Using photo points to monitor vegetative change. Whigham, Terry^*,1, Anderson, Charles¹, ¹ 310 South Mesquite St., Ft. Stockton, Texas, USA

ABSTRACT- Monitoring vegetative changes on rangeland is very important to determine if management strategies are allowing for improvement. In arid and semiarid environments periodic drought can have a dramatic impact on vegetative change. The preferred method for documenting vegetative change is to measure species composition and production by clipping. This method is very good for monitoring long-term vegetative change, but is not readily adopted by ranchers. A major reason for ranchers not adopting this monitoring plan is the fact that it is time intensive and requires a working knowledge of plant identification. The use of photo points can be an effective tool for landusers to use to monitor vegetative change due to management and climate. Photo points were established in 1982 on the Phillip Robbins Ranch which is located in Pecos County, Texas. The vegetation is typical of the Edwards Plateau Desert Grassland. The grazing management of the Robbins Ranch utilized the principles of the Savory Grazing System throughout a period which experienced annual precipitation ranging from 5 inches to 18.3 inches in a climate where the average precipitation is 12 inches per year. The photo points reflect over a 22 year period the interaction of good management and varying climatic conditions. In conclusion, in desert and semi-desert environments, despite good grazing management, photo points reveal climate at times is the dictating factor in rangeland succession.

KEY WORDS: Monitoring, Photo points, Drought