rangeland monitoring rangeland monitoring
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RANGELANDRANGELANDRANGELANDRANGELAND
MONITORING MONITORING MONITORING MONITORING
RANGELANDRANGELANDRANGELANDRANGELAND
MONITORING MONITORING MONITORING MONITORING
Michelle BuzalskyMichelle BuzalskyMichelle BuzalskyMichelle BuzalskyRangeland Management TechnicianRangeland Management TechnicianRangeland Management TechnicianRangeland Management Technician
Shoshone National ForestShoshone National ForestShoshone National ForestShoshone National Forest
Michelle BuzalskyMichelle BuzalskyMichelle BuzalskyMichelle BuzalskyRangeland Management TechnicianRangeland Management TechnicianRangeland Management TechnicianRangeland Management Technician
Shoshone National ForestShoshone National ForestShoshone National ForestShoshone National Forest
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Rangeland Monitoring is the orderly
collection, analysis, and
interpretation of resource
information and data used to make
both short-term and long-term
management decisions.
Rangeland Monitoring is the orderly
collection, analysis, and
interpretation of resource
information and data used to make
both short-term and long-term
management decisions.
Here is the basic definition of range monitoring. Notice that analysis and interpretation are
an important part of the definiton, and that the end result is decision making. It is not
enough to take pictures or run transects without spending time thinking about what the data
tells you, and then adjusting your management appropriately.
We’ll discuss the question of what monitoring is in further detail a little later in the
presentation.
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Why MonitorWhy Monitor
• Determine if management
objectives are realistic and
achievable.
• Determine if grazing
management strategy meets
goals for resource and
livestock conditions.
• Determine if management
objectives are realistic and
achievable.
• Determine if grazing
management strategy meets
goals for resource and
livestock conditions.
Before spending a lot of time on the details of monitoring, it’s important to consider why we
monitor. What are the benefits?
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Why MonitorWhy Monitor
• Provide a record of resource and
environmental conditions
• Assist producers in managing
livestock
• To evaluate when management
strategy changes are needed to
better meet identified objectives.
• Provide a record of resource and
environmental conditions
• Assist producers in managing
livestock
• To evaluate when management
strategy changes are needed to
better meet identified objectives.
Many Permittees and Agency Managers have made the comment that monitoring provides
them with a way to document their decision-making procedure. Some refer to this as being
able to document their stewardship. So, if someone comes along and questions their
management decisions, they can pull out this record and say, “here’s what we decided the
area should look like, here’s the management actions we have taken and here is the
information and data that suggested we do what we did.”
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Monitoring Is…Monitoring Is…
• An on-going process.
• Done to determine whether
progress is being made
toward achieving objectives.
• An on-going process.
• Done to determine whether
progress is being made
toward achieving objectives.
Back to the discussion of What is Monitoring.
Monitoring is a commitment, because it is an ongoing process that involves data collection, analysis,
interpretation, and decision making.
The central goal of monitoring is to determine whether progress is being made toward achieving
objectives. Of course, we all want to make good management decisions and these are the ones that
are consistent with the objectives set for a given area. This assumes that objectives have been
established.
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ObjectivesObjectives
• Objectives describe what we want the
ground to look like.
• Good objectives
– plant community or natural resource based
– include input from agencies, operators and
society’s needs
• Objectives are directly tied to the system’s
response(s) to
– our management inputs
–Mother Nature’s inputs
• Objectives describe what we want the
ground to look like.
• Good objectives
– plant community or natural resource based
– include input from agencies, operators and
society’s needs
• Objectives are directly tied to the system’s
response(s) to
– our management inputs
–Mother Nature’s inputs
For Public lands, objectives and goals are driven by the Management or Forest Plan,
Allotment Management Plan and the Annual Operating Instructions. For Private lands these
objectives will be driven by the landowners goals and objectives. Overall goals and
objectives can be done by a team made up of the landowner, NRCS, Extension, Agency, or
other interested entity.
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• The system’s response(s) are the stuff of Long Term MonitoringLong Term MonitoringLong Term MonitoringLong Term Monitoring
• The inputs (our management
decisions and Mother Nature’s
constraints) provide much of
what we collect as
Short Term MonitoringShort Term MonitoringShort Term MonitoringShort Term Monitoring
• The system’s response(s) are the stuff of Long Term MonitoringLong Term MonitoringLong Term MonitoringLong Term Monitoring
• The inputs (our management
decisions and Mother Nature’s
constraints) provide much of
what we collect as
Short Term MonitoringShort Term MonitoringShort Term MonitoringShort Term Monitoring
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LONGLONGLONGLONG----TERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGLONGLONGLONGLONG--------TERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORING
• The measurement of changes in
plant community composition,
cover, structure; and soil resource
conditions over time
• It is critical to detect changes in the
rangeland early enough to make
necessary adjustments in grazing
management practices.
• The measurement of changes in
plant community composition,
cover, structure; and soil resource
conditions over time
• It is critical to detect changes in the
rangeland early enough to make
necessary adjustments in grazing
management practices.
Long-Term Monitoring:
System responses –
How has the plant community changed?
Is there more or less bare ground?
What species are increasing in the community?
What species are decreasing?
How is the soil changing?
Is erosion occurring?
Are we making progress toward our objective?
Examples
Permanent photo points
Cover by Life Form
Greenline Stability
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SHORTSHORTSHORTSHORT----TERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGSHORTSHORTSHORTSHORT----TERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORING
• The measurement of annual
conditions, events, or management
practices that have an influence on
rangeland conditions.
• Helps the producer determine when,
where, and how to move livestock.
• Helpful in explaining changes
measured during long-term monitoring.
• The measurement of annual
conditions, events, or management
practices that have an influence on
rangeland conditions.
• Helps the producer determine when,
where, and how to move livestock.
• Helpful in explaining changes
measured during long-term monitoring.
Short-term monitoring:
Measuring management and environmental factors.
-What were the frequency, intensity, and duration of grazing?
-Was this a wet or dry year?
-What was the impact of wildlife?
How might this year’s events affect our progress toward our objectives?
How might the system respond to these events?
Examples:
-Annual Use Levels
-Pasture rotations
-Weather
-Landscape appearance
-Stubble height
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Where To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To Monitor
• Key Areas that represent
larger management areas.
• Special Areas (critical areas)
• Key Areas that represent
larger management areas.
• Special Areas (critical areas)
“Key areas are sampling units that characterize general range conditions over large areas
such as pastures or grazing allotments.” (Schalau 2001)
“Critical Areas are those containing special or unique values such as endangered species,
riparian habitats and fragile watersheds.”
(Schalau 2001)
Key areas are chosen based on how well they represent the larger area/pasture/allotment.
Key areas need to be consistent in vegetation type, slope, soils or ecological site description
area, etc.
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Where To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To Monitor
•Not practical to monitor every acre
•It is essential to select monitoring sites
that represent larger management areas.
•One or more key areas should be
established in each pasture or unit.
• Avoid areas such as fences, salt locations,
stock trails, ridges, or unused areas.
•Not practical to monitor every acre
•It is essential to select monitoring sites
that represent larger management areas.
•One or more key areas should be
established in each pasture or unit.
• Avoid areas such as fences, salt locations,
stock trails, ridges, or unused areas.
If each unit or pasture is predominately one veg type then one site will work. If the unit is a
mix of upland and riparian then one in each will work. Or the site may be made up of two
different upland types so one in each may be warrented.
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When To MonitorWhen To MonitorWhen To MonitorWhen To MonitorWhen To MonitorWhen To MonitorWhen To MonitorWhen To Monitor
• Before or pre-season use
• During the use period
• After or post-season use
• Consider time of grazing and browsing impacts to schedule monitoring activities
• The different types of info/data will need to be collected at different times throughout the season, this is not implying that everything needs done three times each season.
• Before or pre-season use
• During the use period
• After or post-season use
• Consider time of grazing and browsing impacts to schedule monitoring activities
• The different types of info/data will need to be collected at different times throughout the season, this is not implying that everything needs done three times each season.
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WYOMING RANGELAND MONITORING GUIDEWYOMING RANGELAND MONITORING GUIDE
•This guide represents
only a few of all the
monitoring tools available
in data gathering toolbox.
•They were selected
because they are generally
easy to use, require a
limited amount of time,
and tend to produce
consistently reliable
results.
•Individuals can easily
collect information that
may have a significant
effect on maintaining or
improving rangelands.
•This guide represents
only a few of all the
monitoring tools available
in data gathering toolbox.
•They were selected
because they are generally
easy to use, require a
limited amount of time,
and tend to produce
consistently reliable
results.
•Individuals can easily
collect information that
may have a significant
effect on maintaining or
improving rangelands.
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Monitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring Methods
•Site Information &
Location
•Photo Points
•Landscape Appearance
•Grazing Use maps
•Site Information &
Location
•Photo Points
•Landscape Appearance
•Grazing Use maps
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Monitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring Methods
•Cover by Life Form
•Grazing Response
Index
•Stubble Height
•Greenline Stability
•Cover by Life Form
•Grazing Response
Index
•Stubble Height
•Greenline Stability
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When:
�Every time and Every place
that you monitorWhy:
�Record basic information about
the site including location, site
characteristics, pasture use,
and climatic conditions.
When:
�Every time and Every place
that you monitorWhy:
�Record basic information about
the site including location, site
characteristics, pasture use,
and climatic conditions.
SITE INFORMATION & SITE INFORMATION & SITE INFORMATION & SITE INFORMATION &
LOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATION
SITE INFORMATION & SITE INFORMATION & SITE INFORMATION & SITE INFORMATION &
LOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATION
Completed whenever/wherever that monitoring is done.
This basic information is used to compare data collected from different sites to prevent
inappropriate comparisons and conclusions.
The information described is basic and should not require significant scrutiny by the
observer.
Record any other pertinent info about the grazing system, range readiness, current plant
physiology, or other information worth capturing for future reference.
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PERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTS
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
�Sets of photos taken at the same
location and at the same stage of
plant growth over a span of
years.WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
�Provide basic documentation of
range trend.
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
�Sets of photos taken at the same
location and at the same stage of
plant growth over a span of
years.WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
�Provide basic documentation of
range trend.
Important to be:
consistent,
ID date and location,
take pictures during same stage of plant growth each year,
include skyline,
carefully relocate photo points each time
Should try to maintain consistency in camera type and documentation
Landscape photos should be taken from same designated point at approximately the same time of year
Photos that include a distinctive landmark in the background or on the horizon are easier to relocate
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Example of full set of 5 photos. Form is completed using electronic version.
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Special Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo Points
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
�Photos taken at an impacted
site or other special area.WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
�Demonstrate resource recovery
or need to modify current
management.
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
�Photos taken at an impacted
site or other special area.WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
�Demonstrate resource recovery
or need to modify current
management.
A single photo from a permanently marked site of a impacted area can be very
effective in demonstrating resource recovery or the need to modify current
management.
Finding the location of an old photograph and retaking it can provide good
information on past use and trend of the site.
The next slide shows the recovery of a headcut or dugout area. In both sets of
photos note the increase/fill-in of vegetation depicting recovery occurring at each
site.
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‘99‘99
’06’06
‘99‘99
‘06‘06
SPECIAL AREA PHOTOSSPECIAL AREA PHOTOS
Bear Creek Allotment, Wind River Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest
Allotment changed permittees. Some mistakes that were made, like salting in this riparian
meadow, are now being tracked to see how the new management is effecting the recovery
of the salting area or this head cut area. The pictures tell the story.
This allotment uses a deferred rotation system and has active monitoring program.
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Things to Remember with Photo PointsThings to Remember with Photo Points
• Permanent Mark on the Ground.
• 1/3 photo sky,with a recognizable landmark in background.
• Repeat photos at same time of year.
• Pre-grazing and post-grazing.
• General view and close-up.
• Digital/35mm/Kodachrome/Kodacolor
• Permanent Mark on the Ground.
• 1/3 photo sky,with a recognizable landmark in background.
• Repeat photos at same time of year.
• Pre-grazing and post-grazing.
• General view and close-up.
• Digital/35mm/Kodachrome/Kodacolor
Repeated photographs taken at permanent locations are an effective and efficient method for monitoring
can provide basic documentation of range trend
Important to be: consistent, ID date and location, take pictures during same stage of plant growth each year, include skyline, and carefully relocate photo points each time
Should try to maintain consistency in camera type and documentation
Landscape photos should be taken from same designated point at approximately the same time of year
Photos that include a distinctive landmark in the background or on the horizon are easier to relocate
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LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE
APPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCE
LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE
APPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEWhatWhatWhatWhat::::
�An ocular estimate of forage
utilization based on the general
appearance of the rangelandWhyWhyWhyWhy::::
�Estimate general forage
utilization over a large area.
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
�An ocular estimate of forage
utilization based on the general
appearance of the rangelandWhyWhyWhyWhy::::
�Estimate general forage
utilization over a large area.
This method estimates general forage utilization.
It is especially helpful when grazing or browsing use must be estimated for large areas.
For this method, an ocular estimate of forage utilization is based on the general appearance of the rangeland.
Utilization levels are determined by comparing observations with the written utilization class descriptions.
Utilization estimates are evaluated against the standards, goals, or objectives for the area.
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GRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPS
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
�A map of livestock utilization often
developed from landscape
appearance or stubble height
observations.
WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
� Identify key areas, distribution
problems, or management
opportunities.
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
�A map of livestock utilization often
developed from landscape
appearance or stubble height
observations.
WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
� Identify key areas, distribution
problems, or management
opportunities.
Very useful management tools.
Help to identify key areas, distribution problems, or management opportunities.
May also be used to modify the grazing management plan.
To map utilization, examine the grazing unit and sketch utilization patterns on the map.
Landscape appearance observations are often used to develop grazing use maps, Stubble Height can also be used.
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COVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORM
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
� An estimation of the relative amounts
of different life forms (grasses, forbs,
shrubs, litter, moss/lichen, rock, bare
ground) on a site
WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
� Repeating this data collection over
time (every 3 to 5 years) provides an
indication of trend on the site
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
� An estimation of the relative amounts
of different life forms (grasses, forbs,
shrubs, litter, moss/lichen, rock, bare
ground) on a site
WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
� Repeating this data collection over
time (every 3 to 5 years) provides an
indication of trend on the site
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GRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEX
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
� A method of rating the expected future response to grazing as positive, neutral, or negative based on the frequency and intensity of grazing and the opportunity for regrowth in the current grazing season.
WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
� Describe annual grazing use, interpret annual grazing effects, and plan the grazing pattern for the following year.
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
� A method of rating the expected future response to grazing as positive, neutral, or negative based on the frequency and intensity of grazing and the opportunity for regrowth in the current grazing season.
WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
� Describe annual grazing use, interpret annual grazing effects, and plan the grazing pattern for the following year.
Developed to describe annual grazing use, interpret annual grazing
effects, and to aid in planning the grazing pattern for the following year.
Understanding plant physiology and plant response to grazing is essential in the
development of unit management plans; with this there is a need for a monitoring tool that
adequately estimates rangeland use due to grazing
Must not only access how much of the plant was grazed but also when the plant was
grazed and how many times it was defoliated during the growing season
GRI is an effective tool to access grazing systems or complications associated with
situations such as early season big game use followed by livestock use
Consequently, GRI is based on general determinations of annual grazing use, and is not
intended to be the only method for resolving major conflicts.
GRI considers three key concepts related to plant health: frequency,
intensity, and opportunity
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GRAZING RESPONSE INDEX
GRAZING RESPONSE INDEX
• Frequency - the number of times plants are defoliated during grazing period
• Intensity – of defoliation is the amount of leaf material removed during grazing period (Utilization)
• Opportunity – is the amount of time plants have to grow prior to grazing or regrow after grazing.
• Frequency - the number of times plants are defoliated during grazing period
• Intensity – of defoliation is the amount of leaf material removed during grazing period (Utilization)
• Opportunity – is the amount of time plants have to grow prior to grazing or regrow after grazing.
Dependent on the length of time plants are exposed to grazing animals;Approx. 7-10 days required for a plant to re-grow enough to be grazed again during late spring or early summer when plants experiencing rapid growth
Utilization; the primary concern is the amount of photosynthetically active leaf material remaining for the plant to recover from grazing
Opportunity is the one factor most highly related to long term health and vigor of the vegetation
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STUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTWhatWhatWhatWhat::::
�Measures the average stubble height of
one to several key species, normally in a
riparian area.
WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
� Vegetation provides streambank
protection, traps sediments, contributes
to rebuilding degraded stream channels,
and ensures residual forage and habitat.
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
�Measures the average stubble height of
one to several key species, normally in a
riparian area.
WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
� Vegetation provides streambank
protection, traps sediments, contributes
to rebuilding degraded stream channels,
and ensures residual forage and habitat.
Vegetation provides streambank protection, traps sediments, contributes to rebuilding degraded stream channels, and ensures residual forage and habitat.
Retaining an adequate amount of standing herbaceous vegetation (stubble) along the streambanks and within the primary floodplain slows overland water flow velocity from winter and spring runoff, traps and retains sediments necessary to build and maintain streambanks.
Occurs on predetermined key species in key areas.
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STUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTTrigger Monitoring
• An action is triggered when stubble height reaches a predetermined point
• 1 or more key species in key area
• Livestock are moved when reaches allowable stubble height
Trigger Monitoring
• An action is triggered when stubble height reaches a predetermined point
• 1 or more key species in key area
• Livestock are moved when reaches allowable stubble height
Residual Monitoring
• Conducted on sedge-rush communities along the greenlinefollowing grazing or growing season
• Actual remaining residual stubble height is compared to a defined allowable standard
Residual Monitoring
• Conducted on sedge-rush communities along the greenlinefollowing grazing or growing season
• Actual remaining residual stubble height is compared to a defined allowable standard
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GREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITY
The greenline is the first
perennial vegetation on
or near the waters edge
The greenline is the first
perennial vegetation on
or near the waters edge
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GREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITY
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
� Observations are made of the community types located along the greenline of a stream reach in order to determine a stability rating.
WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
� Determine whether greenline vegetation is adequate to maintain a stable streambank.
WhatWhatWhatWhat::::
� Observations are made of the community types located along the greenline of a stream reach in order to determine a stability rating.
WhyWhyWhyWhy::::
� Determine whether greenline vegetation is adequate to maintain a stable streambank.
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Other Monitoring MethodsNot in the Guide
Other Monitoring MethodsNot in the Guide
• Utilization cages
• Exclosures
• Cover Frequency
• Parker 3-Step
• Production (clipping)
• Utilization cages
• Exclosures
• Cover Frequency
• Parker 3-Step
• Production (clipping)
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SummarySummarySummarySummarySummarySummarySummarySummary• Provides a record of
management and environmental conditions
• Assesses system responses to those conditions
• Measures progress toward objectives
• Basis for decision making
• Provides a record of management and
environmental conditions
• Assesses system responses to those conditions
• Measures progress toward objectives
• Basis for decision making
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Questions
Or
Comments
Questions
Or
Comments
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NOTES
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NOTES
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