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<br />I <br />II <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />,n -t,.., ~...,!) <br />C ~,_I _^, ,) . ':J <br /> <br />A number of other species utilize the playa lakes, including predatory <br />and game birds, shorebirds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Some <br />endangered and threatened species may utilize larger playa lakes, including <br />the black-footed ferret, whooping crane, bald eagle, and prairie falcons. <br /> <br />Curtis and Beierman, 1980, characterized the playa lakes using the <br />Cowardin System (Cowardin, 1977). Most of the playas may be classified as <br />pal ustrine with less than 20 surface acres, less than 2 meters depth and <br />greater than 30% coverage with emergent vegetation. These were commonly <br />emergent wetlands and vegetated or mud flats. Detailed information may be <br />found in the Playa Lakes Characterization Study (Curtis and Beierman, 1980). <br /> <br />The significance of the playa lakes to the studies of the Ogallala <br />Aquifer lie in the potential for modification of these lakes. Bolen et al., <br />1979, estimates that at least 85% of the playa lakes have been modified. <br />These modifications may be for the purpose of gaining agricultural acreage, <br />conservi ng water and/or rechargi ng the ground water. Dependi ng on the <br />method and extent of modification, the wetl and val ue of the pl ayas may be <br />enhanced or destroyed. <br /> <br />New Mexico <br /> <br />The predominant section in the New Mexico High Plains is the Grama- <br />Buffalograss section. The Grama-Tobosa section is found just to the south <br />and west (Curtis and Beierman, 1980). Native grasses are mostly short and <br />mi d-grasses. These incl ude bl ue grama, hai ry grama, bl ack grama, buffa 10- <br />grass, side-oats grama, little bluestem and needle and thread grass. <br />Associated species may include cholla, prickly pear cactus, broom snakeweed, <br />yucca and forbs. Some areas are brushlands dominated, including species such <br />as bi g sagebrush, rabbitbrush and gambel oak in the north, and mesquite, <br />shinnery oak and creosote bush in the south. <br /> <br />Riparian associations are mostly saltcedar, cottonwood and willow, with <br />saltcedar often predominating. These are limited to the larger stream and <br />river channels. <br /> <br />1-25 <br />