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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #119163
Title: INTERPRETING INDICATORS OF RANGELAND HEALTH

Author
item PELLANT, M - USDI-BUREAU OF LAND MGMT
item SHAVER, P - USDA-NAT RES CONSERV SVC
item PYKE, D - USDI-BUREAU OF LAND MGMT
item Herrick, Jeffrey - Jeff

Submitted to: Complete Book
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2000
Publication Date: 12/1/2000
Citation: PELLANT, M., SHAVER, P., PYKE, D., HERRICK, J.E. INTERPRETING INDICATORS OF RANGELAND HEALTH. USDI BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DENVER, CO. 2000. ITR 1734-6. 115 P. AVAILABLE FROM: HTTP://WWW.FTW.NRCS.USDA.GOV/GLTI.

Interpretive Summary: Rapid, scientifically-based rangeland assessment protocols are needed for range management. The procedure described here has been developed for use by experienced, knowledgeable land managers as it requires a good understanding of ecological processes, vegetation, and soils for each of the sites to which it is applied. It is not to be used for monitoring. The procedure requires that evaluators rate 17 indicators to assess three attributes (soil/site stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity) for a given location. If used by knowledgeable and experienced people, they will be able to make rapid and preliminary evaluations of soil and site stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity on rangelands, and allow managers to make better land management decisions.

Technical Abstract: This technical reference describes a new qualitative assessment protocol to be used for interpreting indicators of rangeland health. Use of the reference will allow for more consistent interpretations of rangeland health indicators, thus making assessment results more comparable. The procedure has been developed for use by experienced, knowledgeable land managers as it requires a good understanding of ecological processes, vegetation, and soils for each of the sites to which it is applied. If used by knowledgeable and experienced people, they will be able to make rapid and preliminary evaluations of soil and site stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity on rangelands. It is not to be used for monitoring. The procedure requires that evaluators rate 17 indicators to assess 3 attributes (soil/site stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity) for a given location.