VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Pediocactus papyracanthus | Grama-Grass Cactus 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
NO-ENTRY


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
In New Mexico, populations of grama-grass cactus are in decline, some
severely so.  However, its highly inconspicuous nature makes it a
difficult species to study.  Grama-grass cactus is affected by
disturbances such as urban development, grazing, recreational use of
land, and cactus collection.  It was once common on grassy outwash fans
at the western edge of the Sandia Mountains, but that entire area is now
consumed by the eastern expansion of the city of Albuquerque.  Both
grama-grass cactus and its habitat are destroyed by heavy off-road
vehicle traffic.  Grama-grass cactus populations have often been quickly
depleted by cactus collectors.  Fairly tall grama-grass cactus plants
may be common in ungrazed areas, but under moderate grazing intensities
pplants are often trampled and taller plants are less frequent.  Soil
compaction due to grazing is also a problem since most grama-grass
cactus seedlings are found on loose soil.  Light grazing may open the
grass cover and facilitate seedling establishment, whereas more intense
grazing reduces grass cover and exposes grama-grass cactus to increased
predation by small herbivores.  Also, the loss of grass cover results in
increased erosion of topsoil and accelerates the loss of potential sites
for seedling establishment [11].

Related categories for Species: Pediocactus papyracanthus | Grama-Grass Cactus