Was it Grassland? A Look at Vegetation in Brewster County, Texas through the Eyes of a Photographer in 1899

Abstract

In 1984 research was initiated to determine the field locations of several photographs taken in the Trans-Pecos in 1899 by R.T. Hill of the U.S. Geological Survey. The objective was to rephotograph the scene and document. through repeat photography, apparent changes in vegetation since 1899.
At each site photos were taken with a 35 mm SLR camera using a 50 mm and a 28 mm lens with black and white print film. A visual survey of vegetation was made and dominant species identified.
Comparative analysis of historic and modern photos indicate a wide variety of trends - from a large degree of shrub increase to no perceptible change, as well as situations in which the overall aspect of vegetation is the same as in 1899 but shrub height has increased.