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Basal cover and standing crop of herbaceous vegetation were measured during 1979 and 1980 at 0.3-m intervals along transects radiating from individual lotebush canopies in each cardinal direction. Basal covers and standing crops were generally least near the shrubs, regardless of season. However, buffalograss was less abundant in the shrub-free zones than near the lotebusb plants. Texas wintergrass basal cover and standing crop were greatest in shrub-free areas except at the north and east driplines, where environmental conditions were apparently ameliorated by the lotebushes. Japanese brome and sand dropseed were most abundant in those zones where buffalograss and Texas wintergrass influences were least. These results Indicate that lotebush has a minimal influence on grass cover, and that the major impact is concentrated beneath the shrub canopies. Lotebush, a spinescent, highly branched shrub with grayishgreen, grooved twigs, is usually 1 to 3 m tall (Correll and Johnston 1979). Leaves are alternate, ovate to oblong, with serrate margins. Although lotebush occurs throughout Texas at elevations ranging from 1,500 m to sea level, it is not abundant in east Texas or the northern Panhandle (Vines 1960). It often occurs as a codominant woody plant with honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr. var. glandulosa) on rangelands in the Rolling Plains of north Texas. Lotebush rarely occurs in stands at densities equal to those of honey mesquite. However, it often becomes the dominant woody plant following control of honey mesquite because it resists herbicidal, mechanical, and prescribed burning brush control methods (Scifres and Kothmann 1976, Dodd 1968, Neuenschwander et al. 1976). Previous studies have generally disregarded the ecological significance of lotebush on rangeland. However, it is known that the shrub provides loafing cover for bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) (Renwald et al. 1978); produces browse for livestock (Askins and Turner 1972, Ueckert 1980); sprouts profusely following top removal (Scifres and Kothmann 1976); and does not establish but few seedlings in any given year (Speer and Wright 1981). Woody plants may affect associated herbaceous vegetation by altering species composition, plant density, and plant vigor. One of the most commonly cited interactions between woody shrubs and herbs is competition for soil water (Glendening 1952, Paulsen 1953, Reynolds and Bohning 1956, Cable and Tschirley 1961, Paulsen 1975, Martin 1975). Brock et al. (1978) reported that 3 vegetation zones were associated with honey mesquite in north Texas. Vegetation in the canopy zone (area inside the dripline) was dominated by Texas wintergrass (Stipa leucorrichaTrin. & Rupr.), Arizona cottontop (Digitaria califomica [Benth.] Henr.), and bufAuthors arc research assistant and Thomas M. O’Connor professor, Department of Range Science, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-2126; and associate professor, Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, P.O. Box 1658. Vernon 76384 This article is approved by the Director. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, as TA-18795. The authors wish to thank Julia Scifres for manuscript typing and preparation. The W.T. Waggoner Estate is gratefully acknowledged for furnishing land for this research. Manuscript accepted November 7, 1983 JOURNAL OF RANGE MANAGEMENT 37(4), July 1984 falograss (Buchfoe dactyloides [Nutt.] Engelm.). The transition zone, that region between the canopy and interstitial zones, was dominated by Texas wintergrass and buffalograss, while buffalograss was the dominant in the interstitial zone. Effects of shrubs on forage production are generally perceived to be negative; however, Tiedemann and Klemmedson (1973, 1977) have reported that mesquite (Prosopis julifora [Swartz] DC.) enhances the establishment and growth of herbaceous species. They attributed the positive influence to reduced net radiation and soil temperatures in the canopy zone compared to the interstitial areas. Scifres et al. (1982) found that standing crop of Texas wintergrass increased as huisache (Acaciajamesiana [L.] Willd.) canopy cover increased to 30% on the Texas Coastal Prairie. Huisache plants apparently ameliorate the environment of the canopy zone as does mesquite, thus providing favorable conditions for Texas wintergrass growth and development. The objective of this study was to quantify the ecological relationship between lotebush and the native herbaceous vegetation in the Rolling Plains. Experimental Procedures Study Area Research was conducted approximately 20 km south of Vernon, Texas, on the W.T. Waggoner Estate (33’ 56’ N, 99’ 16’ W). Site elevation was 336 m. Mean annual temperatures at Vernon range from a minimum of 5.7’C in January to a maximum of 29.8’C in July (USDC 1980). Average number of frost-free growing days is approximately 222, and extends from late March to early November. Annual precipitation averages 56.2 cm and ranges from 2.4 cm in January to 11.9 cm in May. Soil at the study site was Tillman clay loam (Fine, mixed, thermic, Typic Paleustolls), which is a deep, well-drained, slowly permeable soil formed in clayey alluvium derived from redbed clays and shales. Range site classification was Clay Loam (USDA 1974). Climax vegetation is dominated by sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula [Michx.] Torr.), vine-mesquite (Panicum obtusum H.B.K.), Arizona cottontop, and buffalograss. Forbs and woody plants account for less than 5% of the climax vegetation. Herbaceous vegetation at the study site was dominated by buffalograss, Texas wintergrass, Japanese brome (Bromus japonicus Thunb.), and sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus [Torr.] Gray). Heath aster (Aster ericoides L.) and common broomweed (Xanthocephalum dracunculoides [DC.] Shinners) were the most common forbs. Lotebushes 1.5 to 1.9 m tall were prevalent on the study area and occurred in association only with scattered, small honey mesquite plants. Honey mesquite on the site was hand grubbed in 1951 and the remainder basally treated with diesel oil in 1966. Grazing by domestic livestock had been limited to the dormant season for at least 10 years.

Herbaceous Vegetation-Lotebush [Ziziphus obtusifolia (T. & G.) Gray var. obtusifolia] Interactions in North Texas