The Center for Semiarid Land Ecology (CSALE)was established on September 12, 2000 as a branch of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. The CSALE originated with grants from the Meadow’s Foundation and was matched by the Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife Conservation. Ongoing funding for the CSALE is obtained by grant requests from private foundations, public agencies, and from donations by individuals and organizations. The CSALE maintains close ties with other organizations, particularly the International Arid Lands Consortium through grant requests and participation in the Research and Development Advisory Committee.

During 2000, Dr. Timothy Fulbright was named as the Endowed Meadows Professor in Semiarid Land Ecology and Director of the Jack R. and Loris J. Welhausen Experimental Station. Seven graduate students have been involved with the program since its inception. Although research has focused primarily in south Texas, the center also participates in research in semiarid lands around the world, particularly in Mexico and the Middle East.

Research conducted through the CSALE has focused on (1) determining if shrubs exhibit compensatory growth in response to simulated browsing; (2) evaluating reptile, amphibian, and rodent communities on rangeland that has been root plowed in order to determine if root plowing results in a long-term reduction in species richness and abundance; (3) effects of browsing on nodule formation in blackbrush acacia seedlings; (4) developing methods of establishing native plants within landscapes dominated by buffelgrass to improve habitat for northern bobwhites, (5) habitat selection by bobwhites within landscapes dominated by exotic grasses, and (6) determining effects of buffelgrass on soil nutrient cycling.