Fort Hood, Texas
Last Edited: 5/5/2010

Background - Fort Hood, located near the town of Killeen, Texas, is the largest army post in the United States covering 217,337 acres. It spans two NABCI Bird Conservation Regions: Oaks and Prairies (BCR21) and Edwards Plateau (BCR20). Similarly, it is treated by two PIF Bird Conservation Plans: Oaks and Prairies (Physiographic Area 8) and Edwards Plateau (Physiographic Area 53). Perennial grassland and oak-juniper woodland comprise the majority of habitat at Fort Hood, with smaller components of mixed shrubland, riparian woodland, and wetland habitat. MAPS stations are located primarily in oak-juniper woodlands, but also in mixed shrub and woodlands.

Management Issues - Existing plans for Fort Hood include fire management (prescribed burns, fire breaks, vegetation clearing), mechanical tree removal, oak wilt suppression, reduction/cessation of cattle grazing, and controlling cowbird populations. MAPS is monitoring population trends of three scrub/successional species of management concern: Bewick's Wren, Field Sparrow, and Painted Bunting. Analyses suggest a mosaic of successional-stage habitats or rotation of "disclimax" management as well as restoration or maintenance of cattle-free riparian areas or wetlands as the optimal habitat structure for these successional species.

MAPS Monitoring (1994-2008) - The MAPS Station Information file contains descriptions and geographic location information for the seven MAPS stations that have ever operated at Fort Hood. Station DEER only ran in 1994. All other stations were operated all years except 2003. Google Earth generated maps of the Fort Hood location (HOOD) and of each station (SHOR, TAYL, ENGI, VIRE, BROO, TABR) show the specific arrangement of the nets and the associated vegetation.

Installation Contact:
Charles Pekins
Wildlife Biologist
charles.pekins@us.army.mil
Tel: 254-286-5941

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