March 11, 2010
Planning for Priority Species and Vegetation: Monitoring Framework
A Systematic Framework to
Plan for Biological Resources
In the BLM’s Land Use Planning Process
2
How does it work?
Species / VegetationHealth
AssessingEffects
MonitoringPlans
DevelopStrategies
SYSTEMATIC FRAMEWORK
BLM LEARNING NETWORKLAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
On – Site Training
CORE CONCEPTS
• Develop monitoring framework
• Identify priority species and vegetation
• Assess health
• Identify management strategies
• Assess effects
LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
Monitoring • Informs the effectiveness of management
strategies at:– Minimizing effects– Maintaining/restoring species or vegetation
health
• Determines when new strategies are needed• Generates priority species/vegetation health
and effect summaries• Provides accountability
LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
Monitoring Framework
PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
KEY ECOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES
MONITORING PLAN
INDICATORS
LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
StatusHow are the priority species and vegetation doing?How are effects to priority species and vegetation
changing?
EffectivenessAre management strategies having their
intended effect?
Effectiveness vs. status monitoring
LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
Effectiveness vs. Status Measures
Adaptive Management
Early Warning System
Key Ecological Attribute Measurable Indicator
SG population size Mean # males on leks
PJ species composition
and dominance
Presence of knapweed
Health informs monitoring plan
For each priority species / vegetation, select key ecological attributes and indicators
MONITORING PLAN
Monitoring
LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
Indicators
Measurable entities used to assess the status and trends of a priority species or vegetation’s Key Ecological Attribute(s).
Indicators should be: biologically relevant (reflect species or vegetation health) socially relevant (recognized by stakeholders) sensitive to anthropogenic stress (reflect threats) anticipatory (early warning) measurable cost-effective (max. information/unit effort)
LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
Select Methods to Collect Data
A good method is:
• Appropriate at the temporal and spatial scale of the species/vegetation or effects
• Accurate and Reliable
• Cost-Effective
• Feasible
LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
Tips to reduce monitoring costs
• Consider qualitative low-cost options rather than no monitoring
• Consider less frequent monitoring visits
• Use partner data whenever possible
• Engage volunteers in monitoring
LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
Priority Species/
Vegetation
Key Ecological Attribute
Indicators Priority StatusWho
monitors
Annual Cost to
BLM
Funding Source
Greater Sage-Grouse
Population size & dynamics of sage grouse population
Population size based on number of males on leks
Very High
On-going
State Wildlife Agency
$250GIS
support
State Wildlife Agency
Pinyon-Juniper Wood-lands
Species composition / dominance
Presence of knapweed
Med. On-going
BLM $500 Part of Land Health Assessment
Key Attributes Indicators Monitoring
Common issues and recommendations
Status vs. Effectiveness Monitoring
Establish effectiveness measures first
Species/Vegetation vs. Effects Monitoring
Monitor indicators that directly reflect objectives
What is the appropriate level of investment?
Consider• Presence of serious effects• Level of understanding of species, vegetation and effects• Where actions are occurring• Available resources
LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
Critical Questions
• Has at least one indicator and monitoring protocol been identified for each objective?
• Have irrelevant or redundant indicators been excluded?
• Can the monitoring plan be feasibly implemented? At least the high priority indicators?
LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
Adaptive Management
Monitoring data must be analyzed and results used to inform management actions and changes in management direction
LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION
LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION