SUMMARYSUMMARY

Summary Instructions

After the checklist is filled out and rationale documented, the ID Team discusses the responses, reads the category definitions and makes a functionality determination – the rationale for the rating is completed at this time

Establish photo points where possible to document noteworthy attributes on the site – make photos demonstrate rationale!

Summary Instructions

Indicate apparent trend (one time observation) for Functional at Risk ratings. The intent here is that FAR down reaches will cause management to red flag as the highest priority.

Unless there are clear indicators of apparent trend – indicate not apparent

Summary Determination

Functional Rating Proper Functioning Condition

Functional-at-Risk Nonfunctional

Unknown

Trend for Functional--At Risk

Upward __________

Downward __________

Not Apparent __________

Remarks:

Standard Checklist (lotic)

Low

Relative condition in functioning-at-risk

High

Making a Summary Determination(Functional Rating)

Are there any questions answered “no?”

If here are “no” answers, is the attribute or process important to function? Usually a “no” answer results in a finding of functional at

risk.

Are all or most questions answered “no”? If all or most questions, particularly those that are critical to

function, the finding is “nonfunctional.”

Is there an apparent upward trend? By definitions, an upward apparent trend results in a finding

of “functional-at-risk.”

Making a Summary Determination(Apparent Trend)

Apparent Trend: A gross estimate of the direction of change in resource attributes based on a one-point in time observation of field indicators

Making a Summary Determination(Apparent Trend)

Are woody species regenerating?

Are herbaceous species reproducing?

Are plants vigorous?

Is the channel degrading?

Is the channel aggrading?

Are streambanks actively eroding?

Standard Checklist (lotic)

Are factors contributing to unacceptable conditionsoutside the manager’s control?

Yes _____ No _____ If yes, what are those factors?

_____ Flow Regulation _____ Mining Activities_____ Upstream channel conditions _____ Channelization_____ Road encroachment _____ Augmentation Flows_____ Recreational Activities _____ Agricultual Activities_____ Other (specify)

Remarks:

Riparian Vegetation Recovery

Water Quality Standards

Vulnerable

Decision Space

Aquatic Habitat

Livestock Forage

Wildlife Habitat

Values/Time

Ba

re

Gro

un

d

PN

C

Sustainable

PFC

Resource Status and Values

Nonfunctional Functional-at-Risk Proper Functioning Condition

Time

Ba

re G

rou

nd

Decision Space

Water Quality Standard

PN

C

Vegetation

Livestock Forage

Aquatic Habitat

Channel Stability

PFC early seral

PFC mid seral & closer to DFC

PFC Applications

Useful to help prioritize of Planning, Monitoring, & Restoration Activities:

Triage: “ The determination of priorities for action in an emergency.”

Allows monitoring to be focused on addressing issues/”no” answers.

Makes efficient use of time and dollars. Should focus restoration activities on “at-risk”

reaches.

PFC Applications

Provides a common, consistent, easily understood communication tool regarding the basic condition of riparian-wetland areas

Avoids riparian resource management “Tower of Babel”

Riparian Management Process

Step 1: Inventory/assess current & potential conditionStep 2: Define/stratify complexes Step 3: Inventory/General Assessments (PFC)Step 4: Select DMAs (Designated Monitoring Areas)Step 5: Establish Site Spec. Desired Conditions,

Objectives, & Indicators (MIM)Step 6: Develop/adapt grazing strategy & implementStep 7: Monitor annual indicators each year and

condition indicators every 3-6 years (MIM)

Step 8: Adapt grazing strategy, annual indicators &/or criteria as needed to meet desired conditions

Stratify Reaches/Complexes/Sites (Experienced Professionals)

Professional Assessment Non-Professional Assessment

Inventory Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) AssessmentIntegrated Rip. Evaluation Guide Level II (R4 FS)Skill LevelExperienced Professionals w/ assistance from Field Technicians

Inventory General Condition & Value Inventory (ID process))Stream Visual Assessment Protocol - SVAP (NRCS)Skill LevelTrained Field Technicians w/ assistance from Professionals

ID Issues, Objectives & Prioritize Reaches/Complexes/Sites for Mgt, Restor., and/or Monitoring(Experienced Professionals)

Select Designated Monitoring Areas (DMAs) for Sites Requiring Additional Information

Monitor to track achievement of objectives (Experienced Professionals)

Monitor DMAs Use observational procedures (e.g. photos) for gross changes & simple issues (Experienced Professionals)Use quantitative/measured protocols to detect finer changes/trends (Trained Field Technicians)

Analyze/Evaluate Data Complete (PFC) using trend monitoring data & implement Adaptive Management

(Experienced Professionals)

Repeat monitoring to evaluate management

Monitoring Data & PFCMonitoring data can go far in supporting a PFC assessment -- where monitoring data is collected, PFC should be validated

Monitoring Streambanks and Riparian Vegetation- Multiple Indicators

Interagency Technical Bulletin Version 2.0 / July 2006 Ervin R. Cowley Timothy A. Burton Steven J. Smith

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Multiple Indicator Monitoring MetricsAnnual Use Metrics (Short-Term Monitoring) Median & Mean Stubble Height % Streambank Alteration % Woody Use Mean Stubble Height for Dominant Key Species

Condition Metrics (Long-Term Monitoring) % Stable Streambanks % Covered Streambanks % Saplings and Young Woody Vegetation % Mature Woody Vegetation (and dead) Vegetation Erosion Resistance Rating (Greenline Stability Rating) % Hydric Vegetation % Hydric Herbaceous Mean Greenline-Greenline Width (GGW) Ecological Status Wetland Rating Mean Width & Depth, Substrate Composition

There is no silver bullet and frankly you probably don’t need one. It is far more important to be able to find the right kind of gun, be able to load the gun … and perhaps most importantly, be able to figure out where the werewolf is.

Matthew Oliphant, Useability Works, 03-22-2006