Through GIS analysis of aerial photographs, Miller et al. evaluated vegetation alteration and mudflat/open-water-area landscape changes, and the disturbance agents related to any changes from 1939-1991. The National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Texas, along the Gulf coast, has a history of cattle grazing, prescribed fire and lesser snow geese herbivory since its establishment in 1968. Landscape changes by establishment of permanent mudflat formation is likely to result from a combination of disturbance agents, including extreme environmental conditions (salinity, water level, etc.). Lesser snow geese increased on three management units evaluated by aerial photography, although the aerial photography was not frequent enough to link individual disturbances to the creation of mudflats by disturbance events. The resilience of the plant communities was linked to the mudflat increase.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.