Species Richness: Diversity as a Measure of Management Success

Concept
An increase in diversity of both plant life and animal life is one measure of improving ecological status for the habitats available on this land, because it suggests a richer environment, approaching that of a healthy, natural ecosystem. Managing for diversity rebuilds food webs and provides a more robust support for wildlife of all types. In order to manage for diversity, and track progress, a baseline study is necessary. In this case, due to time constraints, census and identification of all wildlife classes was not possible in the baseline period. Moreover, interventions began at almost the same time as observations (with removal of invasive Ashe juniper from the main grassland in fall 2000) and continued throughout 2001 (removal of grazing pressure, construction of first gabions to control erosion, seeding of buffalo grass in some areas, mowing). Thus, although not much progress showed in vegetation by January 2002, the baseline data are not pure or complete, in terms of being pre-intervention and including all wildlife classes. Still, within each group, it is possible to compare later species counts to earlier ones.

Floristic Quality is another measure, but difficult to apply here because "conservative" species vary from region to region, and most of the published data are for prairies far north of here (Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, a few from Konza Prairie in Kansas. Many of the conservative and invasive species listed in The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook do not even grow this far south and no FQ has been published for central Texas grasslands. For that reason, increased diversity of native grasses and forbs forms the basis for management here.

Methods
In later years, observations and identification of additional classes of wildlife (such as Odonates) allowed more detailed tracking of progress. Unfamiliar species (and many familiar ones) are photographed as an aid to identification, and when necessary images are sent to experts for assistance. Besides the references listed in the Reference Shelf file, we consult BugGuide.net, Odonata Central, Herps of Texas, and other online sites. Plant species are added to the file Plantlist. Animal species are added to the file Zoolist-minus-birds (for nonbirds) or AviSys (bird-tracking software.) Periodically, totals from these lists are transferred here, to determine diversity of plant life, animal life, and total species on the property.

Baseline
Identified as of January 2002, the result of observation from August 2000 through January 2002 (prior to purchase and first year of ownership.) Though intervention started in fall/winter of 2000/2001, this should be a reasonable baseline even though not all seen were identified. Most grasses, woody plants, vines, and forbs were identified as were most birds and mammals. Changes in species number, distribution, and abundance became obvious in 2003, and has continued for almost every class of living thing.

Plants:
Grass: 21 species (several more not identified) including major native prairie components
Woody plants: 33 species (a few not identified)
Vines: 8 species (2 grapes not identified to species level)
Forbs: 62 species (many not identified)
     plant total: 91
Animals:
Mammals: 13 species (vole and mouse not positively identified though seen)
Birds: 65 species (many not identified)
Snakes: 6 species seen, 4 identified
     animal total: 84
          Total: 175 sp.

July 1, 2002

Plants:
Grass: 22
Woody plants: 34
Vines: 10 species
Forbs: 62+
     plant total: 128
Animals:
Mammals: 14 species
Birds: 87 species (more not identified) (101 species by October 2002)
Snakes: 8 species seen, 5 identified
Turtles: 2 species seen
Lizards: 4 species seen, 3 identified
Amphibians: 3 species seen, 2 identified.
Fish: 2 seen, one (central stoneroller) identified
Butterflies: 18+ seen, 14 identified.
     animal total: 136
          Total: 246

January 2003

Plants:
Grasses: 23
Woody plants: 34
Vines: 10 species
Forbs: 62+
     plant total: 129
Animals:
Birds: 112 species (114, 1/26) (118, 2/17.)
     animal total 161
          Total: 290

April 2003

Plants:
Grasses: 36
Woody plants: 40
Vines 10
Forbs: 79
     plant total 165
Animals:
Birds: 119 sp. by 3/28
Mammals: 19
Snakes: 12
Turtles: 3
Lizards: 4
Butterflies: 24
     animal total 181
          Total: 346

March 2004

Plants:
Grasses:
Woody plants:
Vines:
Forbs:
Animals:
Birds: 125
Mammals: 19
Snakes: 12
Turtles: 3
Lizards: 4
Butterflies: 24

October 2004

Plants:
Grasses: 47
Woody plants: 36
Vines: 11
Forbs: 74
     plant total 168
Animals:
Birds: 130
Mammals: 19
Snakes: 12
Turtles: 3
Amphibians: 2
Lizards: 4
Butterflies: 25
Dragonflies & damselflies: 11
Spiders: 5
Ticks: 1
Crayfish: 1 (not yet ID'd)
     animal total 212
          Total: 380

March 7,
2005

Plants:
Grasses: 47
Woody plants: 36
Cacti: 3
Sedges/rushes: 5
Lichens: 3
Vines: 11
Forbs: 74
     plant total 179
Animals:
Birds: 135
Mammals: 20
Fish: 2
Amphibians: 3
Reptiles: 20
Crayfish: 1
Butterflies/moths: 25
Dragonflies & damselflies: 11
Other insects/arachnids: 24
     animal total: 241
          Total: 420
Increase since January 2002: plants from 91 to 179, animals from 84 to 241, total from 175 to 420. (by April 2005 had added 2 aquatic plants and a couple more terrestrials.)

May 5, 2005

In past two months have added 1 species grass (Texas bluestem), a lizard (ground skink), a butterfly (California Sister), 5 species of birds, including a couple of warblers that may nest in this area.

May 24, 2005

Revision of plant list today by families, combining notes and observations and getting them more organized, esp. woody plants and forbs.

Plants:
Grasses: 47
Woody plants: 44
Cacti: 3
Sedges/rushes: 5
Algae: 2
Lichens: 3
Vines: 15
Forbs: 121
     plant total:240
Animals:
Birds: 135
Mammals: 20
Fish: 4
Amphibians: 3
Reptiles: 22
Crayfish: 1
Butterflies/moths: 32
Dragonflies & damselflies: 11
Other insects/arachnids: 24
     animal total: 252
          Total: 492

June 21

Birds: 135
Mammals: 20
Fish: 4+
Amphibians: 4
Reptiles: 22
Crayfish: 1
Dragonflies: 19
Butterflies: 36
Other insects/arachnids: 48
     animal total: 289 >>> 529 using May's plant count

July 7, 2005

Birds: 135
Mammals: 20
Fish: 4+
Amphibians: 4
Reptiles: 22
Crayfish: 1
Dragonflies: 22
Butterflies: 36
Other insects/arachnids: 49

October 30, 2005

Plants:
Woody plants: 44
Cacti: 3
Grasses: 47
Sedges/rushes: 5
Lichens: 3 Algae: 2
Vines: 15
Forbs: 127
     Total plants: 244
Animals:
Birds: 135
Mammals: 20
Fish: 4+
Amphibians: 4
Reptiles: 23
Crayfish: 1
Dragonflies: 26
Butterflies: 36
Other insects/arachnids: 60
     Total animals: 309
          Total: 553

April 2006

Plants:
Woody plants: 48 (includes woody plants set out this spring)
Cacti: 5
Grasses: 50
Sedges/rushes:5
Lichens:3
Algae:2
Vines:15
Forbs: 127
     Total plants: 255 (July, 259)
Animals:
Birds: 142
Mammals: 20
Fish: 4
Amphibians: 6
Reptiles: 23
Crayfish & isopods: 2
Dragonflies & damselflies: 33
Butterflies & moths: 45
Other insects: 53
Arachnids: 19
Snails: 2
     Total animals: 349
          Total: 604

Total animals June 5: 366 (224 nonbird, 142 bird), with total 621 overall
               July 20:     (225 nonbird, 142 bird) with total 626
               Aug 27:     (225 nonbird, 144 bird) with total 628

September 11, 2006

Plants
Woody plants: 48 (includes woody plants set out this spring)
Cacti: 5
Grasses: 50
Sedges/rushes:5
Lichens:3
Algae:3
Vines:17
Forbs: 127
     Total plants: 258

Animals
Birds: 145
Mammals: 20
Fish: 4
Amphibians: 6
Reptiles: 26
Crayfish & isopods: 2
Dragonflies & damselflies: 40
Butterflies & moths: 51
Other insects: 65
Arachnids: 19
Snails: 2
Other invertebrates: 5
     Total animals: 385 (230 photographed as of 10/06)
          Total: 643

January 1, 2007

Plants, Non-vascular
Mosses: 2
Liverworts: 1
Lichens:11
Algae:3
      Total non-vascular 17

Plants, Vascular
Woody plants: 49 (includes woody plants set out this spring)
Cacti: 5
Grasses: 50
Sedges/rushes:5
Vines:17
Forbs: 127
      Total vascular plants: 253
     Total all plants: 270

Animals
Birds: 145
Mammals: 20
Fish: 4
Amphibians: 6
Reptiles: 26
Crayfish & isopods: 2
Dragonflies & damselflies: 40
Butterflies & moths: 55
Other insects: 65
Arachnids: 19
Snails: 2
Other invertebrates: 5
      Total animals: 389 (230 photographed as of 10/06)
         Total: 659

March 31,2007 (plants only)

Plants, Nonvascular
Mosses: 2
Liverworts: 1
Lichens:32
Algae:3
      Total non-vascular 38

Plants, Vascular
Woody plants: 54 (includes woody plants set out this spring)
Cacti: 5
Grasses: 50
Sedges/rushes:5
Vines:18
Forbs: 134
      Total vascular plants: 267
      Total all plants: 305

May 12, 2007

Animals
Birds: 149
Mammals: 20
Fish: 4
Amphibians: 6
Reptiles: 26
Crayfish & isopods: 3
Dragonflies & damselflies: 40
Butterflies & moths: 67
Butterflies 58
Moths 9
Other insects: 73
Mantids/walkingsticks 2
Hemiptera 11
Neuroptera 4
Coleoptera 15
Diptera 17
Hymenoptera 17
Orthoptera 9
Arachnids: 20
Snails: 6
Other invertebrates:
      Total animals: 418 (281 photo)
      Total plants (using March data) 305
         Total species: 723

July, 12, 2007

Plants, Nonvascular
Mosses: 2
Liverworts: 1
Lichens:33
Algae:3
      Total non-vascular 39

Plants, Vascular
Woody plants: 55 (includes woody plants set out this spring)
Cacti: 5
Grasses: 50
Sedges/rushes:5
Vines:18
Forbs: 138
      Total vascular plants: 271
      Total all plants: 310

Animals
Birds: 149
Mammals: 20
Fish: 4
Amphibians: 7
Reptiles: 26
Crayfish & isopods: 3
Dragonflies & damselflies: 44
Butterflies & moths: 70
Butterflies 59
Moths 11
Other insects: 73
Mantids/walkingsticks 2
Hemiptera 11
Neuroptera 4
Coleoptera 17
Diptera 17
Hymenoptera 17
Orthoptera 9
Arachnids: 22
Snails: 6
Other invertebrates: 4
      Total invertebrates: 213
      Total vertebrates (inc birds): 205
      Total animals: 418
      Total plants 310
         Total species: 728