The
moist, shaded environment encourages earthworms and many
other insects and microbe activity, which mellows and
enriches the soil and forms mild organic acids that dissolve
minerals from rocks, which enriches the soil still more.
12.
The
greatlyincreased
insect and microbe activity creates a soil Crumb which
allows oxygen and rain, even heavy rain, to more quickly
penetrate into the soil.
13.
Rainwater
that is allowed to run off the soil not only causes erosion,
but destructive flooding.
Floodwater will be lost forever unless caught in lakes, but even in lakes, it
can be lost.
14.
The
annual evaporation rate in central Texas is 55 inches
per year. Each year, 55 inches of water evaporates from
area lakes.
15.
Water
that is held in the soil and protected by mulch is safe
from evaporation and flood loss.
16.
Rainwater
stored in the soil is protected from pollution.
17.
Rainwater
in the soil will never be lost. It will go in one of
two directions.
18.
The
first direction is: when the soil is completely saturated
beyond its holding capacity, the water will continue
on down and eventually drip into aquifers over a long
period of time, keeping them at a constant level instead
of going up and down with each drought and flood. This
will help springs maintain a constant flow that feeds
clear water to rivers.
19.
The
second direction is: capillary action causes water to
wick up, from deep to plant roots as they need it for
growth and survival.
20.
The
spacing and thickness of the mulch is excellent for seed
germination and grass to sprout through.
21.
Any
forage grass, native or planted, has protection
from hoof or tire traffic with the mulch cover.
22.
The
mulch also protects
forage grass from being pulled out
or bitten off too short by animals.
23.
The
slow decay of the mulch adds its stored
nutrients to the soil for healthy plant growth.
24.
With
the cedar trees removed and turned into soil protecting
mulch, the stocking
rate of pastureland can be greatly
increased. The rancher would profit.
25.
The "cedar
eater" flail mounted in front of a large, powerful
articulated hydrostatic tractor is the most efficient
and economical way
of clearing cedar and other brush,
and placing it as a soil and water protecting mulch.
26.
The "cedar
eater", used over the Edwards aquifer recharge zone,
could very well make
a big difference in water supply and the "panic" conditions we now experience
during droughts that normally occur in central Texas.
