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