The Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER) was established in 1903 to protect the native rangeland from grazing and to conduct research on problems associated with livestock production. Accumulated information on ecology of the semidesert system at SRER is more complete than for any other tract of comparable size and diversity (Martin and Reynolds 1973 ). The research results have worldwide applicability to other semidesert regions. Research conducted on SRER and other experimental ranges addressed the need to build a sound body of scientific knowledge to further the restoration, protection, and management of rangelands in the arid Southwest. SRER has also provided various socio-economic benefits to the local economy through research activities. Between .5 and .6 million animal unit months of forage have been realized since 1910.

Herein, all research that has been conducted on SRER is cited. Most of the research was perfomed entirely on SRER, with some investigations using SRER as a treatment site. Other works relate to SRER in that plant, soil, or animal products were taken from SRER for laboratory studies. This treatise contains over 450 references and works of over 225 authors. To assist the user in locating specific studies, several maps are provided in appendix C. For example, a large number of studies deal with mesquite and lehmann lovegrass experiments, and these studies can be generally located from map C.