The Distribution of Creosotebush in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico as Affected by Selected Soil Properties

Abstract

AbstractMorphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical studies were made on 32 pedons from west Texas and southeastern New Mexico to evaluate edaphic factors related to creosotebush [Larrea tridentata (D.C.)] distribution.Creosotebush grows on soils with a wide range of properties. The soils studied were well drained and generally moderately developed, as indicated by horizonation and carbonate redistribution. The data indicate that gravel content and depth to free CaCO3 are the most important soil factors affecting distribution of the shrub in the study area. Soils low in gravel and noncalcareous at the surface tend to be devoid of the shrub. Soils that support creosotebush are generally calcareous throughout the profile and many have significant amounts of gravel. The complex interactions among other edaphic factors such as texture, available water, salinity in deeper horizons, and gypsum content greatly complicate the resolution of properties influencing distribution.