Planning for Priority Species and Vegetation: Monitoring Framework

1. Planning for Priority Species and Vegetation: Monitoring Framework A Systematic Framework to Plan for Biological Resources In the BLM’s Land Use Planning Process March 11, 2010

2. LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION BLM LEARNING NETWORK How does it work? SYSTEMATIC FRAMEWORK Species / Vegetation Health Assessing Effects Develop Strategies Monitoring Plans 2

3. LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION On – Site Training CORE CONCEPTS • Identify priority species and vegetation • Assess health • Assess effects • Identify management strategies • Develop monitoring framework

4. LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION Monitoring • Informs the effectiveness of management strategies at: • Minimizing effects • Maintaining/restoring species or vegetation health • Determines when new strategies are needed • Generates priority species/vegetation health and effect summaries • Provides accountability

5. LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION Monitoring Framework PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION KEY ECOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES INDICATORS MONITORING PLAN

6. LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION Effectiveness vs. status monitoring Effectiveness vs. Status Measures Effectiveness Are management strategies having their intended effect? Adaptive Management Status How are the priority species and vegetation doing? How are effects to priority species and vegetation changing? Early Warning System

7. Monitoring LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION Health informs monitoring plan For each priority species / vegetation, select key ecological attributes and indicators MONITORING PLAN

8. LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION Indicators • Measurable entities used to assess the status and trends of a priority species or vegetation’s Key Ecological Attribute(s). • Indicators should be: • biologically relevant (reflect species or vegetation health) • socially relevant (recognized by stakeholders) • sensitive to anthropogenic stress (reflect threats) • anticipatory (early warning) • measurable • cost-effective (max. information/unit effort)

9. LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION Select Methods to Collect Data A good method is: • Appropriate at the temporal and spatial scale of the species/vegetation or effects • Accurate and Reliable • Cost-Effective • Feasible

10. LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION Tips to reduce monitoring costs • Consider qualitative low-cost options rather than no monitoring • Consider less frequent monitoring visits • Use partner data whenever possible • Engage volunteers in monitoring

11. LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION Key Attributes Indicators Monitoring

12. LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION Common issues and recommendations Status vs. Effectiveness Monitoring Establish effectiveness measures first Species/Vegetation vs. Effects Monitoring Monitor indicators that directly reflect objectives What is the appropriate level of investment? Consider • Presence of serious effects • Level of understanding of species, vegetation and effects • Where actions are occurring • Available resources

13. LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION Critical Questions • Has at least one indicator and monitoring protocol been identified for each objective? • Have irrelevant or redundant indicators been excluded? • Can the monitoring plan be feasibly implemented? At least the high priority indicators?

14. LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION Adaptive Management Monitoring data must be analyzed and results used to inform management actions and changes in management direction

15. LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION