winters are dry, and the summers are hot and humid. The precipitation increases from west to east and the temperatures increase from north to south. The area usually receives 65 to 70 percent sunshine each year. The majority of the rainfall occurs during the warm months of April to October. Most precipitation comes from thunderstorms that vary in the amount of water received and the areas covered. Spring is characterized by fluctuating patterns, but mild temperatures prevail. July and August are relatively dry and hot with little weather variability day-to-day. As summer progresses through fall, an increase of precipitation usually occurs in the eastern portions while a decrease of precipitation occurs to the west. Winter temperatures are mild, but polar Canadian air masses bring rapid drops in temperature. These cold spells last 2 or 3 days. Prevailing winds are southerly with March and April the windiest months.

Table 4. Representative climatic features

Climate stations used

• (1) FREDERICKSBURG [USC00413329], Fredericksburg, TX

• (2) BRADY [USC00411017], Brady, TX

• (3) EDEN [USC00412741], Eden, TX

• (4) FT MCKAVETT [USC00413257], Fort Mc Kavett, TX

• (5) HUNT 10 W [USC00414375], Hunt, TX

• (6) JUNCTION 4SSW [USC00414670], Junction, TX

• (7) JUNCTION KIMBLE CO AP [USW00013973], Junction, TX

• (8) MENARD [USC00415822], Menard, TX

• (9) ROCKSPRINGS 1S [USC00417706], Rocksprings, TX

• (10) SAN SABA [USC00417992], San Saba, TX

Influencing water features

This is an upland site and is not influenced by water from a wetland or stream.

Wetland description

N/A

Soil features

Soils are brown to very dark grayish brown or dark reddish gray, shallow to moderately deep, and neutral to slightly alkaline clay loams. Depth ranges from 10 to 40 inches over limestone bedrock but most are 10 to 20 inches. Permeability is slow. Soil series correlated to this site include: Corkstone, Hensley, Speck, and Tarpley.

Table 5. Representative soil features

Table 6. Representative soil features (actual values)

Animal community

This site is used to produce domestic livestock and to provide habitat for native wildlife. Cow-calf operations are the primary livestock enterprise, although stocker cattle are also grazed. Sheep, Angora goats, and Spanish goats were formerly raised in large numbers. Sheep are still present in reduced numbers, while meat goats are now present in fairly high numbers. Boer goats have been introduced, either purebred or crossed with Spanish goats, to obtain a larger meat animal. Reports indicate that Boers do not browse as heavily as earlier breeds.

Sustainable stocking rates have declined drastically over the past 100 years due to deterioration of the reference plant community. An assessment of vegetation is needed to determine the site’s current carrying capacity. Calculations used to determine livestock stocking rate should be based on forage production remaining after determining use by resident wildlife, then refined by frequent careful observation of the plant community’s response to animal foraging.

A large diversity of wildlife is native to this site. In the reference plant community, migrating bison, grazing primarily during wetter periods, pronghorn, white-tailed deer and turkey were the more predominant herbivore species. With the subsequent transformation of the plant community, due primarily to the influence of man and climate change, the kind and proportion of wildlife species have been altered.

Except for a few domestic herds, bison have been eliminated. With the eradication of the screwworm fly, increase in woody vegetation and man-suppressed natural predation, deer numbers have increased and are often in excess of carrying capacity. Where deer numbers are excessive, overbrowsing and overuse of preferred forbs causes deterioration of the plant community. Progressive management of deer populations through hunting can keep populations in balance and provide an economically important ranching enterprise. Achieving a balance between brushy cover and more open plant communities on this and adjacent sites is important to deer management. Competition among deer, sheep, and goats must be a consideration in livestock and wildlife management to prevent damage to the plant community.

Various species of exotic wildlife have been introduced on the site, including deer such as axis, sika, fallow, and red; antelope such as sable, oryx, blackbuck, and nilgai, and sheep such as barbados (mouflon) and aoudad with various degrees of success. Their numbers must be included along with livestock and native wildlife, primarily white-tailed deer, in any management plan. Feral hogs may feed on the site. They can be damaging to the plant community if their numbers are not managed. Smaller mammals include many kinds of rodents, jackrabbit, cottontail, raccoon, ringtail, skunk, and armadillo. Mammalian predators include coyote, red fox, gray fox, bobcat, and mountain lion. Wolves were common in earlier times, bears resided in some areas, and an occasional jaguar or ocelot was encountered. Many species of snakes and lizards are native to the site.

Many species of birds are found on this site including game birds, songbirds, and birds of prey. Major game birds that are economically important are turkey, bobwhite quail, scaled (blue) quail and mourning dove. Turkeys prefer plant communities with substantial amounts of shrubs and trees interspersed with grassland. Quail prefer a combination of low shrubs, bunch grass (critical for nesting cover), bare ground, and low successional forbs. The different species of songbirds vary in their habitat preferences. Habitat on this site that provides a large diversity of grasses, forbs, and shrubs will support a good variety and abundance of songbirds. Birds of prey are important to keep the numbers of rodents, rabbits, and snakes in balance. Different species of raptors benefit from a diverse plant community as well.

Hydrological functions

The hydrology functions according to the existing plant community and its management. The water cycle functions most effectively when the site is dominated by mid and tall bunchgrasses. Rapid rainfall infiltration, high soil organic matter, good soil structure, and good porosity exist with a good cover of bunchgrass. Quality of surface runoff is high with low erosion and sedimentation levels. The higher infiltration rates facilitate water movement to deeper root zones and below, contributing to the recharge of aquifers and sustained streamflow.

In case of loss of bunchgrass and ground cover, the hydrologic cycle is impaired. Infiltration is decreased and runoff is increased due to poor ground cover, rainfall splash, soil capping, low organic matter, and poor structure. Some infiltration can still occur due to surface cracking of the soil when dry. A sparse ground cover combined with heavy rainfall contributes to increased frequency of flooding in a watershed, accelerated soil erosion, poor surface runoff, and increased sedimentation.

As the site becomes dominated by woody species the water cycle is further altered. An increase of woody species is matched by a decline in grass cover, duplicating some of the results of heavy abusive grazing. Increased interception of rainfall by tree canopies and its subsequent evaporation reduces the amount of water reaching the surface. The funneling effect of the canopy produces higher stemflow, concentrating more soil moisture at tree bases. Increased transpiration reduces deep percolation. Brush management combined with good grazing management can help restore the natural hydrology of the site.

Recreational uses

The Redland usually has a scenic setting, bordered by rolling hills or steep bluffs. The abundant mid and tall grasses and scattered oaks produce beautiful fall colors variations. The area is also popular for hunting, birding, hiking, and other eco-tourism related activities.

Wood products

Mesquite and oaks can be used for firewood and the specialty wood industry. Ashe juniper is often used for fence posts. A type of oil can be extracted from dry Ashe juniper wood.

Other products

Some of the bedrock is mined commercially for building stone or crushed rock.

Other references

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Contributors

Bruce Deere
Edits by Travis Waiser, MLRA Leader, NRCS, Kerrville, TX

Approval

Bryan Christensen, 9/19/2023

Acknowledgments

QC/QA completed by:
Bryan Christensen, SRESS, NRCS, Temple, TX
Erin Hourihan, ESDQS, NRCS, Temple, TX