Location: Range Management Research
Project Number: 3050-21600-001-118-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Jun 16, 2025
End Date: May 30, 2030
Objective:
The goal of the project is to conduct collaborative research on the collection, management, and application of rangeland monitoring data coupled to spatial/remote sensing data and process models to detect, predict, and ecological change and support land management in Western U.S. rangeland environments.
Approach:
1. Extend support to field implementation of AIM monitoring projects in collaboration with BLM staff by: supporting monitoring project design and implementation for AIM-related projects as needed; continuing to research, develop, and support software packages (e.g., terradactyl) and tools (e.g., the Rangeland Indicator Calculator) for monitoring data indicator calculations and to facilitate integration of monitoring data into BLM’s national monitoring database; supporting the BLM on the development and implementation of tools for designing monitoring projects and tracking their implementation; and supporting and maintaining the web and other digital resources which organize and disseminate rangeland monitoring content and information related to AIM monitoring.
2. Additional support for the integration of AIM monitoring with other datasets and indicators, including remote-sensing products, management and treatment history datasets, ecological site descriptions, wind and water erosion models, and other agency (NRCS, NPS, ARS) core method datasets in both research studies and management decisions.
3. Contribute to analyses and reports of condition on BLM land, including AIM annual reporting and program-specific assessments.
4. Provide training of BLM staff and partners in monitoring protocols, project implementation, and analysis; including continued support in the development of training materials (e.g., websites, manuals, videos) to support AIM Core Methods trainings, AIM Project Leads trainings, and Analysis workshops.
5. Develop and implement innovative workflows and tools for monitoring data analysis and reporting including leveraging new technologies to increase efficiencies in the use of data to support decision making.
6. Conduct research on streamlining monitoring work and use of monitoring data to support decision making, including use of new tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).
7. Convene interagency collaboration efforts to integrate AIM core methods and indicators into scientific research and to assist with the integration of scientific outcomes into AIM workflows and BLM decision making workflows.
8. USDA-ARS personnel will provide consultation to BLM AIM program staff and leadership on a regular basis through scheduled conference calls, individual email and phone conversations, service on AIM teams, document reviews, and on-site meetings. In addition, USDA will provide computing resources, office space, vehicles for field work, and scientist time to oversee progression of the project.