BLM core terrestrail indicators and methods

TitleBLM core terrestrail indicators and methods
Publication TypeGovernment Report
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsW. Mackinnon C, Herrick JE, Toevs GR, Karl JW, Karl MS, Spurrier C, Taylor J
Pagination1-13
PublisherBLM, National Operations Center
ARIS Log Number269255
AbstractThe Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) Strategy was initiated, in part, to evaluate current monitoring activities and recommend procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these activities. To this end, the AIM Strategy supports an integrated approach to: (1) document the location and abundance of natural resources on public lands; (2) facilitate the description of resource conditions; and (3) identify natural resource trends or changes. This recommendation will be accomplished through the integration of fundamental processes including: (a) development and application of a consistent set of ecosystem indicators (i.e., quantitative core indicators) and consistent measurement methods; (b) development and implementation of a statistically valid sampling framework; (c) application and integration of remote sensing technologies; and (d) implementation of related data acquisition and management plans. The purpose/intent of this report is to provide an introduction to, and describe, the Core Indicators and Methods component of the AIM Strategy. Further, this report provides guidance on how to maintain consistency of effort and resources (i.e., cited materials) for further details on established protocols. This Core Indicators and Methods component identifies a small set of core indicators (i.e., measurements) that, when collected, can be used for many purposes across ecosystem types including rangeland, forest, and riparian areas. This set of core indicators, based on quantitative land cover and vegetation data using standardized measurements, will allow data to be integrated across field, district, and state office boundaries.
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