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

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

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

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

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

Key Ecological Attribute Measurable Indicator SG population sizeMean # males on leks PJ species composition and dominance Presence of knapweed Health informs monitoring plan For each priority species / vegetation, select key ecological attributes and indicators MONITORING PLAN Monitoring 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) 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 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 LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION

LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION Priority Species/ Vegetation Key Ecological Attribute IndicatorsPriorityStatus Who monitors Annual Cost to BLM Funding Source Greater Sage- Grouse Population size & dynamics of sage grouse population Population size based on number of males on leks Very High On- going State Wildlife Agency $250 GIS support State Wildlife Agency Pinyon- Juniper Wood- lands Species composition / dominance Presence of knapweed Med.On- going BLM$500Part of Land Health Assessment Key Attributes Indicators Monitoring

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 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? 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 LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION

LAND USE PLANNING FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND VEGETATION