Other unique plant habitats

Large-fruited sand verbena grows only in isolated sand barrens in the Post Oak Savanna region of Texas.

Weches glades

Rock outcrops of the Weches formation occur at a few places, all privately owned, in two East Texas counties. The shallow soils of these sites create treeless, dry natural glades. Two flowers found nowhere else in the world grow among grasses and mosses more typical of the limestone outcrops of central Texas. These unique sites are not being managed for conservation.

Eocene sand barrens

Deep sand dunes occur at a few isolated locations on Eocene sandstone formations within post oak woodlands of eastern and southern Texas. These "barrens" support clusters of endemic species, including rare and beautiful wildflowers like the endangered largefruited sand verbena. These outcrops are not protected and some are threatened by subdivisions. Most locales are small and could be preserved by conservation groups or through agreements with private landowners.

Panhandle riparian woodlands and sandhills

Riparian woodlands were once common along rivers of the Great Plains. These communities contained tall cottonwoods and lush meadows of tallgrass, and were crucially important for migratory birds and many species of wildlife. These stands have been isolated by surrounding agriculture, and altered due to overutilization by livestock and reduction in streamflows caused by dams and irrigation. Perhaps the most serious problem is invasion of exotic plants including saltcedar, which has choked out native species. However, sites of high quality tallgrass and cottonwood still exist on sand hills along a few Panhandle rivers and are managed by ranch owners. Helping private owners to safeguard these sites should be a high priority.

The Monahans sand dunes of West Texas are a popular tourist attraction.

West Texas sand dunes

Many rare plants grow in unusual niches in the deserts of the TransPecos. Saline and gypsumrich soils and clay hardland soils create barrens where rare, specially adapted plants occur. Sheets of quartz sand dunes are found in a few parts of West Texas, with the largest around Monahans and Kermit, where the dunes may be up to 60 feet tall. Shrubsized Havard shin oaks root in the dunes, along with tall grasses and colorful wildflowers. Swales between dunes hold water for long periods, creating water sources for wildlife. Though protected at Monahans Sandhills State Park, more of the scenic and unique dunes of West Texas deserve conservation.

Riparian woodlands in canyons of West Texas are crucial resources for wildlife.

West Texas canyons and riparian woodlands

Canyons in mountain ranges of West Texas are sheltered from desert temperatures, creating oases of water and vegetation used by hawks, falcons, mule deer, and many other species. Woodlands of ash, walnut, and cottonwood trees line larger streams. Wildflowers such as mints and columbines provide color. Most streams in mountain ranges are remote and conserved by private ranching families, but many permanent streams at lower elevations have been affected by water diversion, infestation of exotic saltcedar, and overgrazing. It is important that changing land use and ownership, including subdivision of large ranches, does not cause further degradation of riparian zones and canyon woodlands in West Texas.