"Invasion Biology"

Since the beginning of time, species have spread and contracted their ranges. A variety of factors including weather and climate influenced their spread and movement. Arguably, one of the most important modern factors is human influence.

"Invasion Biology"

Desert Habitat Restoration: Opposing Assumptions about Wildlife Biodiversity

Pictured below are 10 species of animals photographed in our mountains at Circle Ranch during Spring 2015.  Conventional wildlife “management” says six of these species should be removed as they are assumed to “harm” desert bighorn sheep, desert mule deer, pronghorn and their habitat. CLICK HERE FOR 75 PHOTOS: Diablo

"Invasion Biology"

2.7 Million Creatures Killed Last Year in U.S.'s Secretive War on Animals

Publicly-funded wildlife eradications are a big surprise to many people. NOTE:orginially appeared on TheDodo.com Nearly 7,400 wild animals were slaughtered every single day on average across the U.S. last year — not by hunters or poachers, but by a government agency whose stated mission is “to resolve

"Invasion Biology"

Defending Beef—The Case for Sustainable Meat Production

This is the best and easiest-to-understand book about why sustainable ranching is necessary for a healthy environment. It is a must-read for every landowner, rancher, wildlife manager, conservationist, wild horse advocate, hunter, wildlifer, and consumer. Defending Beef—The Case for Sustainable Meat Production. The Manifesto of an Environmental Lawyer and

"Invasion Biology"

CKI Studies Scaled Quail Decline

This study of blue (scaled) quail decline, conducted by  the Caesar Kleberg Institute, finds that brush removal, monocultures of non-native grasses and cattle removal cause blue quail numbers to fall.     The prescriptions would seem obvious: graze cattle in ways that help plants, preserve brush, and get lots of weeds growing

"Invasion Biology"

Glyphosate Is Anything But Safe

Under our industrial agricultural methods, virtually all of our major crops are being grown with GMO seeds designed to withstand glyphosate, more commonly known by its trade name Roundup®. Seeds are planted. After they sprout, the fields are poisoned, up to three different times, to kill all weeds. This poison

"Invasion Biology"

Crop Herbicides Play a Role in Shrinking Monarch Population

A kaleidoscope of monarch butterflies hangs from a tree branch in the Piedra Herrada sanctuary near Valle de Bravo, Mexico. Photo: Rebecca Blackwell /Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A butterfly being considered for federal protection is emblematic of the plight that pollinating insects face in part because farmers, enticed by

"Invasion Biology"

Desert Restoration: Insights From the Human Body

Holistic thinkers rightly point out the health of wildlife and its habitat depends on the health of soil particularly its life-giving microorganisms. Here is a wonderful TED Talk discussing how microorganisms determine human health and behavior. Did you know there are 10X as many micro-organic cells in your body as

"Invasion Biology"

Wildlife Numbers Drop by Half Since 1970, Report Says

Biodiversity loss in our Southwestern deserts is part of a larger global trend. Wildlife “management” is making this worse.   NOTE: Originally appeared on WSJ.com September 30, 2014. It was written by Gautam Naik.   Analysis by WWF and Others Was Based on Thousands of Species in Rivers, on Land and

"Invasion Biology"

Game Videos Fall 2014

These videos were taken at what we call Sheep Tank, a water point that overlooks one of our largest canyons. Many species share this water, with no visible conflict with each other, or harm to habitat.   Big Horn: Elk: Mule Deer: Quail: Others: Biodiversity is good, not bad, for our

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands. EARTH A New Wild - Episode 2 - Plains

EARTH: A New Wild takes a fresh look at humankind’s relationship to the planet’s wildest places and most fascinating species. Produced by National Geographic Studios in association with Passion Planet, the series is hosted by Dr. M. Sanjayan, leading conservation scientist, who takes viewers on a stunning visual

"Invasion Biology"

After Slow, Cold Trip Across Pacific, Sea Creatures Find Little Warmth

Every single day for uncounted millions of years, billions of pieces of flotsam – many bearing lifeforms – have drifted onto beaches across the world. Here is an example of the utterly futile, wasteful and presumptuous efforts to interrupt this natural evolutionary process – which is as old as life itself – by attacking

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands or Creating Desert Badlands?

For 60 years, this National Park Service land has been “protected” from cattle, unintentionally accelerating its desertification. Here is a typical Big Wildlife program being pursued at Big Bend National Park to “protect” degrading habitat.   (ABOVE PDF can be viewed here -> ) I don’t doubt the sincerity or

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands: Circle Ranch Jardineros

When we use our Yeomans Keyline plow to subsoil and stimulate desert ranges and plants, we take pains not to plow through cholla cactus, armadillo bush, allthorn, sumac, mesquite, and other trees and shrubs. This often leaves untreated spots. These we address with animal impact from cattle, which we move

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands: Thistle and the Yeomans Keyline Plow

Thistle, also known as the “Tumbling Tumbleweed” is an iconic Western plant.  Even though it is despised by many as an “invasive” “exotic”, it is probably the single best rescue plant for our declining desert grasslands.  Better still, its seeds are provided for free by Mother Nature. Here is an

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands: A Video Comparison of Cattle, Water Harvesting and Keyline as a Safer, Cheaper and Faster Alternative to Spike

Here is a well-intentioned but ill-advised project for “restoration” of desert grasslands.   The Rest of The Story…   BLM is spending $30 million on 500,000 acres: $60 an acre.  The objective is to kill all creosote and mesquite; thereafter, the staffers propose to use fire to “maintain the landscape.” Bad

"Invasion Biology"

The Role of Aoudad in Restoration of High-Desert Mountain Wildlife and Habitat

At Circle Ranch we understand that biodiversity is good, not bad, and act accordingly.  In that context, here is common sense on aoudad.   The Ammotragus Advantage …by Brandt Buchanan   To begin, I would like to declare that the following theories have not been proven by any specific study pertaining to

"Invasion Biology"

Cows and Keyline: Restoring Desert Grasslands

This 17-minute video, “Cows and Keyline” discusses the use of cattle and the Yeomans Keyline plow as the quickest, cheapest, and safest way to restore desert grasslands. It also documents a project to repair a gully formed by an old road. Aerial photography provides graphic comparisons of the result of

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands: A New Book by Allan Savory

It is hard to believe that the common sense contained in this little book has generated such anger and controversy. Holistic planned grazing uses domestic animals as replacements for the great wild herds that once roamed our grasslands. Beginning with a simple explanation of the physiological need of grasslands for

"Invasion Biology"

Desert Restoration: Aoudad, Mule Deer and Summer Rain

These short videos were taken in August 2014 at “Sheep Tank,” which is on the south edge of the Circle Ranch, at an elevation of approximately 5,500 feet. Sheep Tank is in a long, broad valley, which is approximately 1,000 feet higher than our lowest desert, and 1,

"Invasion Biology"

High-Desert Restoration Technicians: June 2014

Bighorn and aoudad play an indispensable role in maintaining healthy habitat in the extreme upper elevations of our far-West Texas mountains. Contrary to game manager ‘urban legend’, these animals are socially compatible, and improve habitat conditions for one another. Here are cool videos of bighorn and aoudad sharing water, taken

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands: Yeomans Keyline Subsoiling Results at the Circle Ranch, August 2014

Here is a cheap, fast, environmentally-friendly alternative to range poisoning with herbicides. When combined with holistic planned grazing of cattle, and a diverse population of wild animals, this practice leads to rapid conversion of subsoil to topsoil, increases soil fertility,  improves and restores water function, and, is sustainable. Beginning in

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands with Livestock

Last week we posted a brief explanation of Keyline theory.  This week, we share a concise explanation of holistic planned grazing, which uses animal impact to restore grasslands.   By Carol Dreibelbis In this series, we interview inspiring people that our readers have nominated. These individuals are working on the front

"Invasion Biology"

Virus Plagues the Pork Industry, and Environmentalists

The major killers of humanity throughout our recent history: smallpox, flu, tuberculosis, malaria, plague, measles and cholera, are infectious diseases that evolved from animal diseases. Because humans lived in close proximity to these confined animals, their diseases transferred to humans. Mad Cow Disease probably transferred to humans because cattle offal,

"Invasion Biology"

Planned Grazing Restoring Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands in Mexico

As you travel south from far West Texas, crossing the Rio Grande, you encounter the huge grasslands of the Northern Mexico area of the Great Chihuahuan Desert. This country is very similar to the Circle Ranch, and has experienced the same degradation from human impact that we see across the

"Invasion Biology"

Bacon Preservative Tested as Feral Hog Poison

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Tests Wild Pig Poison Dispensers at Kerr Wildlife ‘Management’ Area   NOTE: Post Originally appeared in San Antonio Express News on June 21, 2014   NEW ORLEANS — A preservative used to cure bacon is being tested as poison for the nation’s estimated 5 million feral hogs.