The Rio Grande Plains and Coastal Prairies of south Texas have long been noted for their thriving cattle industry and abundant populations of wildlife.  This 30 million acre region lies south of San Antonio and extends east to the Gulf Coast and south to the lower Rio Grande Valley.  The primary land uses in the region are beef cattle production and wildlife-related recreation.

The Rio Grande Plains consist mainly of rolling hills and alluvial valleys.  A few low mountains occur along the southern limits in Mexico.  The region is primarily rangeland, although some cultivated farms are scattered throughout the area.  Shrublands dominate the landscape.

The Coastal Bend District is approximately 64% rangeland.  Collectively the Coastal Prairie and Coastal Saline Prairie occupy about 9.5 million acres along and adjacent to the coast.  Elevation at this level to gently rolling plain is less than 150 ft. and the growing season normally exceeds 300 days .  Potential vegetation of the Coastal Prairie is mid to tall grass prairie, or savanna, supporting motes of mesquite or live oak with heavily wooded areas along the streams and rivers.  Most of the zone is now dominated by shrub-lands that reduce livestock carrying capacities and limit the value of some sites as wildlife habitat.

La Copita Demonstration Ranch

Ecosystem Sciences  & Management