Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

Threat PNVT: Mixed Grass Prairie PNVT: Shinnery OakMining (Caliche)Oil/Gas development Activities that alter structure, composition and process:

- Removal of vegetation (Roads and pads can lead to loss of natural soil productivity)- Limited extent at landscape scale- Fragmentation

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Irretrievable removal of brush component (Roads and pads can lead to loss of natural soil productivity)- Limited extent at landscape scale- Fragmentation

Water withdrawalWind Farms (Potential) Activities that alter structure, composition and process:

- Removal of vegetation (Roads and pads can lead to loss of natural soil productivity)- Limited extent at landscape scale- Fragmentation

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Removal of vegetation (Roads and pads can lead to loss of natural soil productivity)- Fragmentation

Fuelwood collectionLivestock grazing Livestock Grazing

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Alteration to structure of vegetation through foraging and trampling- Surface alteration from trails- Introduction of exotics through manure- Compositional change from cool-season to warm-season grasses from continuous yearlong - Fencing helps control herbivory and utilization within pastures- Concentration of cattle near water developments leads to compaction and removal of vegetation- Grazing can reduces fine fuels that would help carry fires

Livestock GrazingActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Alteration to structure of vegetation through foraging and trampling- Surface alteration from trails- Introduction of exotics through manure- Compositional change from cool-season to warm-season grasses from continuous yearlong - Fencing helps control herbivory and utilization within pastures- Concentration of cattle near water developments leads to compaction and removal of vegetation- Grazing can remove fine fuels that would help carry fires

Hunting-gatheringAgriculture (Conversion to Cropland)

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

Threat PNVT: Mixed Grass Prairie PNVT: Shinnery OakDam/Impoundments/Flood Control (Small Earthen Dams)

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Changes vegetation composition and structure- Limited extent at landscape scale- Prevents natural flood regime, which affects downstream vegetation composition and structure

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Changes vegetation composition and structure- Limited extent- Prevents natural flood regime, which affects downstream vegetation composition and structure

Fire Management Fire Management

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Fire suppression leads to encroachment of woody species- Prescribed burning changes successional stages structurally and compositionally- Prescribed burning can affect rotation and timing of livestock grazing- Forest Service policy may constrain ability to conduct prescribed burning

Fire ManagementActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Fire suppression leads to encroachment of woody species- Prescribed burning changes successional stages structurally and compositionally- Prescribed burning can affect rotation and timing of livestock grazing- Forest Service policy may constrain ability to conduct prescribed burning

Groundwater Depletion Permitting of wells can lead to lowering of Water table - may lead to inability to graze as 

much - our management has negligible effect

Urban Development Urban Development/Fragmentation

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Limits parameters for conducting large, broadcast burns - Leads to fire suppression- Can increase the amount and spread of exotics/invasives

Urban Development/FragmentationActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Limits parameters for conducting large, broadcast burns - Leads to fire suppression- Can increase the amount and spread of exotics/invasives

Herbicide UseVegetation Treatments Vegetation Treatments

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:-Food plots prevents natural vegetation - Limited extent

Exotic and/or Invasives Exotics/Invasive

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Invasive plants outcompete native plants for nutrients, water, and space- Alter fire regime- Wild Pigs - destroy vegetation through trailing, trampling, and rooting (leads to bare soil)

Exotics/InvasiveActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Invasive plants outcompete native plants for nutrients, water, and space- Alter fire regime- Wild Pigs - destroy vegetation through trailing, trampling, and rooting (leads to bare soil)

Fire Suppression Fire Suppression

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Altered fire regime leads to changes in both composition and structure- Suppression can lead to uncharacteristic fire behavior - Limits nutrient cycling and soil productivity (which affects composition and structure)- Suppression leads to woody encroachment- Dozer and grader lines remove vegetation and part of topsoil

Fire SuppressionActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Altered fire regime leads to changes in both composition and structure- Suppression can lead to uncharacteristic fire behavior - Limits nutrient cycling and soil productivity (which affects composition and structure)- Suppression leads to woody encroachment- Dozer and grader lines remove vegetation and part of topsoil

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

Threat PNVT: Mixed Grass Prairie PNVT: Shinnery OakFlooding (Dams/Impoundments)

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Lack of natural floodings leads to changes in vegetation composition and structure-Lead specifically to later successional classes in wooded riparian areas - Retaining water on the landscape has lead to riparian areas that would not have been found prior to placement of impoundments - change from no riparian previously to what is now a wooded riparian

OHV Recreation Activities that alter structure, composition and process:

- Campsites lead to vegetation damage and removal (trampling)- Spread of invasives- Abandoned campfires that may escape

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Abandoned campfires that may escape-Mowing and camping in some dispersed camping areas (limited extent)

Scientific ResearchAgricultural ChemicalsSolid WasteToxic Waste ContaminationGroundwater ContaminationPower Plants and industrySewage, SepticTransportation Infrastructure

Transportation Infrastructure- Irretrievable removal of vegetation- Disruption of natural fire regime due to suppression and fuelbreaks- Right-of-ways, roads, and utility corridors may lead to more invasives- Loss of soil productivity due to road construction - Fragmentation

Transportation Infrastructure- Irretrievable removal of vegetation- Disruption of natural fire regime due to suppression and fuelbreaks- Right-of-ways, roads, and utility corridors may lead to more invasives- Loss of soil productivity due to road construction - Fragmentation

Wildfire Wildfire

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Can lead to an increase in invasive species

Drought During drought, Shinnery can outcompete grasses so grazing management is importantHerbivoryFloodingInsect/Disease 

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

ThreatMining (Caliche)Oil/Gas developmentWater withdrawalWind Farms (Potential)Fuelwood collectionLivestock grazingHunting-gatheringAgriculture (Conversion to Cropland)

PNVT: Mixed Hardwood Riparian PNVT: Sandsage

Livestock GrazingActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Introduction of exotics through manure- Cattle congregating in these areas can cause some compaction, reducing reproduction of vegetation 

Livestock GrazingActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Alteration to structure of vegetation through foraging and trampling- Surface alteration from trails- Introduction of exotics through manure- Fencing helps control herbivory and utilization within pastures- Concentration of cattle near water developments leads to compaction and removal of vegetation- Grazing can remove fine fuels that would help carry fires

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

ThreatDam/Impoundments/Flood Control (Small Earthen Dams)Fire ManagementGroundwater DepletionUrban DevelopmentHerbicide UseVegetation TreatmentsExotic and/or InvasivesFire Suppression

PNVT: Mixed Hardwood Riparian PNVT: Sandsage

 Alters castraphic flood events that would have occurred naturallyFire ManagementActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Not enough ladder fuels and midstory to carry fires through this PNVTExotics/Invasive PlantsActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Competition for nutrients, water, and space (Siberian elm) - Inhibits regeneration of native species- Wild Pigs - destroy vegetation through trailing, trampling, and rooting (leads to bare soil)

Exotics/Invasive PlantsActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Competition for nutrients, water, and space- Alter fire regimeFire SuppressionActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Altered fire regime- Leads to changes in both composition and structure - Leads to uncharacteristic fire behavior- Limits nutrient cycling and soil productivity (which affects composition and structure)- Dozer and grader lines remove vegetation and part of topsoil

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

ThreatFlooding (Dams/Impoundments)OHV RecreationScientific ResearchAgricultural ChemicalsSolid WasteToxic Waste ContaminationGroundwater ContaminationPower Plants and industrySewage, SepticTransportation InfrastructureWildfireDroughtHerbivoryFloodingInsect/Disease 

PNVT: Mixed Hardwood Riparian PNVT: Sandsage

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Lack of natural floodings leads to changes in vegetation composition and structure-Lead specifically to later successional classes in wooded riparian areas - Retaining water on the landscape has lead to riparian areas that would not have been found prior to placement of impoundments - change from no riparian previously to what is now a wooded riparian

Transportation Infrastructure- Irretrievable removal of vegetation- Disruption of natural fire regime due to suppression and fuelbreaks- Right-of-ways, roads, and utility corridors may lead to more invasives- Loss of soil productivity due to road construction - FragmentationWildfireActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- A large fire could reduce structural diversity across the landscape- Can lead to an increase in invasive species- Uncharacteristic fire can lead to altered fire regimeDroughtActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Increased chance for uncharacteristic wildfire, leading to increase in soil erosion (less productivity)- Woody species and shrubs more susceptible to insect/disease outbreaks

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

ThreatMining (Caliche)Oil/Gas developmentWater withdrawalWind Farms (Potential)Fuelwood collectionLivestock grazingHunting-gatheringAgriculture (Conversion to Cropland)

PNVT: Pinon-Juniper PNVT: Shortgrass Prairie

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Temporary removal of vegetation- Extraction of caliche- Limited extent at the landscape scalePotential Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Removal of vegetation (Roads and pads can lead to loss of natural soil productivity)- Limited extent at landscape scale- FragmentationPotential Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Removal of vegetation (Roads and pads can lead to loss of natural soil productivity)- Limited extent at landscape scale- Fragmentation

Livestock GrazingActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Alteration to structure of vegetation through foraging and trampling- Surface alteration from trails- Introduction of exotics through manure- Compositional change from cool-season to warm-season grasses from continuous yearlong - Concentration of cattle near water developments leads to compaction and removal of vegetation- Grazing can remove fine fuels that would help carry fires

Livestock GrazingActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Alteration to structure of vegetation through foraging and trampling- Surface alteration from trails- Introduction of exotics through manure- Compositional change from cool-season to warm-season grasses from continuous yearlong - Fencing helps control herbivory and utilization within pastures- Concentration of cattle near water developments leads to compaction and removal of vegetation- Grazing can remove fine fuels that would help carry fires

HuntingActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Animal retrieval through motorized vehicle use can lead to vegetation damage- Introduction of exotics and invasives- Abandoned campfires that may escape

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

ThreatDam/Impoundments/Flood Control (Small Earthen Dams)Fire ManagementGroundwater DepletionUrban DevelopmentHerbicide UseVegetation TreatmentsExotic and/or InvasivesFire Suppression

PNVT: Pinon-Juniper PNVT: Shortgrass Prairie

Fire ManagementActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Fire suppression leads to encroachment of woody species- Prescribed burning changes successional stages structurally and compositionally- Timing and frequency of prescribed burning can affect structure and composition- Prescribed burning can affect rotation and timing of livestock grazing

Fire ManagementActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Fire suppression leads to encroachment of woody species- Prescribed burning changes successional stages structurally and compositionally- Timin

and frequency of prescribed burning can affect structure and composition- Prescribed burning can affect rotation and timing of livestock grazing- Forest Service policy and funding and climatic factors that affect "burn windows" may constrain ability to conduct prescribed burning at a scale to move toward referenceUrban Development/FragmentationActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Limits parameters for conducting large, broadcast burns - Leads to fire suppression- Can increase the amount and spread of exotics/invasives

Exotics/InvasiveActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Competition for nutrients, water, and space- Alter fire regime

Exotics/Invasive PlantsActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Invasive plants outcompete native plants for nutrients, water, and space- Alter fire regime

Fire SuppressionActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Altered fire regime- Leads to changes in both composition and structure - Leads to uncharacteristic fire behavior- Limits nutrient cycling and soil productivity (which affects composition and structure)- Leads to woody encroachment- Dozer and grader lines remove vegetation and part of topsoil

Fire SuppressionActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Altered fire regime leads to changes in both composition and structure- Suppression can lead to uncharacteristic fire behavior - Limits nutrient cycling and soil productivity (which affects composition and structure)- Suppression leads to woody encroachment- Dozer and grader lines remove vegetation and part of topsoil

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

ThreatFlooding (Dams/Impoundments)OHV RecreationScientific ResearchAgricultural ChemicalsSolid WasteToxic Waste ContaminationGroundwater ContaminationPower Plants and industrySewage, SepticTransportation InfrastructureWildfireDroughtHerbivoryFloodingInsect/Disease 

PNVT: Pinon-Juniper PNVT: Shortgrass Prairie

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Temporary removal of vegetation- Limited extent at landscape scale- Limits productivity and species diversity- Leads to soil compaction and erosion, which affects soil productivity Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Dispersed recreation (camping and hiking) can lead to vegetation trampling, escaped campfires- Limits productivity and species diversity- Can leads to soil compaction and erosion, which affects soil productivityTransportation Infrastructure- Removal of vegetation- Disruption of natural fire regime due to suppression and fuelbreaks- Roads may lead to more invasives- Loss of soil productivity due to road construction - Fragmentation

Transportation Infrastructure- Irretrievable removal of vegetation- Disruption of natural fire regime due to suppression and fuelbreaks- Right-of-ways, roads, and utility corridors may lead to more invasives- Loss of soil productivity due to road construction - Fragmentation

WildfireActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- A large fire could reduce structural diversity across the landscape- Can lead to an increase in invasive species- Uncharacteristic fire can lead to altered fire regime

WildfireActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Can lead to an increase in invasive species

DroughtActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Increased chance for uncharacteristic wildfire, leading to increase in soil erosion (less productivity)- Woody species and shrubs more susceptible to insect/disease outbreaks

DroughtActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Increased chance for uncharacteristic wildfire, leading to increase in soil erosion (less productivity)- Reduction in diversity, especially cool-season grasses- Woody species and shrubs more susceptible to insect/disease outbreaksPrairie dog towns help to mainatin early successional - the loss or limitation of towns effects the ability to maintain early successional compared to reference

Insects: Overstocking and years of successive drought can lead to stressed out trees, which lends to catastrophic insect outbreaks

Range catepillar, grasshopper plagues could destroy native vegetation and affects composition and structure - Plague in prairie dogs can limit the prairie dog towns ability to maintain early successional 

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

ThreatMining (Caliche)Oil/Gas developmentWater withdrawalWind Farms (Potential)Fuelwood collectionLivestock grazingHunting-gatheringAgriculture (Conversion to Cropland)

PNVT: Cottonwood-Willow Air Quality Soil Productivity 

Leads to long-term soil productivity lossAreas that are developed into roads or well pads lead to longterm soil productivity loss Areas that are developed lead to long-term soil productivity lo

Livestock GrazingActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Alteration to structure of vegetation through foraging and trampling- Surface alteration from trails- Introduction of exotics through manure- Compositional change from cool-season to warm-season grasses from continuous yearlong - Fencing helps control herbivory and utilization within pastures- Concentration of cattle near water developments leads to compaction and removal of vegetation- Grazing can remove fine fuels that would help carry fires

Contributes a minor amount of methane 

HuntingActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Animal retrieval through motorized vehicle use can lead to vegetation damage- Introduction of exotics and invasives- Abandoned campfires that may escape

Causes fugitive dust (Fugitive dust is a type of nonpoint source air pollution - small airborne particles that do not originate from a specific point such as a gravel quarry or grain mill. Fugitive dust originates in small quantities over large areas.)

Alters surface soil structure, water and nutrient holding capacincreases potential for erosion and leads to a reduction in soil productivity

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

ThreatDam/Impoundments/Flood Control (Small Earthen Dams)Fire ManagementGroundwater DepletionUrban DevelopmentHerbicide UseVegetation TreatmentsExotic and/or InvasivesFire Suppression

PNVT: Cottonwood-Willow Air Quality Soil Productivity 

Fire ManagementActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Forest Service policy and funding and climatic factors that affect "burn windows" may constrain ability to conduct prescribed burning at a scale to move toward reference

Leads to increased smoke, increasing particulate matter and reducing visibility

Prescribed burning limits severity of wildfires, limiting erosioand enabling soil to retain its long-term productivity 

Effects on soil biology and chemistry Changes in plant communities and woody debris lead to chanin soil producitivity.

Exotics/Invasive PlantsActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Competition for nutrients, water, and space- Inhibits regeneration of native species

Changes in plant communities and woody debris lead to chanin soil producitivity.

Fire SuppressionActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Altered fire regime- Leads to changes in both composition and structure - Leads to uncharacteristic fire behavior- Limits nutrient cycling and soil productivity (which affects composition and structure)- Dozer and grader lines remove vegetation and part of topsoil

Changes in plant communities and woody debris lead to chanin soil producitivity.

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

ThreatFlooding (Dams/Impoundments)OHV RecreationScientific ResearchAgricultural ChemicalsSolid WasteToxic Waste ContaminationGroundwater ContaminationPower Plants and industrySewage, SepticTransportation InfrastructureWildfireDroughtHerbivoryFloodingInsect/Disease 

PNVT: Cottonwood-Willow Air Quality Soil Productivity 

Flooding (Dam/Impoundments)Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Interrupted hydrographs have led to altered flood regime- Leads to changes in both composition and structure - Leads to less age class diversity (more late, less early)

Submersed soils are altered from a natural condition

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Temporary removal of vegetation- Limited extent at landscape scale- Limits productivity and species diversity- Leads to soil compaction and erosion, which affects soil productivity 

Leads to fugitive dust and emissions from vehicles

Soils are compacted and can be displaced - areas within trails have long-term soil productivity loss

Activities that alter structure, composition and process:- Dispersed recreation (camping and hiking) can lead to vegetation trampling, escaped campfires- Limits productivity and species diversity- Can leads to soil compaction and erosion, which affects soil productivity

Leads to soil compaction and erosion, which affects soil productivity

Chemicals alter the chemical and biological processes of soils

Emissions of nitrogen and sulfur compounds lead to acidic deposition which can change plant composition

Acidic deposition alters soil chemistry

Transportation Infrastructure- Removal of vegetation- Disruption of natural fire regime due to suppression and fuelbreaks- Roads may lead to more invasives- Loss of soil productivity due to road construction - Fragmentation

Leads to fugitive dust and emissions from vehicles

Loss of soil productivity due to road construction; areas adjacto the road system experience increase erosion

WildfireActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- A large fire could reduce structural diversity across the landscape- Can lead to an increase in invasive species- Uncharacteristic fire can lead to altered fire regime

Produces smoke - reduces visibility and increases particulate matter in the air

Increased burn severity leads to increased erosion 

DroughtActivities that alter structure, composition and process:- Increased chance for uncharacteristic wildfire, leading to increase in soil erosion (less productivity)- Woody species and shrubs more susceptible to insect/disease outbreaks

Leads to fugitive dust Increased chance for uncharacteristic wildfire, leading to 

increase in soil erosion (less productivity)

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

ThreatMining (Caliche)Oil/Gas developmentWater withdrawalWind Farms (Potential)Fuelwood collectionLivestock grazingHunting-gatheringAgriculture (Conversion to Cropland)

Surface water Groundwater

Quality - Surface water contamination Qualtity - Groundwater contaminationQuantity - Leads to drying of lakes and streams Quality - Decreases water quality due to less dilution of pollutants

Quantity - Well deepening will be required to

sustain livestock water (tanks). High plains aquifer drawdown has occurred over last few decades. As ethanol production accelerates and more corn is produced, aquifer will be drawn down quicker.

Quality - Direct contamination from animal waste along with sedimentation from loss of vegetation and trampling along stream banks

Quantity - Minimal use of groundwater for livestock

Quality - Potential for sedimentation due to increased erosion 

Quantity - Increased water use for irrigation

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

ThreatDam/Impoundments/Flood Control (Small Earthen Dams)Fire ManagementGroundwater DepletionUrban DevelopmentHerbicide UseVegetation TreatmentsExotic and/or InvasivesFire Suppression

Surface water Groundwater

Quality - Eutrophication and higher water temperatures (Eutrophication is the natural agingof lakes or streams brought on by nutrient enrichment. This process can be greatly accelerated by human activities that increase nutrient loading rates to water. Eutrophication has been identified as the main cause of impairedsurface water quality.)Quality - Minimal short-term increase in sediment

Quantity - Depletion

Quality - Potential pollutant source Quantity -Diversion 

Quantity - Depletion Quality - Contamination

Quality - Contamination leading to altered the food web within surface water systems

Quality - Contamination

Quality - Decreased water quality through erosion (e.g. salt cedar) Quantity - decrease available surface water as the plants use high amounts of water

Quantity - High level of groundwater use (e.g. salt cedar)

Quality - Overly dense pinon-juniper stands(due to fire suppression) can lead to erosion and sedimentation 

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Appendix C - Potential Threats to the Ecological Sustainability of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslan

ThreatFlooding (Dams/Impoundments)OHV RecreationScientific ResearchAgricultural ChemicalsSolid WasteToxic Waste ContaminationGroundwater ContaminationPower Plants and industrySewage, SepticTransportation InfrastructureWildfireDroughtHerbivoryFloodingInsect/Disease 

Surface water Groundwater

Quantity - Results in altered hydrograph (timing and amount of flows in stream reaches)Quality - Improperly created trail leads to increased sediment into streamsQuality - Inputs of nutrients (fertilizer) into the stream; increased potential for euthrophication

Quality - Leaching of nutrients and other chemicals into the groundwater; especially shallow aquifers along watercoursesQuality - Contamination of groundwater

Quality - Industrial effluent into streams that flow through the Grassland unitsQuality - Increased erosion/sedimentation from road networksQuality - Sedimentation into streams due to increased post-fire erosion Quantity - increased post-fire runoffQuanitity - reduced due to decreased shallow ground water

Quantity - Reduction in quantity due to longterm drought

Quality - Potential for increased sedimentation due to loss of coverQuality - Potential for contaminants 

Ecological Sustainability Report - Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands