Diversity and ChallengesThe Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands are some of the most picturesque and biologically diverse regions of the world. Mountain ranges erupt from the desert floor and exceed elevations of 8,000 feet. This contrast in elevation greatly affects the diversity that occurs in the Chihuahuan Desert. From desert grasslands to cienegas to ponderosa pine forests, plant communities and plant species are diverse with over 2,000 known species. These diverse habitats also support a large variety of wildlife species.

The Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands are experiencing unprecedented pressures on its natural resources. Population growth, habitat fragmentation, and invasive species coupled with frequent droughts make conservation and management of the natural resources especially challenging.

As one of the least populated regions in the world, the Borderlands are also one of the least understood regions. Relatively few studies have been conducted on the unique flora and fauna. This lack of information ultimately handicaps landowners and land managers who are trying to effectively manage their wildlife and rangeland resources.

MissionThe mission of the Borderlands Research Institute for Natural Resource Management is to help conserve the natural resources of the Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands through research, education, and outreach.

The goal of the Borderlands Research Institute is to provide land managers with the most current scientific information on the management of natural resources of the area.

To meet this goal, the Institute plans and conducts research investigations on various aspects of the natural world and provides the results to the land managers so that they may more effectively manage the resources with which they are entrusted.

HistoryUnderstanding the need for information and the value of natural resource conservation, Sul Ross State University created the Borderlands Research Institute for Natural Resource Management in spring 2007. The Institute is a natural expansion of a long-lasting partnership between private landowners; the Range and Wildlife Program at Sul Ross State University; and cooperating state, federal, and non-government organizations.

The Range and Wildlife Management program at Sul Ross was founded over 50 years ago on a simple notion “to obtain practical information to benefit land management decisions.” The Borderlands Research Institute will continue with that tradition by focusing our research efforts on three interrelated emphases: 1) wildlife ecology and management, 2) rangeland restoration and management, and 3) conservation of biodiversity.

Our Role in ConservationWe define conservation as “the care and management of natural resources.” Scientific inquiry is the backbone of conservation; without science our ability to make management decisions is diminished. The Borderlands Research Institute conducts research investigations on wildlife, rangelands, and the biodiversity of the Chihuahuan Desert to advance our understanding and our ability to make management decisions.

Wildlife Ecology and ManagementOne of our focus areas is the large mammal research program. The Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands have a mixture of large mammals that is unparalleled, including desert mule deer, pronghorn, desert bighorn sheep, Carmen Mountain white-tailed deer, and elk. Despite this variety of large game and their economic importance, there is relatively little information available regarding their management. Research on these large mammals will continue to be a priority for our researchers.

Other areas of focus for our wildlife research program include restoration of diminishing big game populations, gamebird ecology and management, and wildlife-livestock-habitat relationships. Scaled and Gambel’s quail, white-winged and mourning dove, as well as other gamebirds occur in abundance throughout much of the Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands. Research efforts will focus on better understanding the population dynamics of these species and their habitat interactions.

The Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands have a mixture of large mammals

that is unparalleled.

Rangeland Restoration and ManagementThe Borderlands region also contains a wide variety of geologic and soil types, as well as significant climatic variation which yields many different vegetation communities. This vegetation is important to land managers as they work with livestock, wildlife, watersheds, riparian areas, and aesthetics of the land.

Our primary focus is rangeland restoration. For many reasons, the present vegetation community may not meet a landowner’s needs for managing livestock, wildlife, and water. Large-scale research projects on private lands will encourage the development of economically feasible ways to decrease bare ground cover, reduce undesirable species, and increase preferred plant species. To support the main focus of the range research program and provide information on vegetation management, we will also work on establishing a native plant materials center to be used for restoration efforts, utilizing fire as a management tool, promoting the removal and management of invasive plants, and managing habitat and range resources at watershed levels.

Vegetation is important to land managers as they work with livestock, wildlife, watersheds, riparian areas, and

aesthetics of the land.

Conservation of BiodiversityThe Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands are one of the most diverse regions of the world and supports over 500 species of birds, over 170 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 120 species of mammals. The habitat requirements and population dynamics of songbirds, carnivores, and other nongame species are poorly understood. Researchers will continue to partner with private landowners and other resource agencies to better understand their life history.

A variety of large and medium-sized carnivores can be found throughout the Borderlands including mountain lion, bobcat, black bear, badger, grey fox, coyote, ringtail, and four species of skunk. Researchers will continue to study these apex carnivores to further define their role in maintaining a healthy Chihuahuan Desert Ecosystem. Additionally, the Borderlands boast a wealth of avifauna including prized birds such as Montezuma quail, Aplomado falcons, and sixteen species of hummingbirds. The Big Bend is a birding hotspot with nearly a million visitors a year traveling to the region.

The Big Bend is a birding hotspot with nearly a million visitors a

year traveling to the region.

EducationAs a unit of Sul Ross State University, it is inherent that education is a key element in the mission of the Borderlands Research Institute. The research projects that we conduct, not only advance our ability to manage the natural resources of the Chihuahuan Desert, but they allow us to train and educate the next generation of wildlife biologists, range conservationists, and ranch managers.

Both undergraduate and graduate students are an integral part of our research team. The practical experiences gained by our students allow them to succeed as future resource managers. Our students frequently gain employment with state and federal resource agencies or with private consultants and ranches.

OutreachAs researchers and educators, one of our biggest challenges is bridging the gap between research, teaching, and outreach. This is especially true when it comes to getting pertinent information in the hands of those who make the most difference—land managers. As we discover practical solutions to natural resource management problems, we will share those solutions with private landowners and other resource managers via publications, websites, seminars, and workshops. The Borderlands Research Institute is committed to providing information to resource managers so they can make informed decisions regarding natural resource conservation.