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Appendix A - Monitoring Methods
Appendix B - Suggested Forest Service Process for Monitoring
DRAFT * 12/5/96 *DRAFT * 12/5/96 *DRAFT * 12/5/96 *DRAFT * 12/5/96 *
VOLUNTARY RANGELAND MONITORING BY GRAZING PERMITTEES
OF THE BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST
The intent of this document is to provide technical guidance to permittees who choose to implement a voluntary rangeland monitoring system on grazing allotments for which they are responsible. Grazing permittees often are in a position to collect rangeland monitoring data which would not otherwise be collected. Should a permittee choose to collect range monitoring information in a voluntary and unsupervised manner, the proper use of the methods described here will generate reliable data. The Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) will accept monitoring data as valid and credible if site location and objectives are Jointly developed between the permittee and a BTNF Range Specialist. The development of this voluntary data collection system and it's endorsement by the BTNF should not be interpreted as a move toward mandatory permittee monitoring. It should be noted that voluntary participation, or lack thereof, will in no way encumber the status of grazing permits currently held by BTNF range allotment permittees. What follows is based on rangeland science, not politics.
RANGELAND MONITORING FOR THE PERMITTEE VOLUNTEER
Rangeland monitoring can be defined as a systematic record of processes or activities to detect change in the range resource. Vegetation monitoring is a valuable tool to detect change in plant communities in relation to management objectives.
The rangeland monitoring methods presented here provide information on two broad fronts. 'Short- term" or annual monitoring techniques can be used to identify and quantify different uses of the resource and natural events occurring to the resource. Secondly, monitoring procedures can be 'long-term,' designed to pick up changes in the resource over time. Range `trend' simply describes the direction of change in plant communities observed over time, in relation to management objectives.
Quickly, we can see that monitoring is and should be driven by identified and attainable management objectives. The motivation for permittee monitoring may be to address resource conditions specifically, document stewardship, or to provide information addressing educational, political, and other concerns. Realistically, a public land permittee will have a variety of motivations and objectives. Having said that; let us concentrate on the importance of specific management objectives in rangeland monitoring.
A visit between the BTNF range specialist and the permittee is extremely important. Both Parties have objectives for the allotment and many of those objectives may be mutual. The range specialist and the permittee must understand each other's objectives as well as their own. Mutual and specific monitoring objectives for an allotment will then become possible. Monitoring objectives may also be developed to address other uses of the rangeland resource (ie. wildlife or recreational impacts, etc.).
The monitoring program designed for a particular allotment will be a response to a group of objectives and concerns for the allotment. The range specialist will be a member of the monitoring team and can be invaluable in helping design the monitoring program. The voluntary monitoring system is designed to be a tool that permittees can use to better manage livestock allotments. It is intended to supplement, rather than relieve the Forest Service from its rangeland monitoring responsibilities. The Forest Service retains the responsibility for ensuring that permittee data is consistent and repeatable.
The design of a monitoring program often is best done on the allotment by a monitoring team. The monitoring team could include the permittee, range specialist, foreman or rider, association members or technical expertise such as the University of Wyoming or UW Extension. Armed with a complete understanding of everyone's objectives and concerns, it should be possible to pinpoint monitoring locations pertinent to management objectives. Each monitoring location must reflect data which will address specific objective(s). Rangeland monitoring methods, along with specific locations and plant species, will be jointly determined (between the team, or the permittee and the range specialist on a case by case basis.
There are several critical points that a permittee should keep in mind. The data must be trustworthy and credible. Consistency in monitoring techniques, data repeatability .and adequate sampling is critical. Translating reliable data into successful allotment management is dependent on good, communication and a trusting relationship with your range specialist. Building and maintaining a working partnership with your range specialist will simplify monitoring planning and implementation and amplify the rewards. The range specialist has technical skills, knowledge, agency perspective, and ultimately, the responsibilities for monitoring. The permittee brings to the partnership historical perspective, commitment; consistency, and momentum afforded by long term stewardship of the allotment, and experience in practical application of management strategies.
MONITORING METHODS
The following is a summary of some short and long-term monitoring techniques which will produce reliable data and which should be viable options for permittee, implementation. A more detailed description of these methods and associated data forms are presented in the appendix. A monitoring team may use one or more techniques as required to meet objectives of the monitoring effort.
Other rangeland monitoring methods may be appropriate in some situations. If alternative rangeland monitoring methods are deemed necessary, they will be selected from either the most current revision of the USFS Intermountain Rangeland Analysis Handbook, or the two volume, 1996 Interagency Technical References, "Utilization Studies and Residual Measurements" and "Sampling Vegetation Attributes." These references are available at USFS or County Extension Offices.
SUGGESTED METHODS
The following chart depicts which methods are intended for either riparian or upland sites for short-term or long-term monitoring. They will be described in detail in the appendices.
| Riparian Settings | Upland or meadow Settings | |
| Short-term Monitoring | Utilization Gauge/Stubble
Height
Actual Use Records Annual Observations Photo Documentation Utilization Cages |
Utilization Gauge
Actual Use Records Annual Observations Photo Documentation Utilization Cages |
| Long-term Monitoring: | Permanent Photo-points | Permanent Photo-points
Cover/Point Transects |
:
EVALUATION OF MONITORING DATA
Monitoring data gains importance by associating it with data from prior years. Therefore, it is recommended that the permittee establish a permanent notebook of monitoring data in which photographs and data forms are stored. Annually, monitoring data should be summarized by the permittee or range management specialist. It is recommended that evaluation of monitoring data be developed cooperatively between the permittee, BTNF range specialist, and (when involved in the implementation of a particular system), the University of Wyoming.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING
Technical assistance in rangeland monitoring will be provided through a cooperative effort between the BTNF, the BTNF Rangeland Monitoring Committee and the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service. Training will focus on monitoring site selection, establishment of monitoring techniques, consistent and repeatable employment of those methods, documentation, and analysis of data.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This document was compiled with full support of the Bridger-Teton National Forest Supervisor, Sandra Key, and the President of the Public Lands Council, Truman Julian. It was developed consensually by the Bridger-Teton Rangeland Monitoring Committee, represented by:
Joel Bousman, BTNF Rangeland Permittee
Kelly Crane, Extension Range S.pecialist, UW Dept of REWM
Randy Davis, BTNF Soil Scientist
Deborah DesLaurier, BTNF Vegetation Program Manager
Judith Dyess, BTNF Range Management Specialist; Greys River RD
Sue Hunt, BTNF Rangeland Permittee
Truman Julian, BTNF Rangeland Permittee
Eric Peterson, UW Extension Educator, Sublette County
Nancy Pustis, BTNF Range Management Speciaiist, Kemmerer RD
Fred Roberts, BTNF Rangeland permittee
Quentin Skinner, UW Department of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management, Professor and Department Head
Mike Smith, UW Dept of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Mgmt, Professor
Albert Sommers, BTNF Rangeland Permittee
Jim Wickel, BTNF District Ranger, Kemmerer
RD
APPENDIX A
MONITORING METHODS
SHORT-TERM MONITORING
1. Forage Utilization Estimate based on Stubble Heights (USFS Utilization Gauge):
Use the USFS utilization gauge exactly as instructed on the back on the gauge. As in the previous method, plants should be sampled n an unbiased manner. Between 50 and 100 tillers of the key species should be measured, with ungrazed, mature plant height being estimated from at least 20 tillers. This method of utilization estimation is based on the height/weight relationship of individual species, which if adequately described .can relate percent utilization to stubble height.
Hints:
a) Spend some time estimating utilization with your BTNF range specialist to ensure that your methodology and key species identification are consistent and yield similar results.
b) Determine if available 'species cards' for the gauge are appropriate on your allotments or if specific height/weight relationships need to be determined for key species.
c) Use both grazed and ungrazed, mature plant heights to calculate average height.
d) This procedure can be employed to gather stubble height on the greenline,
2. Actual Use Records:
Information regarding the amount of actual livestock use for each pasture/allotment should be compiled with other monitoring data. These records may provide valuable information on historical livestock use and trends in livestock numbers permitted on allotments.
3. Annual Observations/Comments:
A record of your observations of the rangeland provide documentation and insight into interpret- ing other monitoring results. Record any observations which may affect your rangeland resourc- es, some of which may include:
4. Photo Documentation:
Photo-points (see Long-term Monitoring section) which accompany short-term monitoring techniques can provide valuable information regarding the status of allotments prior to livestock being turned-in and upon removal. Photography can also be used to document events or observations.
5. Utilization Cages/Exclosures/Relic Areas:
Utilization estimations require ungrazed samples with which to compare the grazed samples, Cages can provide a visual reference from which to base these estimations. Cages should be moved annually. Photographic records showing forage within and outside of a utilization cage can also be of great value,
Utilization cages may or may not require the selection of a key plant species. It is impractical to use cages to produce reliable utilization estimates using clip and weigh methods primarily because obtaining enough samples for reliable data can be very time- consuming and difficult to perform in the field. For. reliable utilization estimates using clip and weigh methods, plots must be clipped both within and outside of an exclosure, and the vegetation dried and weighed following the procedures outlined in the Intermountain Regional Range Analysis Handbook.
LONG-TERM MONITORING TO ASSESS RANGE TREND
1. Permanent Photo-points:
Repeated photographs at permanent locations throughout an allotment or pasture is an effective and efficient method for long-term monitoring. The greatest concerns in repeat photography are to use similar techniques, to identify the date and location within the picture, to take the picture during the same stage of plant growth, to include the same skyline in the landscape picture, and to carefully relocate the photo points each time. It is also important to maintain consistency in camera type, film, timing, and associated documentation.
Repeated landscape scale photographs can provide a qualitative documentation of range trend. Landscape photos should be taken from the same designated point at approximately the same time of year. A witness post located at a known distance and compass bearing from a distinctive landmark (rock, tree, etc,) will ease relocation. Landscape photographs which include a distinctive landmark in the background or on the horizon are easier to ~relocate. Previous photographs (or photocopies) can also be helpful in "framing" the photo consistently from year to year.
Documentation which should accompany each photograph may include:
Close up (oblique) photographs can be used to show important characteristics of a site such as soil surface, ground cover, plant density, and vegetation composition, Repeated oblique photos can provide quantitative information to assess range trend, especially if a scaling device (plot frame or carpenter's square) is included in each photograph.
A suggested photo-monitoring technique which incorporates both landscape and oblique photo points at a permanent transect location is described in the appendix,
2. Estimation of Cover along a Point Transect:
Ground cover by class or lifeform is simply an estimation of the relative amounts of different lifeforms (see below) on a site. The objective here is to document how the relative amounts of each cover class change over time. Typically the primary classes which are monitored include;
Cover measurements over time provide information regarding changes in ground cover and relative abundance of each lifeform. Plant cover is an important attribute to monitor due to its relationship to the potential for soil erosion. This method is further described in the appendix.
The measurement of plant cover by class or lifeform is relatively simple and requires no species identification skills. Yet, it provides very valuable information on plant community changes and soil erosion potential. This monitoring strategy is best suited to detect trend on sites with management objectives which include woody species such as willows or upland shrub species. Typically; changes in cover are relatively slow and adequate data can be obtained through infrequent sampling (e.g. every 2 to 5 years).
Steps:
1. Establish a permanent transect, 100 feet in length with two stakes which can be readily relocated. Appropriate documentation will ease relocation efforts. This transect can be the same permanent transect used for photo-trend sampling.
2. Stretch a measuring tape tightly between the stakes so the numbers can be read.
3. At each 1-foot mark on the measuring tape lower the point of a surrey flag (12 gauge wire) toward the soil surface and determine what lifeform is first intercepted by the point.
4. Repeat at each foot mark until 100 sample points are completed.
Hints:
1. The survey flag or wire should be kept as close to vertical as possible.
2 Have one person lower the 'pin' and another determine the lifeform and record observations. This alleviates our tendency to bias the sample.
3. It is important that the tape remains tight during sampling and that observers are consistent in their technique and lifeform designation.
4. The same transect and sample points are monitored
in subsequent years.
APPENDIX B
SUGGESTED FOREST SERVICE PROCESS FOR MONITORING:
The following checklist is a Forest Service protocol for determining monitoring objectives and is intended to cover all possible steps in the implementation of a monitoring program. In many cases, only a portion of the following steps will be necessary. Rangeland allotment permittees may be involved in as little or as much of the following process as they choose.
1. Summarize Background Information.
Permittees and their agency managers should visit about their perceptions of resource conditions on their allotments, including the conditions and locations of existing sampling areas. Review all previous information collected on the allotment especially range inspections, utilization surveys, and range analyses. Identify existing monitoring sites, crucial areas, and designated "critical" areas, Review soil surveys, wildlife information, material on plant requirements or any other information regarding limiting factors, resource values or management objectives, Review the Forest Plan and applicable standards, guides, and 'Desired Future Condition' statements. Review appropriate utilization 'criteria for the plant communities on the allotment.
Identify existing site specific management objectives including plant species composition and the condition of physical characteristics such as soil conditions and stream bank integrity, Evaluate existing objectives to ensure that they are realistic and attainable.
2. Determine Monitoring Objectives. Document the reasons for monitoring, What questions need to be answered and what is the simplest way to get the information necessary?
3. Select the Area to be Monitored. A "key area" may be a representative sample of a large stratum (such as a pasture or allotment with the capability to reflect what is happening on a larger area); or it may be representative of a small stratum having important values such as a heavy use area near water or a riparian zone. Area selection is closely tied to management objectives, The following criteria may be used to select these areas:
a) Monitoring areas will be identified by both permittees and BTNF range management specialists.
b) They should be representative of the range area in which they are located, be likely to show responses to management actions, and be indicative of management responses occurring on a larger scale.
c) Areas will be tied to specific resource management objectives or to those areas most sensitive to changes in management.
d) Sampling areas should be selected after careful evaluation of patterns of grazing use. Small areas of natural animal concentration such as those immediately adjacent to watering areas, salting areas, roads, trails, movement corridors, bed grounds or shade usually are not suitable management areas because they seldom reflect what occurs on a larger scale. Sites may be selected to represent similar sites having critical values such as riparian zones, fragile watersheds, or heavily grazed areas.
e) The number of areas selected will be based on the amount of information needed and the diversity of the monitoring area.
4. Determine Species to be Monitored. Identify key species for each monitoring site and utilization standards for those species, Allowable use standards and guides are documented in the Forest Plan.
5. Determine Appropriate Monitoring Type and Method. Based on the management and monitoring objectives and therefore the amount of information needed, select a monitoring strategy that will provide the data required, The level of complexity, expertise and the time commitment that either the permittee or the FS must make needs to be considered. Once a monitoring method is selected it is advantageous to maintain the consistent use of that method through successive years of the monitoring period. Supplemental monitoring information may be collected by either a permittee or BTNF personnel.
6. Summarize and Review Monitoring Data. In the case of short-term monitoring strategies, that data should be reviewed immediately to determine if management action (livestock movement, etc.) is necessary. An annual review of both short and long-term monitoring results between permittees and BTNF personnel may provide an opportunity to evaluate consistency in observations and to discuss the relevance of the results to management decisions. Occasional reviews by UW Range Staff or UW Extension will also be helpful.
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