In the southern parts, vine-mesquite ( Panicum obtusum H.B.K.) is important on the heavy, adobe soils. The central and high plains give an aspect of a sea of grass.īuffalograss ( Buchloe dactyloides Englem.) occupies heavy soils, especially in the extreme northeast part of the state. Little bluestem ( Schizachyrium scoparium Nash) is common on coarse soils and rocky slopes.įigure 5. Big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii Vitm.) sometimes dominates heavier soils that receive additional run-in water, and sand bluestem ( A. Sideoats grama, hairy grama ( Bouteloua hirsuta Lag.), and galleta are also prominent in some areas, especially on coarser soils and gravelly slopes. Most of the central and high plains is short-grass country, dominated primarily by blue grama (Figure 5). The mean annual precipitation is between 14 and 18 inches, with about 70 percent coming between April and September. The elevation averages between 4,500 and 5,000 feet over most of the region. Much of the eastern half of the state lies in these two rangeland resource areas. Piñon and juniper species occupy shallow soils at higher elevations in the western plateau. The lower elevations are dominated by blue grama.įigure 4. In the open areas, sideoats grama ( Bouteloua curtipendula Torr.), blue grama, and galleta ( Hilaria jamesii Benth.) are important understory forage plants. These plants have also moved into some of the better grassland soils. Livestock graze crested wheatgrass that was seeded following big sagebrush control on a northern desert range.Īt the higher elevations of the western plateau, piñon pine ( Pinus edulis Engelm.) and several species of juniper ( Juniperus spp.) occupy mostly rocky ridges and shallow soils (Figure 4). Western wheatgrass ( Agropyron smithii Rydb.) and blue grama ( Bouteloua gracilis Lag.) are common understory forage grasses.įigure 3. Fourwing saltbush and winterfat are desirable browse plants. Big sagebrush is most common where soils are alkali-free, and it spreads in areas of grazing abuse. Howell) are the most important shrubs (Figure 3). In the northern desert, big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata Nutt.), fourwing saltbush ( Atriplex canescens Nutt.), and winterfat ( Ceratoides lanata J.T. The average elevation is around 5,500 to 6,000 feet. The northern desert, western plateau, and high valley region of northwestern New Mexico receives about 10 to 14 inches of precipitation annually. Northern Desert, Western Plateau, and High Valley Creosote bush and mesquite dominate much of the range in the southern desert region. Forage production is usually low and uncertain, so that range management is quite difficult.įigure 2. Most of it comes during July, August, and September. Precipitation is less than 12 inches annually and variable. The combination of overgrazing and drought over the past 100 years has worked to the advantage of undesirable shrubs. Much of the southern desert area now occupied by creosote bush and mesquite once produced mostly black grama and other valuable grasses (Figure 2). Some of the most common plants are creosote bush ( Larrea tridentata Coville), mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa Torr.), cacti ( Opuntia spp.), black grama ( Bouteloua eriopoda Torr.), tobosa ( Hilaria mutica Benth.), and dropseeds ( Sporobolus spp.). This area follows the Rio Grande north into the southern part of Sandoval County. ![]() ![]() The southern desert and basin occupies much of southern New Mexico at elevations between 3,000 and 5,000 feet. Used with permission.) Southern Desert and Basin ![]() The northern desert, western plateau, and high valley areas are enough alike to be described together, as are the central and high plains areas and the southern desert and basin.įigure 1. Rangeland Areas of New Mexicoįigure 1 represents the major rangeland areas in New Mexico. The 85 discussed here are most important to the livestock industry. There are more than 3,000 species of plants in New Mexico. A successful rancher knows the plants on his or her range. The kinds of plants that grow on a range, along with their quality and quantity, determine its value. New Mexico contains almost 78 million acres, more than 90 percent of which is in native vegetation grazed by domestic livestock and wildlife. Rangeland Areas of New Mexico Grasses Forbs Trees and Shrubs Allison and Nick Ashcroft College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State UniversityĪuthors: Respectively, Range Management Specialist and Department Head and Range Management Specialist, both of the Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, New Mexico State University.
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