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Using Multiple Indicator Monitoring Protocols. Streambank Alteration. What is MIM Streambank Alteration?. The number of lines on the plot that intercept hoof prints, hoof shears – disturbances caused by trampling. 5 lines per frame – one sample
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Using Multiple Indicator Monitoring Protocols Streambank Alteration
What is MIM Streambank Alteration? • The number of lines on the plot that intercept hoof prints, hoof shears – disturbances caused by trampling. • 5 lines per frame – one sample • At least 80 samples per site – total of 400+ lines • % Streambank Alteration = the proportion of the 400+ lines that intercept hoof prints/shears
MIM Bank Alteration 80+ plots -400 Samples
Hoof Print & Hoof Shear Dimensions • Average width = 120.8 mm • Average length =171.8 mm 230mm 120 mm
Why use a simple intercept method? • Simple = more efficient • Simple = better agreement among observers
Variability Among Observers – Various methods • GLP: SD = 4.7, CV = 56 • GL : SD = 6.3, CV = 20 • BF: SD = 8.1, CV = 35 • MIM (35 tests): SD = 4.3 , CV = 22.7 Heitke et.al. 2008
MIM estimates length of greenline altered: MIM: 4 “Hits” = 80% LENGTH OF GREENLINE (within 1 hoof print ) altered = 90% AREA OF PLOT altered = 60% Typically the vegetated side of the greenline has fewer alterations
Results • Lower Regression Coefficient • 1:3 Relationship (.32 X MIM): • MIM 20% - AREA 10% • MIM 40% - AREA 16% • MIM 60% - AREA 23% • High Regression Coefficient • 1:1 relationship (.91 X MIM)
Proper Use of Bank Alteration • As a short-term indicator of disturbance effects on bank stability and vegetation • Any value assigned as a trigger to move livestock or as a measure of grazing use is a “guideline” which must be able to change through time (See Cowley 2002) • Thus a “Term and Condition” should incorporate an adaptive process.
EF Deer Creek Dominant Vegetation POPR– 65% MFE – 22% JUBA – 12% SCMI – 3% % Hydric – 19% Christopher Christie photo 2008 Sept. 2008 Bank alteration: 24% Bank stability: 51% June 2009 Bank alteration: 4% Bank stability: 67% June 2009 October 2009 Bank alteration:1% Bank stability: 70% Nick Stiner, Malheur NF – Fall 2009
Cowley 2002 – Lit Summary • “Little research data is available concerning the amount of streambank alteration that a stream can tolerate and repair each year.” • “Each of the authors mentioned above recognizes the ability of streams to repair a certain amount of bank alteration” • “The further a streambank is from the desired future condition, the less additional alteration it can tolerate and still recover to a stable level.”
Amount of Alteration that streambanks can repair annually depends upon: • Stream gradient • Streambed material composition, • Streambank soil composition, • Vegetation cover and type • Channel geometry, • Flow rate and timing, and • “. . . concentrated impacts under rotation systems can cause sufficient woody plant or streambank damage in a single season or year that recovery might take several years. Therefore, the best approach is to limit grazing stress to the site’s capability for annual recovery.” (Clary and Kruse 2004)
A Rational Approach to Bank Alteration Criteria and Standards • Existing Condition: Compare existing condition to a reference (best method) • Bank Stability (%): • Bank Cover (%): • Hydric herbaceous vegetation (%) • (closer these are to reference the higher the allowable level of bank alteration) • Channel Type: • >gradient = higher allowable level • > particle sizes = higher allowable level
The Confidence Interval • Any criteria requires consideration of the precision of the measurement. • CI for Streambank Alteration • 32 tests • Maximum – 11% • Minimum - .5% • Average – 6% • Using the CI: • Set trigger at allowable level minus 6% • Set standard at allowable level plus 6% • e.g. If allowable level is 20%, trigger might be set at 14%, and term and condition set at 26%.