Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Work on the Leon River Restoration Project was concluded. Instrumentation of springs and small watersheds was completed and baseline data is being collected. The impacts of clearing brush on infiltration and sediment production was determined using rainfall simulators. This rsearch was reported in a thesis by Courtney Greer. The work is being continued by other researchers.
Impacts
The results of these studies will help predict brush management by shearing impacts on infiltration rates and sediment yields for the Edwards Plateau and Cross Timbers regions of Texas.
Publications
- Greer, Courtney Hale. 2005. Hydrologic impacts of mechanical clearing of Ashe juniper in Coryell County, Texas. MS Thesis. Texas A&M University.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Work on the Leon River Restoration Project was started. Instrumentation of four springs and five small watersheds was completed and baseline data is being collected. Rainfall simulator plost were run on 192 plots to evaluate the impact of Ashe juniper removal on hydrology. Two grauate students should finih their thesis research in 2005.
Impacts
The results of these studies will help predict rangeland management practices on water quality and yield for the Hill Country and Cross Timbers areas.
Publications
- Wilcox, Brad, Keith Owens, Robert Knight, Robert Lyons. 2004. Do woody plants affect streamflow on semiarid karst rangelands? Ecological Applications. In press.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Research on the impact of land management practices was conducted on the Welder Wildlife Refuge near Sinton, TX. Impact of herbicide application and prescribed fire on hydrological parameters was investigated. This research will continue for several years. Research results are described in a thesis by Michael Stewart (see below). Work on the Leon River Restoration Project was started. Instrumentation of springs and small watersheds was completed and baseline data is being collected.
Impacts
The results of these studies will help predict rangeland management practices on water quality and yield for the Texas Coastal Plains and the Hill Country.
Publications
- Stewart, Michael. 2003. Effect of shrub management techniques on water quality and quantity on coastal bend rangeland. MS thesis. Texas A&M University.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
A study on the impacts of range management practices (grazing, burning and herbicidal brush control) on water quality was installed on the Welder Wildlife Foundation. The Welder is located in the coastal prairie of Texas. The study is using several scales of measuring runoff and sediment. Small rainfall simulator plots (0.35 m2), runoff plots (56 m2) and small watersheds of approximately one ha. This study is a cooperative study between the Texas General Land Office, San Patricio Soil and Water Conservation District, Welder Wildlife Foundation and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. The treatments were installed during the summer of 2001. The first runoff event occurred in early September following a 457 mm rainfall event over four days. A thesis project on the study should be completed in Spring 2003. A study on the impact of juniper removal on water quality, yield and vegetation changes has been started on the Leon River Watershed near Gatesville, TX. Four
springs are currently being monitored for water use by juniper.
Impacts
This study will complement a study conducted on cropland. The data from this study will fill a void on range management impacts on water quality in the Coastal Bend of Texas.
Publications
- Knight, R.W.. 2002. Management Applications of Water Quality Information on Rangelands. Welder Wildlife Bulletin. Sept. 2002
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Progress 09/04/96 to 09/03/02
Outputs
Research on the impacts of pine straw harvesting on infiltration rates and sediment production was conducted on two sites in Arkansas at Winrock and the near the Boonville ARS Center. A total of 144 plots were run. Measurements were completed in October 1994 and May 1995. A total of 24 infiltration plots were run at the Winrock site and 48 plots at the Boonville site on each sample date. No results can be reported because of improper treatment installation by site personnel. A project investigating the influence of filter strips on runoff water quality was finished on the Range Field Lab by College Station. Results indicate that there may be some elevation of nutrient levels in the runoff if an event occurs within three weeks of application. Any runoff following the first event usually has levels of nutrients equal to pretreatment. A Lower Colorado River Authority study on the impact of brush management on sediment production had the first two sets of samples collected
in summer 1996. The treatments installed were considered best management practices for juniper control in Blanco and Llano counties. Work on the Leon River Restoration Project was concluded. Instrumentation of springs and small watersheds was completed and baseline data was collected. The impacts of clearing brush on infiltration and sediment production was determined using rainfall simulators. This research was reported in a thesis by Courtney Greer. The work is being continued by other researchers. Research on the impact of land management practices was conducted on the Welder Wildlife Refuge near Sinton, TX. Impact of herbicide application and prescribed fire on hydrological parameters was investigated. Research results are described in a thesis by Michael Stewart.
Impacts
The results of these studies will help predict brush management by shearing impacts on infiltration rates and sediment yields for the Edwards Plateau and Cross Timbers regions of Texas.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
A study on the impacts of range management practices (grazing, burning and herbicidal brush control) on water quality was installed on the Welder Wildlife Foundation. The Welder is located in the coastal prairie of Texas. The study is using several scales of measuring runoff and sediment. Small rainfall simulator plots (0.35 m2), runoff plots (56 m2) and small watersheds of approximately one ha. This study is a cooperative study between the Texas General Land Office, San Patricio Soil and Water Conservation District, Welder Wildlife Foundation and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. The treatments were installed during the summer of 2001. The first runoff event occurred in early September following a 457 mm rainfall event over four days. A thesis project on the study should be completed in Fall 2002.
Impacts
This study will complement a study conducted on cropland. The data from this study will fill a void on range management impacts on water quality in the Coastal Bend of Texas.
Publications
- Knight, Robert W. 2001. Maintaining Healthy Watersheds on Small Acreages. Proceedings: Small Acreage Workshop. Kerrville, TX.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
A project investigating the influence of filter strips on runoff water quality was finished on the Range Field Lab by College Station. Poultry manure was applied to the demonstration watersheds on May 23, 1997, December 16, 1997, May 12, 1998, January 4, 1999 and the final application on April 15, 1999. Forage and soil samples were collected at the time of application to monitor soil and plant responses to the manure. Water samples were collected from the runoff from each treatment to assess nutrient movement and loading related to the manure applications. A field day (17 July, 1998) was conducted in conjunction with Forage Field Day that had over 300 people in attendance from over 25 counties. A one page hand-out regarding the results of our demonstration was provided. We continue to provide updated information to our Texas Agriculture Extension Service colleagues regarding the results of our work, which they use when talking with clientele. On January 26-27, 1998 a
poster summarizing our work to date was presented at the National Conservation Buffer Initiative Science and Technology Conference in San Antonio, TX. This conference was co-sponsored by the Conservation Technology Information Center, National Association of Conservation Districts, National Conservation Buffer Council, National Conservation Buffer Initiative, U.S. Environment Protection Agency, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. On April 6-9, 1998 a paper and poster was presented at the EPA Region 6 Nonpoint Source Watershed Management Conference in Baton Rouge, LA. The presentation was entitled "Conservation Buffer Filter Strips in Agricultural Settings." A presentation of the first six months observations was presented at the Water Resources Research Conference in Denver, Colorado May 27-30, 1998. The title of the presentation was "The Capacity of Native Vegetation Filter Strips to Improve Quality Runoff." A presentation of the
first year of information, entitled "Improving Water Quality with the Use of Native Vegetation Filter Strips." was presented on October 21, 1998 at the Agronomy Society Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD. A presentation was made on July 20, 1999 at the American Society of Agricultural Engineers annual meeting summarizing the lessons learned as a result of monitoring this demonstration project on the effectiveness of buffer strips.
Impacts
Results of the buffer strip study indicate that there may be some elevation of nutrient levels in the runoff if an event occurs within three weeks of application. Any runoff following the first event usually had levels of nutrients equal to pretreatment.
Publications
- Landry, M.S. and T.L. Thurow. 1997. Function and Design of Vegetation Filter Strips: An Annotated Bibliography. Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board. Bulletin No. 97-1 66p.
- Landry, M.S. and T.L. Thurow. 1998. Water quality impacts of prescribed burning in the Post Oak Savannah region of Texas. p. 159-165. Rangeland Management and Water Resources Proceedings. American Water Research Association, Herndon, VA.
- Landry, M.S., T.L. Thurow and R.W. Knight. 1998. The capacity of native vegetation filter strips to improve quality of runoff. p. 409-416. Watershed Management: Moving from theory to implementation Proceedings. Water Environment Federation, Alexandra, VA.
- Landry, M.S., T.L. Thurow and R.W. Knight. 1998. Improving water quality with the use of a native vegetation filter strip. p. 173. Abstracts - American Society of Agronomy Annual Meeting. Baltimore, MD.
- Landry, M.S., T.L. Thurow and R.W. Knight. 1999. Effectiveness of native vegetation filter strips at reducing bacteria and nutrients in runoff from manure application sites. Abstracts - Agricultural Engineering Society of America. Toronto, Canada.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
A Lower Colorado River Authority study on the impact of brush management on sediment production was finished after 3 years of data collection. The treatments installed were considered best management practices for juniper control in Blanco and Llano counties. A project investigating the influence of filter strips on runoff water quality from land treated with poultry manure was finished on the Range Field Lab by College Station. Results indicate that there may be some elevation of nutrient levels in the runoff if an event occurs within three weeks of application. Any runoff following the first event usually has levels of nutrients equal to pretreatment.
Impacts
The results of this study will impact management of land that is managed for brush density reduction. This reduction may be for increasing forage or water yields. The results from the poultry manure study can be used to develop application guidelines for poultry manure applications on rangelands.
Publications
- Knight. Robert W. and T.L. Thurow. 1999. Final report submitted to Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board on poultry waste filter strip study. Only progress reports and final reports at this time. Publications are in development.
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
Research on the impacts of pine straw harvesting on infiltration rates and sediment production was finished at two sites in Arkansas, Winrock and the near the Boonville ARS Center. A total of 144 plots have been run. Measurements were completed in October 1994 and May 1995. A total of 24 infiltration plots were run at the Winrock site and 48 plots at the Boonville site on each sample date. Another site near Alexandria, Louisiana had a total of 42 plots run twicw ayear for 3 years. A Lower Colorado River Authority study on the impact of brush management on sediment production was finished after 3 years of data collection. The treatments installed were considered best management practices for juniper control in Blanco and Llano counties.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Newman, Wesley. 1998. Water quality following application of picloram, triclopyr, and tebuthiuron on South Texas rangeland. M.S. Thesis. Texas A&M Univ., College Station. 95 p.
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
Research on the impacts of pine straw harvesting on infiltration rates and sediment production has been conducted on two sites in Arkansas, Winrock and the near the Boonville ARS Center. A total of 144 plots have been run. Measurements were completed in October 1994 and May 1995. A total of 24 infiltration plots were run at the Winrock site and 48 plots at the Boonville site on each sample date. A Lower Colorado River Authority study on the impact of brush management on sediment production had the first four sets of samples collected in summers 1996 and 1997. The treatments installed were considered best management practices for juniper control in Blanco and Llano counties. The study will have at least another year of data. No conclusions can be made from the data at this time.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Knight, Robert W. 1997. Scholarly work includes several field days, talks and a news article. There were no published works during this period.
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
Research on the impacts of pine straw harvesting on infiltration rates and sediment production has been conducted on two sites in Arkansas, Winrock and the near the Boonville ARS Center. A total of 144 plots have been run. Measurements were completed in October 1994 and May 1995. A total of 24 infiltration plots were run at the Winrock site and 48 plots at the Boonville site on each sample date. A Lower Colorado River Authority study on the impact of brush management on sediment production had the first two sets of samples collected in summer 1996. The treatments installed were considered best management practices for juniper control in Blanco and Llano counties. The study will have at least another year of data and may be extended for a third year. No conclusions can be made from the data at this time.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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