Researchers are studying how mowing practices affect pollinators and plant communities at Fort Davis National Historic Site, as part of a broader effort to address global declines in pollinator populations.
The Borderlands Research Institute said habitat loss and fragmentation are key drivers of pollinator declines, particularly in fragile desert ecosystems such as the Chihuahuan Desert. Land management practices like mowing, often used to improve visibility and safety in high-use visitor areas, can reduce floral resources and simplify habitat structure, potentially impacting pollinator communities.
From 2023 to 2025, researchers surveyed plots under four different land management treatments: allowing areas to grow naturally with deferred mowing, regular mowing during the monsoon season as needed, a single mowing event in the fall, and deferred mowing combined with prescribed fire and mechanical brush removal.
The study aims to evaluate how these strategies influence plant and insect communities while balancing conservation goals with the operational needs of a public, historically significant site.
Researchers said findings could help guide land management decisions that support pollinator health without compromising visitor access and safety.
