Drought, dams, and invasive species have drastically altered watercourses like the Rio Grande River. Areas that traditionally supported riparian vegetation contend with altered site potential stemming from modified hydrology and soil properties. The largest hydropower dam on the Rio Grande River is Elephant Butte, which primarily controls the water released in south-central New Mexico, the quantity varies year-to-year resulting in subsequent water table lowering. Restoration projects aimed at reestablishing riparian vegetation contend with difficult conditions. One solution is to supply water via irrigation or methods that target water delivery to seedling roots. Our objective was to evaluate biodegradable water delivery system developed by the Land Life Company. We conducted a trial in May 2014, which represented the harshest conditions (i.e., hot and dry) this monsoonal system experiences. We planted one-year old Rio Grande Cottonwood (Populus deltoides subsp. wislizeni) seedlings in three types of water delivery vessels and had a control without a vessel. Survival was universally low (2.4%) due to water loss and harsh conditions. We conducted an additional planting in the fall, which is a recommended time for seedling transplants in this system. In addition to cottonwood we assessed a drought tolerant species, desert willow (Chilopsis linearis). One vessel design, with a water capacity of 22 liters, was used with an addition of peat-moss/sand mix. The treatments included, vessels with and without peat-moss and a no vessel control. Survival for cottonwood was low due to seedling removal and herbivory by mammals. Desert willow survival was higher with peat-moss treatments (42%) compared to the controls (16%), however there was no difference between the peat-moss treatments, suggesting no advantage of the water delivery vessels. Our preliminary data illustrates challenges associated with establishing riparian vegetation in the southwest and suggests that it may not be enough to "just add water".
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.