Winter 1996 (v8n1)
University of California Intermountain Workgroup
University of California, Cooperative Extension, Division of Agriculture
and Natural Resources, Oakland, CA. 1994
Analysis and debate at the national and regional level point to the need for accurate and consistent methods of assessing the sustainability of rangeland ecosystems. One essential tool for accomplishing this task is rangeland monitoring. Monitoring is the systematic recording of observations, processes, or activities to detect how rangeland changes over time. Monitoring methods vary in their complexity, but all are focused on assessing the productivity and stability of the resource base.
This "how to" manual is a step-by-step guide for developing and implementing a ranch monitoring program. It was written and produced by a team of natural resources advisors from University of California Cooperative Extension. These include Glenn Nader (Lassen County), Mike DeLasaux (Plumas-Sierra counties), Rick Delmas (Modoc County), Dan Drake (Siskiyou County), Larry Forero (Shasta-Trinity counties), Sheila Barry (Tehama County), Holly George (Plumas-Sierra counties), and Rhonda Gildersleeve (Inyo-Mono counties).
According to the authors of this handbook, monitoring is useful for: 1) determining the effectiveness of management practices; 2) establishing a record of range conditions documenting the effect of livestock grazing on key areas; 3) measuring a trend toward a desired condition; and 4) defending grazing practices.
The handbook is divided into two levels. Level 1-Beginning, introduces the concepts needed to start a ranch monitoring program. It describes why monitoring is important and how it can be used in different situations, and covers some basic methods of monitoring and organizing information. Specifically, the authors focus on how to use information from historical documents, US Geological Survey Maps, and aerial photographs; how to monitor and keep records with a camera; and how to supplement photographic information with more detailed observations.
Level 2-Advanced, offers more detailed guidelines for monitoring vegetative cover and for mapping forage conditions on the range. In addition, the advanced level looks at special applications for rangeland monitoring including riparian monitoring, water quality and fisheries, and monitoring wildlife.
One section of the handbook profiles the monitoring practices of an Inyo county rancher. In that profile, he offers a rancher's perspective on the usefulness of monitoring. "The point of monitoring should not be just to convince someone else of your management, but also as a document of changes over time. You, as the rancher, need to fine-tune your own observations and decisions for the land. Statistical concerns and techniques that the agencies use are really not very useful to ranchers-annual pictures of country you are familiar with can give you a lot of information to help you understand your land. A rancher's lifetime of observations, even though it can't be quantified, is still the best way to know the land. Taking pictures just makes the observations more acute, and documents what you already know. Do not be intimidated that there is a lot to know, just start on a simple level and get out there and do it every year. You will learn as you do it, and refine your techniques as you need to."
For more information, or to order copies of "How To" Monitor Rangeland Resources, contact Rhonda Gildersleeve, UC Cooperative Extension, 207 W. South Street, Bishop, CA 93514 Tel. (619)873-7854. Level 1 (44 pages) of the manual costs $15.00 plus $3.00 shipping. Level 2 is available at an additional charge (call for details). A companion video to this manual titled Observing your Rangelands Over Time: Setting up a Monitoring Program using Photos is also available for $15.00 plus $3.00 shipping.
(DEC.532) Contributed by David
Chaney
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