Kazmaier et al. looked at the effects of cattle grazing on the habitat selection of the Texas tortoise. Tortoises preferred areas of multiple canopy layers of woody brush, while avoiding riparian areas and old-fields (grasslands). Riparian areas lacked herbaceous vegetation and were higher in predators. Old fields, or grasslands, were avoided due to lack of mobility with the increase of grass and the lack of canopy cover. However, the authors conclude that mechanical means of converting shrublands into grasslands for increased cattle forage would have little effect on the Texas tortoise because most of the converted fields are quickly turning back into a thicker shrub habitat.
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.