Summary and Comparison of Version 3.0 and Version 4.0

The Land Health Concept and Conservation (1946)Abnormal erosionDecline of yields Shortening of species listsDominance of plant weeds The capacity for self-renewal in the biota.Symptons of Land Sickness

IndicatorsAttributesInterpretationsApplications

Quantitative & Qualitative StudiesQuantitativeObjective Measure attributes Cheatgrass cover is 85% QualitativeObservedDescribe or rate attributes Cheatgrass is rated as abundant

Strength in Combining the Two

Whats Next? Version 4.0- peer review completed Published this summer Protocol will continue to evolve Quantitative Manual (Spring/03)

BLMs National Training Center (Phoenix)Course 1730-37 is an interagency course for BLM, NRCS, & NPS (others welcome)

Measurements added

Next course-Boise, ID June 23-27, 2003 Contact -Julie Decker 602-906-5507

/Measuring

Changes from Version 3.0 to 4.0Ecological Site Description and/or Ecological Reference Area(s) replaced by Reference Worksheet

Changes from Version 3.0 to 4.0Discarded Species Abundance Worksheet and incorporated this information into the Functional/Structural Worksheet

Incorporating more spatial context and State and Transition models into the protocol.

Fine-tuned the worksheets to improve usability.

Quantitative

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland HealthIntended UsesUsed by experienced personnel

Provide a preliminary evaluation of rangeland health

Identify areas (early warning) that are potentially at risk of crossing a threshold

Communication tool

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland HealthNot to be used to:Identify the cause(s) of resource problems

Make grazing or other management decisions

Stand alone as a trend or monitoring tool

Independently generate national/regional assessments of rangeland health

This technique is not to be used as a monitoring tool (e.g., trend) nor is it to be used as the sole basis for grazing decisions.

Additional qualitative and quantitative information should be evaluated for BLM S&Gs

Review Intended Uses section of TR to insure that this protocol is not used inappropriately

Lets work together to make it better