Pecos and Staked Plains
(Area - 12,831,925 ha)
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State Plans
New Mexico
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Location and physiography - The Staked and Pecos Plains
cover the western panhandle of Texas, the west end of the panhandle of Oklahoma, and
extensive areas in eastern New Mexico. These high and dry plains are covered with a
shortgrass prairie dominated by grama and buffalo grasses. There are also extensive areas
of shinnery, a midgrass prairie with low shrubs. The area grades into taller grass to the
east, to Trans-Pecos shrub savannah to the south, and more chaparral and pinyon-juniper
in the Mesas and Plains area to the west. The northern border of Oklahoma is established
as an arbitrary northern limit.
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Conservation issues and recommendations - Much of this area is used for ranching and thus remains in relatively good condition to support native bird populations. Conversion to agriculture with the use of circle-pivot irrigation is taking its toll, however, particularly in eastern portions. A careful grazing regime with some rest and rotation that allows moderate fuel buildup for occasional fires will provide longterm benefit both to the rancher and the birds. Prairie dog towns, greatly diminished, provide conditions preferred by some priority birds. Prairie dog eradication should be terminated. The shrubland component used by some of the highest priority birds, including the Lesser Prairie- Chicken, should no longer be eliminated through herbicide treatment. Lesser Prairie- Chicken management needs to be aggressive to halt the decline of this rare bird. Native rangeland surrounding lek sites must be retained and grazing managed to create conditions required by the birds. Ephemeral playas and non-riparian wetlands are unique features of this physiographic area in which grazing and water level management can benefit many birds. Termination of residual pesticide run-off, dumping of oil and gas waste by-products and disruption of clay bottoms for the creation of more permanent water sources will maintain playa conditions needed by birds.
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