September 03 2007
Edge effect on warblers are harmful with increase in cowbird predation, cats, jays
- Millet brought cowbirds. No more millet
Caretaker's note: An edge is a boundary between a grassland and a woodland. An edge effect occurs when one species predates on another within the edge. For example, predatory species (feral cats, cowbirds, fire ants) will move into the edge of the woodland up to a 100 yards or more. watersto_jennystone's goal in reducing edge effects is to maintain a contiguous dense canopy that is undisturbed with trails or excessive clearing.
Neighbor running chainsaws all day for Ashe juniper removal
Caretaker's note: It is popular for landowners in the Texas Hill Country to remove Ashe juniper. This tree is locally called a "cedar". Myths abound about this much maligned native species. Some believe that the Ashe juniper steals water from other nearby trees and plants. In fact, all trees and plants compete for limited ground water resources. The Ashe juniper is beneficial for many wildlife species: for food, cover and shelter. Poor land management practices over many generations, like overgrazing, have allowed this species to thrive and become aggressive.
The Ashe juniper is a first succession plant, that can grow where almost nothing else can in poor conditions. The thin leaves drop to form soil. Ashe juniper should be managed, but not totally eradicated. This tree is critical to the survival of the endangered Golden-cheeked warbler who uses strips of the easily peeled bark to build its nest. Diversity is a useful goal in any wildlife area and Ashe juniper should never be totally removed. See: Untwisting the Cedar: The myths and culture of the Ashe Juniper tree for more information.
Posted in 2007 Journal, Habitat, Predator
