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Description:
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With the expanding population of Texas and the resulting increase in demand for water , the scarcity of water is becoming an increasingly urgent issue and research is being conducted to find ways to improve water yield , the amount of water that is used for aquifer recharge and riparian areas (lakes , streams , etc ) . Rangelands provide a major catchment for both surface reservoirs and aquifers . The Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and the Twin Buttes Drainage Area were selected to determine the tradeoffs between brush management for increased water yield and wildlife habitat improvement . In April 2002 , a mail survey of 300 randomly selected landowners was conducted in each of the two watersheds to gain information regarding their demographics , land cover , and willingness to enter into a cost -share brush removal program . A total of 131 usable questionnaires (43 .7 % ) were returned by Edwards Aquifer area participants , and 141 usable questionnaires (47 .0 % ) were returned by Twin Buttes area participants . Respondents were asked questions including attitudes towards brush amounts and management strategies , and certain constraints that may be included in a cost -share brush removal program . Most respondents indicated interest in enrolling at least part of their land in such a program . Reasoning behind interest varied in each study area . However , interest in various contractual agreements was neutral at best . Policy implications entail considering wildlife habitat mitigation , landowners' preferences , and potential for increasing water yield and determining if all can be managed , or if trade -offs must be considered . |