Rangeland Ecology & Management

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BUFFELGRASS AND MULE DEER IN THE STATE OF SONORA, MEXICO: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.
Author
Ibarra-Flores, Fernando A.
Martin, Martha H.
Ortega-Santos, J. Alfonso
Fimbres-Preciado, Jesus J.
Ibarra-Martin, Fernando A.
Retes, Rafael
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2016
Body

Large Matorral areas in Sonora Mexico have been inter-seeded with buffelgrass for beef production. Ranchers prefer the species because it is easy to establish, requires low rainfall; has high productivity, good forage value and sustains overgrazing. The species is causing a monoculture problem on areas where complete brush clearing occurred for grass establishment. It is considered an invader; it is apparently displacing native species and is either limiting or reducing diversity on rangelands. Many scientists and ranchers do not completely agree with these evidences. With good plant establishment practices and proper management strategies, most natives not only can be kept on place, but can be spread while increasing buffelgrass forage productivity. Management of mule deer populations is getting very important for ranchers because of the extra income they get from the range with hunting. One mule deer trophy can produce up to 10,000 dollars profit, while a cow can yield from 470 to 705 dollars per year. This means a rancher can achieve the same amount of money with one mule deer trophy as compared with 14 to 21 productive cows. Studies have shown that buffelgrass is not an important component on mule deer diets; however, ranchers keep seeing high mule deer populations feeding in buffelgrass pastures. Deer possibly is consuming more grass than we think. We believe young leaves and shoots may be playing an important part on deer diets selection but young fresh leaf tissue may be disappearing during the digestion process. This may be the reason why buffelgrass does not appear on fecal samples. Ranchers wonder, if buffelgrass is not an important specie for mule deer then why big, mule deer trophies have been consistently harvested on buffelgrass improved rangelands. Research studies are required to understand the reason why deer populations seem to like these habitats.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Corpus Christi, TX