State Wildlife Action Plan for New Mexico

Chihuahuan Ruderal Grassland

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Chihuahuan Ruderal Grassland

SWAP Habitat

Chihuahuan Ruderal Grassland

NVC Name

North American Warm Desert Ruderal Scrub and Grassland (M512)

SWAP General Vegetation Type

DESERT GRASSLAND and SCRUB

Habitat Size

1522 square miles

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Chihuahuan Ruderal Grassland

Chihuahuan Ruderal Grassland is the third most common habitat in this ecoregion occupying at least 5% of the area. It includes both grasslands dominated by non-native grasses and thorn scrub dominated by native, invasive shrubs. It typically occurs in historically heavily impacted pastures, old fields, and other disturbed sites.

The grasslands are commonly dominated by Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana) and buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare), but weedy natives such as purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea) and burrograss (Scleropogon brevifolius) may be prevalent.
Honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) dominates where it has invaded the upland grasslands or developed into coppice dunes following disturbance of sandy sites.
Forbs can also be common and dominated by weedy species (e.g., carelessweed [Amaranthus palmeri] and silverleaf nightshade [Solanum elaeagnifolium]).
During the last century, the area occupied by this ruderal desert thornscrub habitat has increased as a result of the conversion of desert grasslands driven by drought, overgrazing, honey mesquite seed dispersion by livestock, and/or decreases in fire frequency.

Threats and Conservation Actions

ECOREGION

THREAT

Result for: All

Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases

As needed, gather additional information regarding the distribution of tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) and other exotic plants in riparian habitats (e.g., NHNM 2023). Determine the impact of exotic plants, and their removal and reduction, on SGCN and their habitats. Create and implement site-specific plans, with measurable goals and objectives, to restore the historic structure and composition of riparian habitats while minimizing negative impacts on SGCN and soil health (Wagner 2023). Prioritize removal of monoculture stands of non-native plants (e.g., Johnson et al. 2018) and ensure that sufficient native riparian vegetation is locally available to SGCN and that local hydrological conditions support native vegetation regrowth. Since pollinating insects may use exotic riparian plants (e.g., Pendleton et al. 2011), minimize impacts of removing these plants on pollinating insect SGCN, including by avoiding herbicide application when plants are in bloom and treating the focal area in stages. Include post-implementation monitoring and maintenance for all riparian restoration projects. Document and report restoration approaches used, including successes and failures (Shafroth et al. 2008, Sogge et al. 2013). Potential collaborators: BLM, BOR, NPS, NRCS, USACE, USFS, USFWS, NMDA, SFD, SLO, SWCDs, universities, non-profit organizations, private landowners.

Agriculture and Aquaculture Energy Production and Mining Human Intrusions and Disturbance Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases Transportation and Service Corridors

Assess the synergistic effects between climate change and other threats to SGCN and their habitats (e.g., Friggens et al. 2019, Parks et al. 2019). Incorporate appropriate climate adaptation strategies and frameworks into projects designed to address these synergistic effects. This may include enhancing connectivity (CEQ 2023), facilitating a species’ innate adaptive capacity (Thurman et al. 2022), enhancing genetic diversity (Powell 2023), considering local adaptation (Meek et al. 2023), or considering whether it is most appropriate to resist, accept, or direct ecosystem transformation (Lynch et al. 2021, Stevens et al. 2021). Projects should acknowledge ecosystem dynamism and incorporate indigenous knowledge (e.g., Roos et al. 2022, Eisenberg et al. 2024), nature-based solutions (Warnell et al. 2023), and experimentation (Guiterman et al. 2022) when appropriate. Potential collaborators: BLM, NPS, USFS, USFWS, USGS, universities, Tribal natural-resource managers.

Agriculture and Aquaculture

Balance irrigation and groundwater demands with the needs of aquatic communities, particularly those supporting native fish, amphibian, and springsnail populations. This may include promoting a transition from irrigated to dryland farming in areas where groundwater pumping and water scarcity threaten SGCN and their habitats. Potential collaborators: BOR, NRCS, USACE, NMOSE, non-profit organizations, private landowners, Tribal natural-resource managers, water-management districts.

Agriculture and Aquaculture Energy Production and Mining Human Intrusions and Disturbance Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases Transportation and Service Corridors

Collaborate with interested and willing land managers and private landowners to designate protected areas or implement conservation easements for lands that encompass important SGCN habitats. Potential collaborators: BLM, NPS, NRCS, USFS, USFWS, SLO, non-profit organizations, private landowners.

Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases

Consider the impact of honeybee (Apis spp.) apiaries on wildlands and restrict their placement in areas where native bee SGCN occur. Honeybees can pose a disease spillover risk for wild bees (Tehel et al. 2016). Potential collaborators: universities, non-profit organizations, private landowners.

Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases

Continue current efforts to prevent the infestation of aquatic habitats in New Mexico by zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (D. bugensis) and other aquatic invasive species. This includes informing anglers and boaters on the importance of not introducing invasive and other problematic species and providing them with information on how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Potential collaborators: BLM, BOR, USACE, USFS, NMED, NMSP, universities, non-profit organizations.

Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases

Design and implement protocols for early detection of invasive and problematic species, including feral ungulates, and diseases. Quickly respond to detection. Potential collaborators: BLM, NPS, NRCS, USFS, USFWS, NMDA, NMED, SLO, universities, private landowners.

Agriculture and Aquaculture

Determine how timing, intensity, and duration of livestock grazing affect SGCN and their habitats, including the interactions among grazing, fire, and the spread of invasive and problematic species and among grazing, soil erosion (e.g., Pilon et al. 2017), and native riparian vegetation growth (e.g., Lucas et al. 2004). Potential collaborators: BLM, NRCS, USFS, NMDA, SLO, universities, private landowners, Tribal natural-resource managers.

Agriculture and Aquaculture Energy Production and Mining Human Intrusions and Disturbance Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases Transportation and Service Corridors

Determine life history needs, ecology, distribution, movements, status, and trends of and threats to SGCN (especially invertebrates that are not currently monitored, riparian-obligate species, herpetofauna [Pierce et al. 2016, Olson and Pilliod 2022], and rare native fishes) and their habitats. Consider full annual cycles for migratory species when appropriate and logistically feasible (KFF 2021) and interactions with lower trophic levels that may drive SGCN status (e.g., EPA 2023). Use this information to develop and implement effective monitoring protocols and conservation actions, including actions to mitigate identified threats. Potential collaborators: BLM, BOR, NPS, USFS, USFWS, SLO, universities, non-profit organizations, private industry, species working groups, Tribal natural-resource managers.

Related Resources

Terrestrial Habitats section in SWAP document