Using Soil Science to Restore Desert Grasslands in Big Bend National Park

Beginning in 2004, the National Park Service began experimenting with mulch, branch mulch, rock mulch, and various planting techniques in highly degraded and eroded soils in Big Bend National Park (BIBE) in the Chihuahuan Desert grasslands of western Texas. The goal was to restore the banded vegetation to naturally direct rainfall and runoff, assist water infiltration, and reduce erosion. Mulch was sourced by recycling "waste" branches from other fuel reduction and invasive species removal projects. The team applied hydromulching and placed 1m thick branch mulch on top of native grass seeds. Areas with branch mulch showed improved soil health and increased forb cover.