Protocols
Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland and Savanna Ecosystems Volume I
The Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland and Savanna Ecosystems is a two volume technical reference intended to provide a standard set of methods for monitoring project design and data gathering. It is the result of a partnership which started in 1994 between USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Jornada Experimental Range (JER) in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It is currently in its second edition and has been revised to reflect input from multiple agencies and experts as well as direct field testing of the methods.
Volume I of the Monitoring Manual contains the basic reference material required to implement a prescribed monitoring program collecting vegetative and soil data pertaining to soil and site stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity.
Lotic Field Protocol for Wadeable Systems – TR1735-2
The Lotic AIM Field Protocol for Wadeable Systems provides standardized lotic core indicators, field sampling methodologies, electronic data capture, and the use of statistically valid sample designs for wadeable streams and rivers (i.e., lotic systems). The protocol in this technical reference outlines the field methodologies for the collection of the core and contingent indicators for lotic systems, as well as suggested covariates.
Lotic Evaluation and Design Management Protocol
The Lotic Evaluation and Design Management Protocol provides the standard procedures for moving and rejecting lotic AIM points and for iteratively managing designs throughout the field season.
Lotic Data Management and QAQC Protocol
The purpose of this protocol is to define and describe the Data Management, Quality Assurance (QA), and Quality Control (QC) steps for all lotic Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) efforts at different levels of management – Project Leads, Field Crews, State Monitoring Coordinators, the National Aquatic Monitoring Center (NAMC), and the National Operations Center (NOC). This protocol provides an overview for how to minimize data errors and establishes clear responsibilities for each party involved in monitoring data collection and QA/QC.
Lotic AIM Technology Manual
The purpose of this protocol is to assist Crews and Project Leads with all technological applications employed during the field season, and includes directions on how to use the communication, file sharing, photo database, and data collection applications.
Terrestrial AIM Rejection Criteria
The Terrestrial AIM Rejection Criteria provides the standard procedures for moving and rejecting terrestrial AIM points. The protocol was reviewed and approved by the National AIM team, several AIM State Leads and AIM Project Leads.
Terrestrial Data Management Protocol
The Terrestrial Data Management Protocol defines the Data Management, Quality Assurance (QA), and Quality Control (QC) step for all terrestrial Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) efforts at different levels of management – Project Leads, Field Crews, State Monitoring Coordinators, and the National Operations Center (NOC). The goal of this protocol is to be a guide for how to achieve low levels of error and to establish clear responsibilities for each party involved in the monitoring process.
Reclamation Site Monitoring Protocol
The Reclamation Site Monitoring Protocol is intended to be used as a template for field offices planning reclamation monitoring—particularly the vegetation component. Rules apply to an individual reclamation site to be monitored. Broader sample design considerations and how reclamation monitoring is connected with landscape monitoring will be discussed in the Reclamation chapter of Volume II of the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savannah Ecosystems, 2nd ed.
Sage Grouse Habitat Assessment Framework
The goal of the Habitat Assessment Framework is to provide policy makers, resource managers, and specialists with a framework for the conservation of sagebrush ecosystems across the landscape. This involves landscape-scale mapping and monitoring and provides standardized methods to help gather data locally that can apply to greater-scale monitoring and management efforts.
Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland and Savanna Ecosystems Volume II
The Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland and Savanna Ecosystems is a two volume technical reference intended to provide a standard set of methods for monitoring project design and data gathering. It is the result of a partnership which started in 1994 between USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Jornada Experimental Range (JER) in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It is currently in its second edition and has been revised to reflect input from multiple agencies and experts as well as direct field testing of the methods.
Volume II contains in-depth information on monitoring program design, supplementary data gathering methods, adapting monitoring to meet special case needs, and data analysis and interpretation
BLM Core Terrestrial Indicators and Methods Technical Note 440
Technical Note 440 introduces and describes the core indicators and methods component of the AIM Strategy. Further, this technical note provides guidance on how to maintain consistency of effort and resources (i.e., cited materials) when needing further details on established protocols.
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health (IIRH)
The IIRH manual is intended to enable an interdisciplinary team to quickly assess the state of rangeland based on readily-observed criteria using a reference sheet from the ecological site that the survey takes place on. It is not intended for trend determination, but the indicators speak to the biotic integrity, soil and site stability, and hydrologic function at the location.
Implementation Documents
Monitoring Design Worksheet
The Monitoring Design Worksheet provides a step-by-step template for designing BLM AIM efforts. It is encouraged to work through the design process as an ID team, but completion of the worksheet should be done in coordination with your state lead and the AIM team at the NOC.
Terrestrial Benchmark Tool, Version 2.2
This tool allows users to set benchmarks within some area of interest (e.g., BLM lands within a field office). The degree of departure of observed indicator values from benchmarks is used to assign conditions of: Meeting and Not meeting or Suitable, Marginal, Unsuitable, and Not Suitable. To assign benchmarks and derive subsequent conditions, data from TerrADat and LMF databases will need to be copied into the tool. An ArcGIS Tool comes with the Benchmark Tool download that assists with several steps of the process.
For access, contact Alex Laurence-Traynor.
Lotic Benchmark Tool
This tool allows users to derive reach specific condition ratings by defining benchmarks for individual indicators. The degree of departure of observed indicator values from benchmarks is used to assign condition ratings of major, moderate, or minor departure from reference conditions. To assign benchmarks and derive subsequent conditions, data from AquADat will need to be copied into the tool.
For access, contact Janet Miller.
Supporting Documents
AIM Background
Toevs et al. 2011. BLM AIM Strategy: For Integrated Renewable Resources Management (PDF)
MacKinnon et al. 2011 BLM Technical Note 440 Core Terrestrial Indicators and Methods
Taylor et al. 2014. BLM Tech Note 445 AIM Monitoring: A Component of the AIM Strategy (PDF)
Herrick et al. 2010. National Ecosystem Assessment Supported by Scientific and Local Knowledge (PDF)
Ecosystem Modeling, Mapping, and Remote Sensing
Booth and Cox 2008. Image Based Monitoring to Measure Ecological Change in Rangeland
Technical Resources
Lotic AIM Field Protocol For Wadeable Systems_TR1735-2
Lotic Data Management and QAQC Protocol
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health
Monitoring Manual For Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems Vol I – Core Methods (PDF)
Regional Monitoring for Wildlife and Water with an Emphasis on Energy Development
GRTS Design Resources
Ator, S.W., A.R. Olsen, A.M. Pitchford, and J.M. Denver. 2003. Application of a multipurpose unequal probability stream survey in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 39:872-885.
Olsen, A.R., T.M. Kincaid, and Q. Payton. ‘Chapter 6. Spatially balanced survey designs for natural resources’. Design and Analysis of Long-term Ecological Monitoring Studies. Ed. R.A. Gitzen, Ed. A.B. Cooper, Ed. J.J. Millspaugh, Ed. D.S. Licht. 2012. Cambridge University.