Implementing AIM-based Monitoring for Natural Resource

Management

Jason W. Karl1

Sarah E. McCord1

Emily Kachergis2

Jeffrey Herrick1

1USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range 2BLM National Operations Center

Implementing AIM-based Monitoring for Natural Resource

Management

Implementing AIM-based Monitoring

• Successful monitoring programs have – Clearly-defined objectives

– Planning

– Organized execution

– Iteration/revision

• AIM Principles – Facilitate use of data to answer original questions

– Promote ability to reuse monitoring data

Monitoring Process Implementation Model

• Effective monitoring programs don’t just happen

– A planned or structured approach to implementation helps

• This is the implementation model that we use for AIM projects

– Adapted from well-used sources (e.g., Elzinga et al., Herrck et al. 2005).

– Structured, but flexible and iterative

General Approach First Year: Develop Monitoring Program

First Year: Design Monitoring Program

First Year: Implement Monitoring Program

Every Year: Maintain Program

Every 1-10 Years: Repeat Long-term Monitoring

Background

Design

Implement

Maintain

Repeat/Use

Design & implementation steps are iterative Documentation of the process is crucial

Developing a Monitoring Program

Step 1: Develop management objectives, select additional ecosystem attributes and indicators to monitor

Step 2: Set the study area and reporting units, develop monitoring objectives

Step 3: Select criteria for stratifying the study area into similar land areas (if required)

Conceptual Models for Monitoring Design

From Miller et al. (2010)

Design the Monitoring Program

Step 4: Select supplemental methods; estimate sample sizes, set sampling frequency, develop implementation rules

Step 5: Collect/evaluate pilot data for sampling sufficiency and evaluating strata

Step 6: Apply stratification to study area, select statistically-valid sampling locations

Step 7: Develop QA/QC procedures and data management plans

Stratification

Develop stratification criteria

• Conceptual focus

• Factors affecting variability of indicators

• May include other units for ensuring adequate sampling

• Often many potential criteria

• Iterative process to arrive at final criteria

Apply stratification

• Technical focus

• Translate the criteria into a set of units for sample design

• Calculate areas, design weights for data analysis

• Stratification layers often imperfect

Two separate steps!

Supplemental methods

• Core indicators not intended to answer every question

• Supplemental methods added when needed

Active Layer Depth NPR-A

Supplemental Height Info, Sagebrush Shape Sage Grouse HAF

Example - White River Field Office

• Sample Design – Project area – grew from

portion to include entire FO area

– Strata – land potential basis, grouped range sites (no EcoSite info)

– Approach – spatially-balanced point selection

– Iteration – sample sufficiency after year 1. Additional areas/samples added each year.

Implement the Monitoring Program

Step 8: Establish monitoring locations, collect baseline data, perform QA/QC

Step 9: Evaluate baseline data, refine monitoring design and objectives as necessary

Data QA/QC Responsibilities

Level Responsibility Task Frequency

Field Field lead/crew Calibration Proper technique Data completeness Data organization

Ongoing

Field/District Office Monitoring project coordinator

Monitoring design Training crews Data review Data management

Beginning of season Ongoing

State Office State monitoring lead

Data review/ standardization

End of season

NOC NOC database staff Monitoring Resources Provide training Data review/standardization

Ongoing Beginning of Season End of Season

Monitoring Data QA/QC

Baseline data evaluation

• Exploratory data analysis – Outliers, weird values

• Calculate estimates for reporting units – Necessary sample

design info

– Point weights

• Sample sufficiency – Enough sample points?

http://shiny.landscapetoolbox.org/SampleSize

Maintain the Monitoring Program

Step 10: Document management/disturbance; record short-term monitoring data (as needed)

Management/ Disturbance Use Monitoring

Developing a Monitoring Program

Step 11: Repeat monitoring at predetermined frequency, perform data QA/QC

Step 12: Analyze, interpret, report, and USE monitoring results in adaptive management

Floodplain connectivity Bank stability

Macroinvertebrate MMI scores Invasive macroinvertebrates

Floodplain connectivity Bank stability

Applying Monitoring Data

• Creating estimates for the right reporting units

• Linking monitoring data to land management objectives

• Developing thresholds for management actions

Putting it all together

Don’t be put off by the technical aspects of monitoring program design. • Focus on concepts • Use resources,

people, tools available to help

• Plan on the process being iterative

Sources for more info

• The Landscape Toolbox (http://www.landscapetoolbox.org)

• Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savannah Ecosystems (2015)

• BLM Technical Note 445

– Taylor et al. 2014. AIM-Monitoring: a component of the BLM Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring Strategy.