The Edwards Plateau region (Figure 1) covers approximately 40,00 square miles in central Texas, and all or part of 42 counties (Goetze, 1998). Live Oak – Ashe Juniper vegetation communities comprise only a portion of the habitat in this region; some areas are dominated by other plant species, such as mesquite or grass. A characteristic of Live Oak – Ashe Juniper communities that make them noteworthy, however, is that these are the areas that are being most impacted by the development of Austin and San Antonio. These areas also harbor several endangered species, such as the Golden-cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo.

Fig. 1.