Evaluation of facilitated succession at Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area in South Texas.

Authors

• Frank W. Judd, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Robert I. Lonard, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Gary L. Waggerman

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2002

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of re-vegetation efforts which have been ongoing in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas since 1958. Species composition, richness and diversity were evaluated in an undisturbed native woodland, a site planted with late successional species in 1961 (facilitated succession) and a farm field abandoned in 1974 (unaided succession) in northwestern Cameron County. Species richness and diversity for both trees and shrubs were greatest in the native woodland site. While there was greater similarity in species composition between the native woodland and the facilitated succession sites, species diversity in the tree and shrub layers of the facilitated succession site is still significantly lower than the native woodland site.

Comments

Copyright 2002 Texas Academy of Science.

Recommended Citation

Judd, Frank W., Robert I. Lonard, and Gary L. Waggerman. 2002. “Evaluation of Facilitated Succession at Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area in South Texas.” The Texas Journal of Science 54 (2): 163–77.

Publication Title

Texas Journal of Science