Document: HER-3-83-11
Integrated soil and vegetation monitoring for grassland, shrubland and savanna ecosystems.
HERRICK, J.E.* 1, J.VAN ZEE 1, A.MELGOZA 2, K.M.HAVSTAD 1 and W.G.WHITFORD 1,3
USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, Las Cruces, NM 88003 USA 1
INIFAP Estacion Experimental La Campana 2
USEPA ORD 3
Abstract:
Increasing interest in the status and ecologically-based management of western rangelands has generated renewed interest in monitoring. Most currently available ground-based monitoring systems are narrowly focussed (e.g. species richness or forage production), extremely expensive to implement, generate only qualitative data, or are poorly calibrated to the functions which they are designed to represent. We present a rapid, flexible, quantitative monitoring system which emphasizes resistance and resilience rather than any particular societal value. Remote sensing and ground-based qualitative evaluation systems are used for initial landscape stratification and site selection. The monitoring record includes photographs and one or more soil and vegetation measurements. Three measurements are included in the core set: (1) Plant cover and composition, together with litter, microbiotic crusts and rocks, are recorded using line-point intercept; (2) the size and distribution of canopy interspaces (potential erosion cells) are recorded using a continuous line intercept; (3) soil surface stability is measured using a simple field kit. Additional measurements are included depending on objectives, site characteristics and time available: Belt transects for woody and invasive plants, nested plots for species richness, soil penetrometer for compaction, single-ring infiltrometer for infiltration, and riparian channel vegetation surveys and channel profile for riparian systems. The manual also includes appendices describing several other supplementary methods. We present results of indicator calibrations and field tests in a variety of ecosystems in both the United States and Mexico. These tests demonstrate that the system is sensitive to change in critical ecosystem functions and can be easily adapted for use under a variety of conditions.
Keywords: monitoring, resistance, resilience, soil, vegetation, indicators
This abstract is being presented at: 3:30 PM in session:
CONSERVATION ECOLOGY