The use of tamarisk by the Mexican beaver in Big Bend National Park, Texas
Feeley B and Connor J. 1977. The use of tamarisk by the Mexican beaver in Big Bend National Park, Texas
The purpose of this study was to examine beaver populations (Castor canadensis) in relation to cottonwood (Populus fremontii Wats.) and tamarisk populations (Tamarix pentandra Pall.) along the Rio Grande river in Big Bend National Park, Texas. This small area of Chihuahuan Desert habitat still holds a pure sub-species of beaver (C. canadensis mexicanus) (Frank Deckert, pers. comm.). Since cottonwoods are a preferred food of the beaver the park is concerned about the unstable cottonwood populations. Such instability is caused by overgrazing by trespass Mexican livestock and harsh environmental conditions that may encourage the increase of the introduced phreatophyte, tamarisk. Tamarisk is known to replace unstable populations of cottonwood and willow (Salix), all three of which are present along the floodplain of the Rio Grande. Tamarisk is of interest to much of the Southwestern United States as a ground-water consumer, and because of its persistence and endurance as an introduced species. Tamarisk is known to replace native vegetation which could force the beaver to seek other areas for food.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Feeley, Brooke; Connor, Jeff
- Date of Issue
- 1977-01-05
- Units
- BIBE
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, beaver (Castor canadensis) - Rodentia - Castoridae, Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) - Salicaceae, livestock trespass, salt cedar (Tamarix) - Tamariaceae