Maribel Glass
Sul Ross State University
Graduate Student/Master of Science/Department of Natural Resource Management
Assess the Effects of Management Prescriptions on Knotgrass and its Energetic Production Value for Migratory Birds
My name is Maribel E. Glass. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I graduated from Texas A&M
University – Kingsville in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Range and Wildlife Management and a minor
in Biology. My long-term academic goal includes earning a doctorate degree. Currently, I am pursuing a
Master of Science (thesis) with a major in Range & Wildlife Management.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge was established to provide a critical stopover site for
migrating waterfowl. Refuge staff manages water using gates and ditches to create wetlands and mimic
natural flooding cycles. These wetlands re-create the historic habitat that migratory birds need to thrive.
As a result, the refuge provides food and habitat for migratory birds and a diversity of wildlife.
However, refuge staff has noticed an increasing density of paspalum in wetland units. This particular
genus has been known to be invasive and displace desirable vegetation if not managed properly. It is still
uncertain whether this grass is useful to avifauna and, furthermore how management prescriptions
affect its abundance. My thesis project is to determine the production value of paspalum, which
management practices facilitate its spread and whether paspalum is a food source for avifauna.
