@proceedings {JRN55187, title = {LandPKS App for Planning and Monitoring Outcome-Based Grazing: New Features}, year = {2020}, month = {02/16/2020}, address = {Denver, CO}, abstract = {

Outcome-based grazing requires (1) defining management objectives that are realistic, (2) developing and implementing a management system , and (3) monitoring results. The Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS) can be used to easily and cost- effectively address the first and third requirements. The latest version includes a soil- and ecological-site identification function. This function can be used to define realistic management objectives based on both the long-term (ecological site), and current (ecological state) potential. Soil identification is based on location and improved with user inputs of soil texture (using a simple key) and color (using the phone{\textquoteright}s camera and a post-it note for calibration). A direct link provides full access to the ecological site description in EDIT. The vegetation monitoring tool is rapid (20 minutes/plot), requires only a yardstick and a pin flag, and generates the same indicators as those used by BLM in its AIM program (though at a lower level of precision). It will also include a new feature providing access to habitat information for selected species in some regions. Comparing this information with current data and the ecological site description can help decide whether it{\textquoteright}s realistic to manage for desired wildlife species. The new Land Management module supports agronomic record keeping (including precipitation, tillage, fertilizer, weed control, etc.) which can also be used for planning and tracking restoration and remediation treatments . Finally, the new version includes a data privacy option. The LandPKS app is available on both iPhone and Android.

}, keywords = {LandPKS App, Outcome-Based Grazing, Planning and Monitoring}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and S. W. Salley and J. Neff and Rachel Murph and Mize, M. and Jonathan Maynard and Brandon T Bestelmeyer} } @article {JRN55173, title = {Land restoration for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals}, year = {2019}, abstract = {

The International Resource Panel{\textquoteright}s GRO report provides a unique framework for focusing both local and global investments in the SDGs on those activities that promote {\textquotedblleft}improved resource productivity and a relative decoupling of well-being [e.g. SDGs 1-7] from resource use{\textquotedblright}. The {\textquotedblleft}Sustainability Scenario{\textquotedblright} (IRP 2019), used by the GRO report to support its conclusion that decoupling is possible, is based in part on assumptions about global shifts in population growth and consumption patterns. But it also relies on the potential for significant increases in resourceuse efficiency (see https://www.resourcepanel.org/glossary for definitions of {\textquotedblleft}decoupling{\textquotedblright} and related terms).

}, url = {files/bibliography/19-027.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Tanya Abrahamse} } @article {JRN55047, title = {Prioritizing land for investments based on short- and long-term land potential and degradation risk: A strategic approach}, journal = {Environmental Science and Policy}, volume = {96}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, pages = {52-58}, chapter = {52}, abstract = {

The response hierarchy of {\textquotedblleft}Avoid \> reduce \> reverse{\textquotedblright} is widely accepted as the best strategy for prioritizing actions designed to address land degradation at hectare to national scales. This hierarchy is based on the assumption that the economic return on investment (ROI) will usually be higher for actions that help avoid degradation than for those required to restore already degraded land. While a useful first step, the hierarchy fails to account for how differences in land potential, defined as its potential to sustainably generate ecosystem services, may affect the ROI of actions at each level of the response hierarchy. The objective of this paper is to present a strategy for improving ROI at the landscape scale and above by systematically applying a more holistic understanding of land potential to the identification and prioritization of land investments. This objective is addressed in three sections. The first section explains how the potential short- and long-term resistance and resilience of the land can be used together with its potential productivity to prioritize actions designed to avoid, reduce and reverse degradation. In the second section we explain how this prioritization can be further optimized based on an understanding of degradation risk as indicated by the land{\textquoteright}s potential to generate relatively high short-term profits under management systems that are likely to increase degradation, or result in degradation of restored land. This potential, and land managers{\textquoteright} perception of it, depend on a wide variety of factors including markets, infrastructure, and access to technology. Together these first two sections provide a framework for increasing ROI, while reducing the risk of failure at hectare to national scales. In the final section we briefly describe the Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS), a modular mobile app that makes it possible for virtually anyone with a smartphone to make the land potential determinations necessary to apply the framework described in the first two sections.

}, keywords = {economics, investment, land degradation, land evaluation, land restoration, return on investment}, doi = {doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.03.001}, url = {files/bibliography/19-003.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and J. Neff and Amy Quandt and S. W. Salley and Jonathan Maynard and Amy Ganguli and Brandon T Bestelmeyer} } @conference {JRN54999, title = {Rapid Soil and Ecological Site Identification and Vegetation Monitoring Using the LandPKS App and EDIT}, booktitle = {72nd Society for Range Management International Meeting}, year = {2019}, month = {02/2019}, publisher = {Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts}, organization = {Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts}, address = {Minneapolis, Minnesota}, abstract = {

There has been significant progress in standardizing rangeland inventory and monitoring methods in the past 20 years. Improved ecological site descriptions (ESDs) provide access to a wealth of information that can be used to optimize management. The protocols have been adopted by the NRCS and BLM, resulting in large datasets that are increasingly analyzed to improve ESDs. This {\textquotedblleft}big data{\textquotedblright} could also be used to interpret ranch-level monitoring results. Multiple indicators can be generated from these datasets, addressing a variety of objectives including livestock production, soil and water conservation, and wildlife habitat restoration. The vast majority of landowners and managers, however, are neither applying the standardized protocols nor accessing ESDs because the protocols require too much time, data storage and analysis are too complicated, and it{\textquoteright}s too difficult to identify ecological sites. We will provide an overview of a pair of new tools that address these challenges. LandPKS (Land-Potential Knowledge System) is a free mobile app that includes the following functions: (1) guided soil profile description that is used by embedded algorithms to (2) predict the soil and ecological site and (3) link to basic ecological site information in EDIT (Ecological Data Interpretation Tool). EDIT provides (4) the ability to independently identify ecological sites using embedded keys, (5) the information formerly available through ESIS in a much more user-friendly and interactive format, and (6) tools for entering and updating ecological site information. LandPKS also includes a {\textquotedblleft}LandCover{\textquotedblright} module that allows landowners and managers to (7) collect vegetation cover data compatible with the data collected by NRCS and BLM, and (8) automatically calculates indicators and backs up the data in the cloud. By late 2019 it will also allow users to compare their data with anonymized data from the large NRCS and BLM datasets for land with similar potential.

}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Joel R. Brown and Lepak, Dominika and Rachel Murph and Amy Quandt and Rizza, John and Curtis Talbot and Jebediah C. Williamson} } @article {JRN54923, title = {A Strategy for Defining the Reference for Land Health and Degradation Assessments}, journal = {Ecological Indicators}, volume = {97}, year = {2019}, month = {01/2019}, pages = {225-230}, chapter = {225}, abstract = {

Much of the confusion about the definition of reference conditions for land health and degradation assessments is due to differences in policy and management objectives. Selection of a historic reference where it is not necessary, such as in the definition of future land degradation neutrality, can add significant cost and uncertainty to land management projects that require some knowledge of the current status of the land relative to its potential. This paper (1) provides a review of conditions under which historic reference information is and is not required to meet management and policy objectives, (2) summarizes current approaches to defining the reference for land health and degradation assessments, and (3) presents a protocol, {\textquotedblleft}Describing Indicators of Rangeland Health{\textquotedblright} (DIRH) for collecting and organizing data that can be used to define a historic reference. This protocol builds on the framework and indicators presented in the {\textquotedblleft}Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health{\textquotedblright} (IIRH). IIRH uses a combination of scientific and local knowledge to generate soil- and climate-specific assessments of three attributes of land health. It is used in a number of countries. In the United States, data are aggregated over 30,000 locations to provide national assessments.

}, keywords = {Baseline, benchmark, indicator, land degradation, land health, rangeland health, Soil health}, doi = {doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.06.065}, url = {files/bibliography/19-002.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and P. L. Shaver and D.A. Pyke and M. Pellant and David P. Toledo and Nika Lepak} } @article {JRN55174, title = {Global citizen science for people}, journal = {Frontiers in Ecological Environment}, volume = {16}, year = {2018}, month = {11/2018}, pages = {491}, chapter = {491}, abstract = {

Polarized public discourse often seems to favor opinion over evidence, while threats of science funding cuts suggest that evidence may also become less available. It{\textquoteright}s easy to get discouraged. In the past two decades, references to {\textquotedblleft}globalization{\textquotedblright} were often met with similar concerns. We believe that this attitude is changing, due in part to a recognition of the benefits of globalized access to environmental knowledge.

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) has contributed to this transition. In 2006, it brought together a group of 500 participants in M{\'e}rida, Mexico, to consider the topic, {\textquotedblleft}Ecology in an Era of Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities for Environmental Scientists in the Americas{\textquotedblright} (see the resulting Frontiers{\textquoteright} Special Issue: https://bit.ly/2Qv1dhr). The participants were overwhelmingly from the generation that drove the explosive growth of global social networks as tools to access and share knowledge and information. Many of the discussions, both formal and informal, reflected a desire to focus on opportunities, including accelerating the globalization of scientific discovery and access to knowledge. These opportunities have expanded dramatically as nearly everyone in the developed world, and a rapidly increasing number globally, now carries a highly sophisticated, networked, electronic lab notebook (ie cell phone) with them {\textendash} a notebook that includes an embedded camera and a variety of other environmental sensors.

Scientists who recognize the potential power of millions of cell phone owners have focused primarily on data collection, with the goal of expanding the spatial and temporal scope of traditional science. We argue that this perspective is myopic at best. Benefits of engaging citizens in the entire scientific process, including interpretation, include more informed land-use and management decisions, and a greater understanding of the value of evidence-based decision making. Citizen-science apps could also foster a sense of global community, interdependence, and trust in science as awareness grows of the value of data, information, and knowledge contributed by citizens in other countries. Being part of a global community can also empower individuals and organizations to challenge assumptions about perceived trade-offs between consumption and production, as farmers and ranchers begin to collect and optionally share more data about their sustainable production systems. This should also accelerate innovation through the exchange of ideas, information, and inspiration.

One of the outcomes of the 2006 ESA conference was a call for the development of an {\textquotedblleft}Environmental Knowledge System{\textquotedblright} that would facilitate {\textquotedblleft}dynamic access to, and interpretation of, traditional and non-traditional knowledge sources{\textquotedblright} with the assumption that this system would be delivered through internet cafes. In 2007 the first iPhone was sold. In 2018 village land-use planners in Tanzania began determining the sustainable production potential of their land based on data they collect and interpret with the Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS; https://landpotential.org) mobile app. The development of this app was a direct outcome of the conference. Like most citizen-science apps, LandPKS provides a simple interface for data collection. But it also increasingly offers opportunities for users to visualize, manipulate, and interpret their data and, in the future, will serve as a gateway to other open-source tools, such as FarmOS (https://youtu.be/zua1y-hBcGc).

One of the lessons learned during the development of LandPKS and related apps is that a high level of engagement requires focusing on the immediate individual benefits for the citizens conducting the science, such as providing a service, or supporting site-specific management decisions, and less on long-term collective benefits of large, geographically dispersed datasets. One successful example is eBird (https://ebird.org), which has generated an incredibly valuable dataset by providing a useful bird identification service to its users.

We need to continue supporting successful initiatives like eBird. But we also need to expand citizen science so participants can use the scientific process, and easily access actionable scientific knowledge to make better decisions. This shift in focus can create positive feedback loops with benefits for all stakeholders. Land users can receive information better tailored to their unique circumstances, while scientists can obtain higher quality data to improve their models and decision-support tools.

We challenge the ecological community to work to support farmers, ranchers, land-use planners, and other natural resource managers with open-source, value-neutral tools that allow them to easily collect, share, and interpret their own data, and to apply these interpretations to manage their lands to be both more productive and more sustainable.

We believe that citizen science should go far beyond citizens contributing to science: it should also inspire and enable people to engage in the scientific process, so as to interpret their environment, make better decisions, innovate, and connect with other people around the world.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.1716}, url = {bibliography/18-028.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Cox, Dorn and Lundgren, Britt and Nindi, Stephen} } @article {JRN54822, title = {Two New Mobile Apps for Rangeland Inventory and Monitoring by Landowners and Land Managers}, journal = {Rangelands }, volume = {32}, year = {2017}, month = {2017}, pages = {46-55}, chapter = {46}, abstract = {

On the Ground

}, keywords = {assessment, inventory, mobile apps, monitoring}, doi = {10.1016/j.rala.2016.12.003}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Jason W. Karl and Sarah McCord and M. Buenemann and C. Riginos and Ericha Courtright and Justin Van Zee and Amy Ganguli and Angerer, J. and Joel R. Brown and D.W. Kimiti and R. Saltzman and Beh, Adam and Brandon T Bestelmeyer} } @article {JRN54845, title = {Two new mobile apps for rangeland inventory and monitoring by landowners and land managers}, journal = {Rangelands}, volume = {39}, year = {2017}, month = {04/2017}, pages = {46-55}, chapter = {46}, abstract = {

Rangeland inventory and monitoring have been transformed during the past 10 years by a number of major innovations. This paper reviews the status of two new mobile apps (LandInfo and LandCover) that are part of a larger {\textquotedblleft}Land-Potential Knowledge System{\textquotedblright} (LandPKS) that is being developed to capitalize on these four innovations in order to provide the knowledge and information needed to make land use and land management decisions at individual field, pasture, or ecological site scales. It focuses specifically on the opportunities to use these apps to support inventory and monitoring by landowners and land managers. The apps can be used to collect data that is compatible,and in many cases entirely consistent with the BLM{\textquoteright}s Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring, \ and the NRCS{\textquoteright}s National Resources Inventory program. Other featuresinclude one-time data entry and permanent cloud storage on a web portal and data visualization tools.

}, doi = {10.1016/j.rala.2016.12.003}, url = {files/bibliography/17-029.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Jason W. Karl and Sarah McCord and M. Buenemann and C. Riginos and Ericha Courtright and Justin Van Zee and Amy Ganguli and Angerer, J. and Joel R. Brown and D.W. Kimiti and R. Saltzman and Beh, Adam and Brandon T Bestelmeyer} } @conference {JRN54644, title = {From wildlife biology to soil science, the USDA and the United Nations}, booktitle = {2016 Ecological Society of America Meeting}, year = {2016}, month = {08/2016}, publisher = {Ecological Society of America Meeting}, organization = {Ecological Society of America Meeting}, address = {Fort Lauderdale, FL}, abstract = {

It all(?) started at age 18, wearing a rented tuxedo at the Explorers Club in NYC. I tried to explain my high school research on pine marten to my dinner companions while perched nervously on the dais. I haven{\textquoteright}t worn a penguin suit since, but every year has been just as fascinating as I{\textquoteright}ve worked my way down the {\textquotedblleft}food chain{\textquotedblright} from predators to prey to plants to soils, and up from science to management to policy, all thanks to an incredible series of careers, and amazingly just one job, as a research scientist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @proceedings {JRN54571, title = {Land degradation, monitoring, and adapting land management for sustainability}, year = {2016}, month = {01/2016}, publisher = {American Association for the Advancement of Science Meeting}, address = {Washington, DC}, abstract = {Land degradation impacts on agricultural production and other ecosystem services often far exceed those of climate change, yet these impacts are largely ignored. In September, the United Nations adopted a {\textquotedblleft}land degradation neutrality{\textquotedblright} target as part of its Sustainable Development Agenda. This paper will briefly review the role of soil biodiversity in meeting this target, and introduce a global Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS). The LandPKS is a suite of interactive apps that allows anyone with a mobile phone to access and share global and local knowledge and information about sustainable land management. This is the first global open source, open data system that allows users to identify the specific information that is relevant to the unique characteristics of their land, thanks to the ability to use the phone to collect soil and location information, and the power of cloud-based global knowledge bases, databases, and computing power. The system also allows users to easily monitor changes in their land, and to instantly store, access, visualize and share their monitoring data both on the phone and through a web portal. The paper concludes with a discussion of the power of open source, open data systems for accelerating the development, testing and adoption of the innovative management systems, system that will be necessary to use soil biology to limit land degradation and support restoration in the context of a rapidly changing climate. }, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @article {JRN54559, title = {The Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS): mobile apps and collaboration for optimizing climate change investments}, journal = {Ecosystem Health and Sustainability}, volume = {2}, year = {2016}, month = {03/2016}, chapter = {e01209}, abstract = {

Massive investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation are projected during coming decades.\  Many of these investments will seek to modify how land is managed. The return on both types of investments can be increased through an understanding of land potential: the potential of the land to support primary production and ecosystem services, and its resilience. A Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS) is being developed and implemented to provide individual users with point-based estimates of land potential based on the integration of simple, geo-tagged user inputs with cloud-based information and knowledge. This system will rely on mobile phones for knowledge and information exchange, and use cloud computing to integrate, interpret, and access relevant knowledge and information, including local knowledge about land with similar potential. The system will initially provide management options based on long-term land potential, which depends on climate, topography, and relatively static soil properties, such as soil texture, depth, and mineralogy. Future modules will provide more specific management information based on the status of relatively dynamic soil properties such as organic matter and nutrient content, and of weather. The paper includes a discussion of how this system can be used to help distinguish between meteorological and edaphic drought.

}, keywords = {agriculture, analytics, crowdsourcing, expert systems, extension, knowledge management, land evaulation, land-use planning, mobile apps, sustainability, sustainable land managemen}, doi = {10.1002/ehs2.1209}, url = {/files/bibliography/16-007.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Beh, Adam and Barrios, E. and Coetzee, M and Bouvier, I. and Dent, D. and Emile H. Elias and Hengl, T. and Jason W. Karl and H. Liniger and Matuszak, John and Nudungu, L. and Obersteiner, M. and Shephers, K. and K.C. Urama and van der Bosch, R. and Nicholas Webb} } @conference {JRN54639, title = {Landscape soil variability in relatively static and dynamic properties in arid and semi-arid ecosystems: do they matter for restoration?}, booktitle = {2016 Ecological Society of America Meeting}, year = {2016}, month = {08/2016}, publisher = {2016 Ecological Society of America Meeting}, organization = {2016 Ecological Society of America Meeting}, address = {Fort lauderdale, FL}, abstract = {
Background/Question/Methods:
Soils matter for restoration. Or do they? This paper takes a process-based approach to this question, using a combination of published literature, pedotransfer functions, and several datasets where a range of relatively static and dynamic soil properties were measured on four different soil types in relatively undegraded and degraded ecological states in the four northern Chihuahuan Desert ecological sites: Sandy, Shallow Sandy, Gyp Upland and Clay Loam. \ Measured soil properties included soil texture, aggregate stability, water infiltration capacity, bulk density, penetrometer resistance, and soil organic carbon.
Results/Conclusions:\ 
Like so many questions in ecology, the answer is {\textquotedblleft}it depends{\textquotedblright}. It depends on the climate. It depends on what is being restored. And it depends on the soil property: how much does it matter to restoration success, how much does it vary naturally in the target landscape, and to what extent has the soil property been modified by degradation, and to what extent can it be enhanced prior to or during vegetation establishment? Our analyses, supported by additional published studies, show that while it is nearly always important to consider relatively static soil properties, such as soil texture, when planning restoration in semi-arid environments, the relative importance of dynamic soil properties varies widely across the landscape. The cost-effectiveness and success rate of restoration projects may be improved by careful consideration of when, where and what soil properties need to be considered in both selecting appropriate restoration treatments, and targeting these treatments to those parts of the landscape with the greatest potential for success. We conclude with a brief description of how existing assessment systems, including State and Transition Models, Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health, and Pedoderm Pattern Classes, can be used together to rapidly assess the status of key dynamic soil properties, and how the Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS) can be used to rapidly describe and document relatively static properties using mobile phone apps.
}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and S. W. Salley and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Joel R. Brown and S.A. Wills} } @article {JRN54582, title = {Summary for policymakers: Unlocking the sustainable potential of land resources. Evaluation systems, strategies and tools}, number = {DT/2002/PA}, year = {2016}, month = {06/2016}, pages = {27 pp}, institution = {United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)}, abstract = {

Land evaluation can be used by national policymakers, international development organizations, farmers, and conservationists to increase productivity, biodiversity conservation success, and to promote innovation. Land evaluation helps make better decisions about how to use the land, and is therefore essential to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (Sustainable Development Goal 15.3). An understanding of the longterm land potential is needed to (a) determine where production can be sustainably increased, and (b) identify land that could be restored.\  Matching land use with its potential allows the inherent long-term potential to be sustainably realized.\  Sustainability depends on (1) potential degradation resistance, and (2) potential resilience, which is the capacity to recover from degradation. Land with similar potential should therefore respond similarly to management.\  Policymakers, development organizations, and land managers, including farmers and conservationists, can use land evaluation to (a) increase productivity while adapting to climate change, (b) minimize social, economic, and environmental risks of land use change, (c) increase restoration and biodiversity conservation success, and (d) promote innovation and knowledge sharing.

}, issn = {DTI/2002/PA}, url = {/files/bibliography/16-013.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Arnalds, O. and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Brignezu, S. and G. Han and Mari-Vaughn V. Johnson and Lu, Y. and Montanarella, L. and Pengue, W. and Toth, G.} } @book {JRN54578, title = {Unlocking the sustainable potential of land resources evaluation systems, strategies and tools}, year = {2016}, pages = {89 pp.}, publisher = {United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)}, organization = {United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)}, abstract = {

Better matching of land use with its sustainable potential is a {\textquotedblleft}no-regrets{\textquotedblright} strategy for sustainably increasing agricultural production on existing land, targeting restoration efforts to where they are likely to be most successful, and guiding biodiversity conservation initiatives. Land potential is defined as the inherent, long-term potential of the land to sustainably generate ecosystem services. This report provides an introduction to land potential evaluation systems, strategies and tools necessary to implement this strategy. It provides information that both private landowners and policymakers can use to increase long-term productivity and profitability, while at the same time addressing global objectives defined through land-related Sustainable Development Goals, and particularly 15.3 (land degradation neutrality). The focus of the report is on the inherent long-term (decades) potential of the land to sustainably generate ecosystem services, based on soils, topography and climate. In general, land that can sustainably support higher levels of vegetation production, including crop, forage and tree, has higher potential. Short-term land potential (1-5 years) depends on a combination of long-term potential, weather, and the current condition of the land (e.g. fertility, compaction, current vegetation cover). Matching land use with its potential determines whether the inherent long-term potential is sustainably realized. Sustainability depends on (1) potential degradation resistance, and (2) potential resilience, which is the capacity to recover from degradation. Land with similar potential should therefore respond similarly to management. Policymakers have a tremendous number of opportunities to leverage land evaluations to both increase returns on investments, while minimizing risks of catastrophic failures, such as Britain{\textquoteright}s post-world war II peanut scheme in Tanzania, and the United States Dust Bowl, which resulted from an ill-informed agricultural expansion in the early part of the 20th century. Policy options for applying land evaluation include, but are not limited to (1). setting realistic, practical targets for land degradation neutrality, (2). general land use planning to decide which lands should be reserved for agricultural production and biodiversity conservation, (3). agricultural land use planning to sustainably increase food security and the profitability of the farming sector, (4). land reform and redistribution to ensure that (a) objectives for equitability are met and (b) tract sizes meet requirements for minimum economic production units, and (c) providing new landowners with appropriate information on the best available management practices specific to their land, (5). designing incentive and other programs to minimize degradation risk, and (6). optimizing climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives by effectively targeting resources to where the greatest returns on investments are likely to occur. The report provides an overview of existing land evaluation systems, options for making them more useful by integrating resilience, and for applying land evaluation to policy.

}, url = {/files/bibliography/16-012.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Arnalds, O. and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Brignezu, S. and G. Han and Mari-Vaughn V. Johnson and Montanarella, L. and Pengue, W. and Toth, G.} } @inbook {JRN54652, title = {A risk-based strategy for climate change adaptation in dryland systems based on an understanding of potential production, soil resistance and resilience, and social stability}, booktitle = {Sustainable intensification to Advance Food Security and Enhance Climate Resilience in Africa}, volume = {Springer. pp. 407-424}, year = {2015}, publisher = {Springer International}, organization = {Springer International}, abstract = {
Climate change is expected to increase the intensity and temporal variability of storm events in many areas while reducing their frequency, resulting in increased runoff, and drought frequency and severity. Soil degradation can exacerbate these impacts by reducing both infiltration and plant-available water holding capacity. Therefore, an understanding of soil resistance and resilience to degradation is necessary to target climate change adaptation investments where they will have the largest impact. This paper (1) reviews key concepts necessary to understand the dynamic relationships between climate change adaptation, soil resistance and resilience, and social stability, and (2) provides a strategy for maximizing return on climate change adaptation investments in drylands based on an understanding of soil and ecosystem resilience. The strategy includes seven steps, which are completed for each landscape unit in the context of the surrounding landscape: (1) Determine current potential productivity based on soils, topography, and existing climate conditions. (2) Determine future potential productivity based on soil, topography, and climate change scenarios. (3) Rank landscape units based on predicted change in potential productivity. (4) Determine risk of land use change. (5) Determine degradation risk with and without land use change. (6) Rank each landscape unit based on degradation risk with and without land use change. (7) Determine priorities for climate change and soil conservation investments. The strategy described here can be applied on multiple scales to address a wide variety of objectives. We conclude by suggesting that climate change adaptation resources allocation decisions include consideration of soil resistance and resilience.
}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-09360-4_22}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Beh, Adam} } @conference {JRN54452, title = {Using soils and land potential as a basis for land use decisions and conservation planning: A resilience-based strategy}, booktitle = {100th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America}, year = {2015}, month = {08/2015}, publisher = {Ecological Society of America}, organization = {Ecological Society of America}, address = {Baltimore, MD}, abstract = {

Land use decisions are becoming increasingly complex and contentious as demands for food, fiber, energy and infrastructure expand. Recent definitions of {\textquotedblleft}planetary boundaries{\textquotedblright} and arbitrary land use limits circumscribing the {\textquotedblleft}Safe Operating Space{\textquotedblright} for humans are helpful in drawing attention to global resource constraints, but fail to recognize that some uses of some types of land result in relatively irreversible changes to the land potential, while others sustain or even restore the capacity of the land to provide a diverse ecosystem services in the future.\  This paper describes a resilience-based strategy for using soils to sustain long-term land potential, while increasing the supply of land-requiring products and services. This strategy includes five elements. Each of the elements is based on a simple definition of soil resilience: soil is assumed to be resilient to a particular land use if its capacity to support the currently possible range ecosystem services can be restored within a human generation solely through vegetation management. Land uses are generally resilient if they do not result in modification of the relatively static properties of the soil profile, including texture, depth and mineralogy. Most (but not all) soils, for example, are resilient to soil organic matter losses provided that near-surface soil texture is not modified through erosion or deposition. (1) Identify land already dominated by human use where {\textquotedblleft}ecosystem service gaps{\textquotedblright} exist by constraining the definition of {\textquotedblleft}gap{\textquotedblright} to the difference between current yields and the highest yield achievable without a loss of land potential.\  (2) Identify land where current land use is unsustainable. (3) Carefully match land use and management with land potential, ensuring the maximum sustainable benefit is achieved from each hectare of land. (4) Promote development of new management systems and technologies designed to sustainably exceed current potential. (5) Promote innovation by facilitating more rapid knowledge and information sharing among individuals managing similar types of land. The paper concludes with a brief overview of several new reports and tools, including mobile apps, designed to help land use planners, conservation planners and land managers better match land use with land potential.\  OOS 31-5.

}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @conference {JRN53996, title = {Adapting to climate change and disaster risk reduction through sustainable land management: Experiences in Tajikistan, East Africa, US, Argentina and Mongolia}, booktitle = {UNCCD 2nd Scientific Conference}, year = {2013}, month = {04/2013}, address = {Bonn, Germany}, abstract = {

The special session will share and discuss experiences from different regions, namely from Tajikistan, East Africa, US, Argentina and Mongolia. Within the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) in Tajikistan 70 SLM technologies and approaches on how to implement SLM were documented with the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT \– www.wocat.net) tools in 2011. Initial results will be presented. Furthermore, a general approach for resilience-based management in the US, Argentina, and Mongolia, taking advantage in several new natural resource management concepts and technologies will be presented with a brief reference to the development of a global system for defining land potential, that complements the work described here.

}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Gordon R. Toevs} } @article {49850, title = {The global land-potential knowledge system (LandPKS): Supporting evidence-based, site-specific land use and management through cloud computing, mobile applications, and crowdsourcing}, journal = {Journal of Soil and Water Conservation}, volume = {68}, year = {2013}, month = {01/2013}, pages = {5A-12A}, chapter = {5A}, abstract = {

Agricultural production must increase significantly to meet the needs of a growing global population with increasing per capita consumption of food, fiber, building materials, and fuel. Consumption already exceeds net primary production in many parts of the world.\  In addition to reducing consumption, there are two options to meet these needs: production intensification and land conversion.\  The largest gains achievable through agricultural intensification will likely occur on lands with the largest unrealized production potential, or yield gap. These lands have high potential production and low current production. Similarly, the highest returns on investments to be gained by land conversion should occur on lands with the highest potential production, assuming similar infrastructure, per acre conversion costs, and other market conditions.\  This paper describes how a new cloud-based Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS; www.landpotential. org) will allow land potential to be defined explicitly and dynamically for unique and constantly changing soil and climate conditions and to be updated based on new evidence about the success or failure of new management systems on different soils. The knowledge engine (figure 2), together with simple applications for mobile phones, will also facilitate more rapid and complete integration and dissemination of local and scientific knowledge about sustainable land management.

}, doi = {10.2489/jswc.68.1.5A }, url = {/files/bibliography/13-010.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and K.C. Urama and Jason W. Karl and Boos, John and Mari-Vaughn V. Johnson and Keith Shepherd and Hempel, Jon and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and J. Davis and Guerra, Jose Larson and Kosnik, Chris and D.W. Kimiti and Ekai, Abraham L. and Muller, Kit and Norfleet, L.M. and Ozor, Nicholas and Reinsch, Thomas and J. Sarukhan and West, L.T.} } @article {49852, title = {Land degradation and climate change: A sin of omission?}, journal = {Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment}, volume = {11}, year = {2013}, month = {08/2013}, pages = {283}, type = {Editorial}, chapter = {283}, abstract = {

Although the environmental and social impacts of climate change may exceed those of land degradation at some point in the future, the effects of land degradation are occurring now. Furthermore, while climate-change mitigation requires global solutions, individuals and communities can successfully reduce land degradation at the local level. We offer two recommendations. First, the current focus on climate-change research should be complemented by research on ecological processes associated with land degradation and the development of solutions based on an understanding of these processes. Second, an enhanced understanding of land potential is necessary to target\  imited resources to increase agricultural production, conserve biodiversity, promote recovery of degraded lands, and adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

}, doi = {10.1890/1540-9295-11.6.283}, url = {/files/bibliography/13-024.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and O. E. Sala and Jason W. Karl} } @proceedings {49851, title = {A land-potential knowledge system (LandPKS) based on local and scientific knowledge of land productivity and resilience}, year = {2013}, month = {04/2013}, pages = {314-318}, publisher = {UNCDD}, address = {Bonn, Germany}, abstract = {

Economic assessment of land use change in drylands depends on understanding potential productivity, degradation resistance and resilience, all of which vary widely and are often ignored. Rapidly increasing demand, together with new technologies, migration and global capital mobility are driving dramatic land use changes. Management practices that are productive and sustainable on one type of land may, when applied to adjacent lands, result in irreversible degradation due to differences in soil, topography and climate. Conversely, lessons learned on land separated by thousands of kilometers are often relevant, provided that similar conditions exist. New technologies, including cloud-computing, digital soil mapping, GPS-enabled camera phones, and mobile \‘apps\’ now provide the opportunity to gather, integrate and share new knowledge and information about land potential, while global databases make existing knowledge more accessible and easier to match to relevant conditions. A new \“Land-Potential Knowledge System\” (LandPKS) will integrate existing natural resource databases with targeted field data collection of knowledge and information using new cell phone-based tools. An understanding of land potential can be used to determine where: (1) land is not meeting its productive potential (for all ecosystem services), (2) unrealistic expectations are driving unsustainable development investments, and (3) proposed intensification is likely to lead to irreversible degradation. Decision tools will support land use planning and targeted interventions by governments, development and conservation organizations and farmers. Knowledge of land potential can dramatically increase the return on investment by focusing resources on sustainable land uses and management strategies.

}, keywords = {decision support system, mobile apps, mobile phones, soil, sustainable land management}, url = {/files/bibliography/13-011.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and K.C. Urama and Jason W. Karl and Boos, John and Mari-Vaughn V. Johnson and Keith Shepherd and Hempel, Jon and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and J. Davis and Guerra, Jose Larson and Kosnik, Chris and D.W. Kimiti and Losinyen, Abraham and Muller, Kit and Norfleet, L.M. and Ozor, Nicholas and Reinsch, Thomas and J. Sarukhan and West, L.T.} } @conference {JRN53997, title = {Practical tools for monitoring and assessment of DLDD for economic assessments}, booktitle = {UNCCD 2nd Scientific Conference}, year = {2013}, month = {04/2013}, abstract = {

We will provide a series of brief introductions (4-8 minutes each) to a suite of practical tools that are being applied by land managers and policymakers throughout the world. The remainder of the side event will be devoted to hands-on demonstrations. The presentations will include both a description of the tools, and how they are being applied to guide land management at the local scale and (for some) to support national reporting to the UNCCD by the United States. The tools to be highlighted include (among others) (1) an entire dryland monitoring system that requires only a 1m stick, a single sheet of paper, and no ability to read or write (jornada.nmsu.edu + Riginos poster), (2) additional simple field tools including a 10 minute test for soil resistance to erosion (jornada.nmsu.edu + Herrick et al 2010 - Frontiers), (3) a user-friendly database for streamlining and standardizing data collection, and automatically generating land health indicators (jornada.nmsu.edu + Courtright Poster), (4) an assessment system for 3 key attributes of land health that has already been applied at over 30,000 locations (Herrick et al 2010 - Frontiers), (5) simple tools for analyzing aerial photography that do not require a background in GIS or remote sensing (landscapetoolbox.org), and (6) a tools for estimating how may measurements are needed at multiple spatial scales (landscapetoolbox.org). All of the tools and guides can be freely downloaded at jornada.nmsu.edu (click on \‘Monitoring\’) or landscapetoolbox.org, and some are available in several languages, including Chinese, Mongolian and Spanish.

}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Gordon R. Toevs} } @article {49886, title = {A holistic strategy for adaptive land management}, journal = {Journal of Soil and Water Conservation}, volume = {67}, year = {2012}, month = {08/0/2012}, pages = {105A-113A}, chapter = {105A}, abstract = {

Adaptive management is widely applied to natural resources management. Adaptive management can be generally defined as an iterative decision-making process that incorporates formulation of management objectives, actions designed to address these objectives, monitoring of results, and repeated adaptation of management until desired results are achieved. In this paper, we argue for a more holistic and systematic approach to adaptive management. We define holistic, adaptive, land management (HALM) as a refinement of adaptive management that requires (1) a process-based understanding of ecosystem dynamics and ecological mechanisms, (2) a willingness and ability to identify and consider all possible management alternatives, (3) rigorous monitoring of management effects, and (4) constant adaptation of management based on monitoring data and associated observations.

}, doi = {10.2489/jswc.67.4.105A}, url = {/files/bibliography/12-018.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Danielle Duni and D.A. Pyke and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and S.A. Wills and Joel R. Brown and Jason W. Karl and Kris Havstad} } @proceedings {JRN54543, title = {The land potential knowledge system (LandPKS): Increasing land productivity and resilience}, volume = {p. 64}, year = {2012}, month = {11/2012}, publisher = {African Technology Policy Studies}, address = {Addis Ababa, Ethiopia}, abstract = {Africa must significantly increase agricultural production to meet the needs of a growing population. Current efforts focus on intensifying production on currently used lands and expanding to un- or under-utilized lands. The success of both strategies requires understanding the land{\textquoteright}s potential productivity, and its resilience: its ability to resist or recover from degradation. Both potential productivity and resilience can vary widely across areas from less than a hectare to thousands of square kilometers, depending on soils, topography and climate. An understanding of land potential is therefore needed by governments for land use planning and climate change adaptation, and for negotiating land contracts that will ensure that a nation{\textquoteright}s productive capacity will be maintained. It is needed by national extension and international development organizations to target their investments. Finally, this understanding is needed by individual farmers to determine how to best feed their children today, while ensuring that future generations will also be able to feed themselves. Much of the necessary information and knowledge to understand land potential already exists in the scientific literature and as local knowledge, but is often not accessible or easily integrated and shared. Where the information and knowledge are accessible, the types of land to which they are relevant is often unclear. In some cases, the most similar soil and climate conditions (and therefore the best places to look for successful management strategies) may exist within a country, while in others the closest analog may be on a different continent. The USDA and ATPS have established a partnership to develop a Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS) with initial support from USAID, following on an ongoing ATPS social innovation project supported by the Rockefeller Foundation. The LandPKS will use mobile phone technologies and web-based knowledge engine to allow policymakers and land managers to share and access the most current information and knowledge for their specific type of land. A secondary function of this system will be to directly connect farmers, including women, with nearby farmers who have developed innovative strategies that they have tested on the same type of land. It will also increase the value and efficiency of existing agricultural extension workers by providing them with the tools and information necessary to communicate more specific and timely recommendations to particular groups of farmers (e.g., providing information on drought management specifically to those farmers with soils that are the most sensitive to drought). Following the development of the knowledge engine and mobile phone applications (2013), LandPKS will be piloted in Kenya and Namibia (2014). These countries were selected because they include a broad range of biophysical conditions (soils and climate), large areas that are currently undergoing different types of land use change, a diversity of land ownership systems (communal, private and public), and very different levels of local knowledge, and management objectives, including both agricultural production and biodiversity conservation. Beginning in 2015, we expect to make LandPKS globally available. LandPKS is being designed to complement and increase the value of the work of a large number of other projects and initiatives, including AfSIS, and we look forward to developing new partnerships as the system evolves. Like many other social innovations, the development and implementation process will rely strongly on partnerships as the benefits of participating in the system are expected to vastly exceed adoption costs for both individuals and organizations.}, keywords = {ATPS, Innovative strategies, land information, Land potential knowledge system, Resilence, USDA}, url = {files/bibliography/12-LPKS-Herrick.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and K.C. Urama and Boos, John and Jason W. Karl and Kosnik, Chris} } @article {49885, title = {Revolutionary land use change in the 21st century: Is (rangeland) science relevant?}, journal = {Rangeland Ecology and Management}, volume = {65}, year = {2012}, month = {11/2012}, pages = {590-598}, chapter = {590}, abstract = {

Rapidly increasing demand for food, fiber and fuel together with new technologies and the mobility of global capital are driving revolutionary changes in land use throughout the world. Efforts to increase land productivity include conversion of millions of hectares of rangelands to crop production, including many marginal lands with low resistance and resilience to degradation. Sustaining the productivity of these lands requires careful land use planning and innovative management systems. Historically, this responsibility has been left to agronomists and others with expertise in crop production. In this paper, we argue that the revolutionary land use changes necessary to support national and global food security potentially make rangeland science more relevant now than ever. Maintaining and increasing relevance will require a revolutionary change in range science from a discipline that focuses on a particular land use or land cover to one that addresses the challenge of managing all lands that, at one time, were considered to be marginal for crop production. We propose four strategies to increase the relevance of rangeland science to global land management: (1) expand our awareness and understanding of local to global economic, social, and technological trends in order to anticipate and identify drivers and\  patterns of conversion, (2) emphasize empirical studies and modeling that anticipate the biophysical (ecosystem services) and societal consequences of large-scale changes in land cover and use, (3) significantly increase communication and collaboration with the disciplines and sectors of society currently responsible for managing the new land uses, and (4) develop and adopt a dynamic and flexible resilience-based land classification system and data-supported conceptual models (e.g., State and Transition models) that represent (a) all lands, irrespective of use and (b) the consequences of land conversion to various uses, instead of changes in state or condition that are focused on a single land use.

}, keywords = {degradation, economics, food security, resilience, soil depth, sustainable land management}, doi = {10.2111/REM-D-11-00186.1}, url = {/files/bibliography/12-030.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Joel R. Brown and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and S. Andrews and Baldi, G. and J. Davis and Danielle Duni and Kris Havstad and Jason W. Karl and Karlen, D.L. and Debra C. Peters and Quinton, J. N. and C. Riginos and P. L. Shaver and Diego Steinaker and Twomlow, S.} } @inbook {49884, title = {Sustainable soils: Synthesis}, booktitle = {Soil Ecology and Ecosystem Sevices}, year = {2012}, pages = {395-396}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, organization = {Oxford University Press}, abstract = {

The six chapters of the "Sustainable Soils" section of the book "Soil Ecology and Ecoystem Services" support the fundamental role that soil biota play in sustaining soil structure and nutrient cycling as the foundation for nearly all ecosystem services while illustrating the challenges of documenting explicit, consistent relationships. Provisioning services, including crop production, were the focus of the majority of the studies cited in this section and a high proportion of the management system comparisons are limited to conventional tillage against some form of organic or conservation tillage-based system. Despite these inherent limitations of the existing literature, a number of lessons can be drawn. Five that are particularly significant were each cited in at least two of the chapters: (1) the importance of spatial and temporal context for interpreting soil biota-sustainability relationships, (2) the importance of systematic approaches, common methods, and protocols to study soil biota {\textendash} sustainability relationships, (3) the value of long-term studies for identifying and validating functional relationships, particularly where chronic, cumulative and acute disturbances are involved, (4) the potential value of local knowledge for identifying, documenting and monitoring these relationships, and (5) the extent to which hysteresis must be considered to understand and predict the potential contribution of soil biota to resilience and restoration.

}, keywords = {book chapter}, url = {files/bibliography/12-Synthesis-Herrick.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and J. Six} } @proceedings {JRN54545, title = {Agroecohydrology: Key to feeding 9 billion?}, volume = {Control ID 1211464}, year = {2011}, month = {07/2012}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco, CA}, abstract = {Agricultural production necessary to feed 9 billion people in 2050 depends on increased production on existing croplands, and expanding onto {\textquoteleft}marginal{\textquoteright} lands. A high proportion of these lands are marginal because they are too steep or too dry to reliably support crop production. These same characteristics increase their susceptibility to accelerated erosion, leading (for most soil profiles) to further reductions in plant available water as infiltration and soil profile water holding capacity decline. Sustaining production on these marginal lands will require careful land use planning. In this paper, we present a land use planning framework that integrates 4 elements: (1) potential production (based on soil profile characteristics), (2) edaphic, topographic and climatic limitations to production, (3) soil resistance to degradation, and (4) resilience. This framework expands existing land capability classification systems through the integration of biophysical feedbacks and thresholds. State and transition models, similar to those currently applied to rangelands in the United States and other countries, are used to organize and communicate knowledge about the sustainability of different land use changes and management actions at field to regional scales. This framework emphasizes hydrologic characteristics of soil profiles and landscapes over fertility because fertility declines are more easily addressed through increased inputs. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of how research in ecohydrology can be more effectively focused to support sustainable food production in the context of increasingly rapid social and economic changes throughout the world.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @proceedings {49947, title = {Are we ready for the (range)land revolution?}, year = {2011}, month = {04/2011}, address = {Rosario, Argentina}, abstract = {

Rangeland scientists have a tremendous amount of knowledge that could ensure that the transition from livestock production to other land uses is as sustainable as possible, while maintaining livestock production systems where they are the most biophysically, socially, culturally and economically sustainable option. The rate and extent of these land use changes, however, will require a new approach to our science and how we communicate it. We can increase our ability to contribute to the future management of these lands through (1) increased awareness of global social, economic, and technological trends, (2) research and modeling that anticipate the potential effects of large-scale changes in land cover and land use on ecosystem services across a wide variety of soils, landforms and climate conditions, and (3) dramatically increased communication and collaboration with the disciplines and sectors of society responsible for managing the new land uses.

}, keywords = {rangeland}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and S. Andrews and Baldi, G. and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Joel R. Brown and J. Davis and Danielle Duni and Kris Havstad and Debra C. Peters and Quinton, J. N. and C. Riginos and P. L. Shaver and Diego Steinaker and Twomlow, S.} } @article {50033, title = {Fine gravel controls hydrologic and erodibility responses to trampling disturbance for coarse-textured soils with weak cyanobacterial crusts}, journal = {CATENA}, volume = {83}, year = {2010}, month = {08/2010}, pages = {119-126}, chapter = {119}, abstract = {We compared short-term effects of lug-soled boot trampling disturbance on water infiltration and soil erodibility on coarse-textured soils covered by a mixture of fine gravel and coarse sand over weak cyanobacterially-dominated biological soil crusts. Trampling significantly reduced final infiltration rate and total infiltration and increased sediment generation from small (0.5 m2) rainfall simulation plots (p\<0.01). Trampling had no effect on time to runoff or time to peak runoff. Trampling had similar effects at sites with both low and very low levels of cyanobacterial biomass, as indicated chlorophyll a concentrations. We concluded that trampling effects are relatively independent of differences in the relatively low levels of cyanobacterial biomass in this environment. Instead, trampling appears to reduce infiltration by significantly reducing the cover of gravel and coarse sand on the soil surface, facilitating the development of a physical crust during rainfall events. The results of this study underscore the importance of carefully characterizing both soil physical and biological properties to understand how disturbance affects ecosystem processes.}, keywords = {arid soils, Biological soil crusts, erosion, hydrology, land degradation, recreation}, doi = {10.1016/j.catena.2010.08.007}, url = {/files/bibliography/10-032.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Justin Van Zee and Jayne Belnap and J. Johansen} } @proceedings {JRN54489, title = {Land health and ecological sites: application to land use planning and management}, year = {2010}, month = {10/2010}, pages = {48-57}, publisher = {First International Rangeland Congress Chiapas.}, address = {Chipas, Mexico}, abstract = {

Land health is a powerful tool for land use planning and management of croplands, forests, and rangelands. It is difficult, expensive and often impossible to assess and monitor the status of land relative to its potential to support each of these ecosystem services. However, there are three attributes of the land that reflect its capacity to support all of these services. These attributes include: Soil and Site Stability, Hydrologic Function, and Biotic Integrity. Applying the land health concept to land use planning begins with defining the land\&$\#$39;s potential using a land classification system (Step 1), assessing the land (Step 2), developing the plan (Step 3), developing early warning systems (Step 4), and adapting land use, often at different temporal scales (Step 5). Land use planning and management based on land health and ecological sites can improve the usefulness of land use planning. This approach requires farmers and technical specialists to work together to determine the land\&$\#$39;s potential and its current status relative to potential.

}, url = {files/bibliography/10-054.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Joel R. Brown and Jason W. Karl} } @conference {50035, title = {Monitoring and assessing global impacts of roads and off-road vehicle traffic}, booktitle = {Society for Range Management}, volume = {63rd Society for Range Management}, year = {2010}, address = {Denver, CO}, abstract = {Rapid increases in the number of vehicles, urban sprawl, exurban development and infrastructure development for energy and water have led to dramatic increases in both the size and extent of the global road network. Anecdotal evidence suggests that off-road vehicle traffic has also increased in many areas, particularly in parts of many developing countries where the road network is non-existent or poorly maintained. The impacts of roads, road networks and off-road vehicle traffic on rangelands have received little attention. This is in part due to the complexity of monitoring and assessing their effects on rangeland health and productivity, including hydrology and wildlife populations, across multiple spatial scales. We briefly review current challenges, and present new strategies for applying new and existing tools to monitoring and assessment of road and off-road vehicle impacts at multiple spatial scales. Tools include an adaptation of Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health, LIDAR, laser rangefinders, various types of penetrometers and a checklist for describing hydrologic. We illustrate the application of these tools with examples from a several pilot studies on unpaved road networks in the United States and Mongolia. We conclude by showing how currently available online programs can be used to help design cost-effective monitoring and assessment systems to answer specific questions about road impacts at multiple spatial scales.}, keywords = {interpreting indicators, off-road, rangeland health, vehicles}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Danielle Duni and Jason W. Karl and Justin Van Zee} } @article {50034, title = {National ecosystem assessment supported by scientific and local knowledge}, journal = {Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment}, volume = {8}, year = {2010}, pages = {403-408}, abstract = {

An understanding of the extent and severity of land degradation and recovery is necessary to guide land use policy and management, yet currently available assessments are widely known to be inadequate. We describe results of the first statistically-based application of a new approach to national assessments that integrates scientific and local knowledge. Qualitative observations completed at over 10,000 plots in the United States showed that while soil degradation remains an issue, loss of biotic integrity is more widespread. Quantitative soil and vegetation data collected at the same locations support the assessments and serve as a baseline for monitoring the effectiveness of policy and management, including responses to climate change. For example, non-native species currently occur on nearly 50\% of non-federal rangelands, and account for at least 50\% of plant cover on over 5\% of these lands. These results provide information necessary to support strategic decisions by land managers and policy-makers.

}, doi = {10.1890/100017}, url = {/files/bibliography/10-035.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Lessard, Veronica C. and K. Spaeth and P. L. Shaver and R. Dayton and D.A. Pyke and Jolley, Leonard and Goebel, J. Jeffrey} } @conference {50104, title = {Land use planning and early warning systems for limiting drought impacts and promoting recovery}, booktitle = {ESA meeting}, year = {2009}, publisher = {Ecological Society of America}, organization = {Ecological Society of America}, address = {Albuquerque, NM}, abstract = {Land use planning and drought early warning systems both require an understanding of ecological potential and resilience, and how they vary across space and through time. A large body of literature and local knowledge has documented the importance of considering soil variability for land use planning, including how to plan for and respond to drought. A number of tools are now available and are being developed to assist with this process, including the Global Soil Map.}, keywords = {Global Soil Map, ipm}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @conference {50103, title = {Landscape variability in response to changes in patch-scale connectivity}, booktitle = {Ecological Society of America Abstracts}, year = {2009}, month = {2009}, chapter = {PS 46-49}, abstract = {Extensive redistribution of water, organic matter and nutrients occurs in many arid and semi-arid ecosystems due to high spatial connectivity and the strength of wind and water vectors. The {\textquoteleft}leakiness{\textquoteright} of these systems has been cited as an indicator of degradation. Attempts to limit or modify soil loss and redistribution is a component of many restoration strategies. There are surprisingly few data, however, about the extent to which reducing connectivity at the plot level results in increased resource retention or plant establishment, or how these effects might vary across the landscape. The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which reducing connectivity in plant interspaces can increase resource retention and plant establishment at plant and patch scales in three contrasting sites. Two sites are located on gravelly soils are dominated by alluvial processes. One of these is on a geomorphically stable and the other on a geomorphically unstable surface. The third site is located on a sandy soil and is believed to be dominated by aeolian processes. Four paired treatment and control plots were established in late spring {\textendash} early summer 2008 and evaluated in fall 2008 with digital photographs. The results showed significant reductions in bare ground at all three sites that were associated with increases in litter cover. The reductions were much greater at the aeolian site (26\%) and the alluvial site on an geomorphically unstable surface (22\%) than on at the geomorphically stable, lower productivity site (3\%). These preliminary results illustrate the importance of testing hypotheses about the importance of connectivity across a broad variety of plant communities and geomorphic surfaces.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Debra C. Peters and Gregory S. Okin and John P. Anderson} } @conference {50106, title = {Patch-scale connectivity: Where and why does it matter?}, booktitle = {LTER All Scientists Meeting}, year = {2009}, month = {09/11/2009}, address = {Estes Park, Colorado}, abstract = {Patch-scale connectivity is frequently cited as a significant factor controlling redistribution of water, organic matter and nutrients in many arid and semi-arid ecosystems. The {\textquoteleft}leakiness{\textquoteright} of these systems has been cited as an indicator of degradation. Methods to limit or modify soil loss and redistribution are included in many restoration strategies. There are surprisingly few data, however, about the extent to which reducing connectivity at the patch to plot level results in increased resource retention or plant establishment, or how these effects might vary across the landscape. Our objectives were to (1) determine the extent to which reducing connectivity in plant interspaces can increase resource retention and plant establishment at plant and patch scales in three contrasting sites and (2) identify potential mechanisms and key landscape attributes that may explain among site differences. Two of the sites are on gravelly soils dominated by alluvial processes. One of these is on a geomorphically stable and the other on a geomorphically unstable surface. The third site is located on a sandy soil and is believed to be dominated by aeolian processes. Four paired treatment and control plots were established in late spring {\textendash} early summer 2008 and evaluated in fall 2008 with digital photographs. The results showed significant reductions in bare ground at all three sites that were associated with increases in litter cover. The reductions were much greater at the aeolian site (26\%) and the alluvial site on an geomorphically unstable surface (22\%) than on at the geomorphically stable, lower productivity site (3\%). Unique soil and geomorphic attributes at each of the sites are associated with mechanisms that may explain measured and observed differences. These preliminary results illustrate the importance of testing hypotheses about the importance of connectivity across a broad variety of plant communities and geomorphic surfaces.}, keywords = {connectivity, degradation, Patch-scale}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Debra C. Peters and Gregory S. Okin and John P. Anderson} } @conference {50105, title = {Prioritizing rangeland research and restoration based on societal outcomes}, booktitle = {62nd Society for Range Management Annual Meeting}, year = {2009}, month = {02/2009}, pages = {05-2}, publisher = {Society for Range Management}, organization = {Society for Range Management}, address = {Alb., NM}, abstract = {

Rangeland ecological research is generally driven by interest in a particular pattern, process or organism, by a desire to maximize a particular ecosystem service (such as livestock production) at a specific location, or by an interest in the effects of a particular management system on soils, vegetation or wildlife. Government managers and policymakers responsible for making the most effective use of funding to improve rangeland management are often required to base their decisions on science, but existing science is often inaccessible or irrelevant. It is also often presented in a form that makes it difficult to determine its relevance to management of a particular location. We propose a framework for increasing the relevance of science to policy and management, and the role of scientists in providing feedback to policymakers on how to increase the effectiveness of government programs that are designed to improve rangeland management. The framework consists of two components. The first is an ecological site-based system for prioritizing rangeland research, and for increasing the ability of managers to access and interpret relevant research results. This component includes a proposal for the adoption of a minimum set of required metadata for journal publications. The second component is designed to increase the quality and quantity of monitoring data collected in association with the implementation of conservation programs, and to increase the involvement of scientists in the interpretation of these data. We will conclude with a discussion of the benefits, costs and potential risks associated with adopting this framework.

}, keywords = {abstract, ecosystem, rangeland, SRM}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Thompson, D. and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Joel R. Brown and Kris Havstad} } @conference {50225, title = {Application of soil physical models to predict soil deposition effects on plant establishment}, booktitle = {93rd Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting}, series = {93rd ESA Annual Meetings}, year = {2008}, month = {August 4-8, 2008}, pages = {48-147}, address = {Milwaukee, WI}, abstract = {Soil erosion and deposition often result in significant soil profile modifications, including soil surface texture and structure changes. These properties affect water infiltration and available water holding capacity, both of which affect plant water availability. Because plants are especially sensitive to desiccation during establishment, near-surface changes in these properties can have significant effects on plant community dynamics. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of soil erosion and deposition on plant establishment, and to explore the patterns of shrub encroachment associated with soil deposition. A field study and a series of modeling exercises were completed at the Jornada Experimental Range in association with the Jornada LTER. The Jornada is located in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in south-central New Mexico, and receives approximately 245mm of precipitation, the majority of which arrives during the summer growing season. The field study included repeat air photo analysis, detailed mapping of plant cover, composition and spatial structure, field soil interpretation, and characterization of contemporary soil redistribution based on cesium analyses.}, keywords = {abstract, despsition, soil erosion, water infiltration}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Debra C. Peters and N.K. Hansen and Jerry Ritchie and Curtis H. Monger and Gregory S. Okin} } @conference {50228, title = {Dynamic soil property reference values and soil resilience: Keys to developing innovative, sustainable solutions for American agriculture?}, booktitle = {Geological Society of America}, series = {2008 Joint Meetings}, year = {2008}, month = {10/2008}, pages = {679-5}, address = {Houston, TX}, abstract = {

Farmers, ranchers, conservationists and other land managers can benefit from four types of soil information when developing new management systems and deciding where to apply currently available systems: (1) values for relatively static soil properties and relationships to plant growth, (2) values for relatively dynamic soil properties that have a significant effect on soil functions such as supporting plant growth, (3) reference values for the potential range of variability for these dynamic soil properties for their soil(s), and (4) information on resistance to degradation and the extent and rate of recovery (resilience) that should be expected in response to a change in management or other perturbation to their soil(s). The first type of information is widely available through existing soil surveys. The second can be easily measured. The third would be generated through the implementation of the strategic plan for integrating dynamic soil properties into the National Cooperative Soil Survey. The value of this dataset would continue to increase with the number and diversity of management systems and/or ecological states included. Increased availability of standardized, quantitative data on the current range of variability for their soil would help farmers define realistic targets, while providing baseline values for innovative land managers to attempt to exceed. This has the potential to extend the benefits of competition beyond yield maximization. The fourth type of information (resilience) would help land managers increase their ability to anticipate and avoid degradation, while targeting limited resources to target opportunities to promote recovery. This paper will illustrate the points above using several short- and long-term datasets.

}, keywords = {reference, resilience, soil, value}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Joel R. Brown} } @article {50224, title = {A lunch date with your future: Exploring non-academic jobs through personal interviews}, journal = {Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment}, number = {6}, year = {2008}, note = {review article}, month = {06/2008}, pages = {337-338}, type = {Article response}, abstract = {

This article is a response to an article by Eileen Thorsos in which she describes how non-academic jobs can be explored through personal interviews. The response emphasizes the importance of finding people, rather than job titles, to interview. The same title can mean very different things in different organizations, and even within the same organization. Soil scientists who work for the Natural Resources Conservation Service may be asked to spend much of their time conducting workshops and developing protocols, while US Forest Service, US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and US Geological Survey scientists often have responsibilities that are virtually distinguishable from those of university professors with 100\% research appointments. Although Thorsos\’ structured approach has several potential benefits, more serendipitous conversations can be equally valuable when searching for subjects, keep in mind that the most obvious venues are not necessarily the best. The article concludes by encouraging other students to follow Thorsos\’ lead, while keeping in mind that many of the same limitations that apply to ecological research based on small, non-random samples also apply to career investigations.

}, keywords = {article, interviews, non-academic, review article, Thorso}, url = {/files/bibliography/08-057.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @proceedings {50226, title = {Predicting soil erosion and deposition effects on plant establishment: A key to increasing restoration success}, volume = {1}, year = {2008}, month = {06/2007}, pages = {743}, abstract = {

Soil erosion and deposition can result in significant modification of the soil profile, including changes in soil surface texture and structure. A series of field studies and modeling exercises are currently being completed at the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, located in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in south-central New Mexico, USA to examine the effects of soil erosion and deposition on plant establishment. As predicted, model results showed that sand addition to the soil surface affected establishment differently depending on the amount of sand added and the initial soil texture. Field studies of areas where sand deposition has been occurring during past several decades indicate that plant community dynamics are controlled by a number of different factors in addition to sand deposition, and that feedbacks with the plant community itself are likely to be important. We conclude that careful characterization of site conditions and soil profile characteristics should be completed before restoration. At a minimum, changes in soil water characteristics should be predicted using texture relationships. In some cases, restoration treatments can be designed to improve water holding capacity by promoting soil deposition.

}, keywords = {land degradation, proceedings, restoration, seedling establishment, soil erosion}, url = {/files/bibliography/07-039.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Debra C. Peters and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Gregory S. Okin and N.K. Hansen and Kris Havstad} } @article {50227, title = {Simplifying ecological site verification, rangeland health assessments, and monitoring}, journal = {Rangelands}, volume = {30}, number = {6}, year = {2008}, note = {Trade Journal}, pages = {24-26}, abstract = {

During the past several decades, scientists and land managers in North America have increasingly recognized the importance of rangeland assessment relative to ecological potential based on soil and climate. The adoption of the site potential based {\textquotedblleft}ecological site{\textquotedblright} system was recently formalized in a memorandum of understanding between the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. During the same period, integration of soil and vegetation indicators has led to the development and adoption of new assessment protocols, such as {\textquotedblleft}Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health. {\textquotedblleft}In addition to requiring ecological site identification based on soils, this protocol includes at least two indicators that require soil excavation: {\textquotedblleft}soil surface loss or degradation{\textquotedblright} and {\textquotedblleft}compaction layer.{\textquotedblright} The {\textquotedblleft}pedestals and/or terracettes{\textquotedblright} indicator also sometimes requires excavation to determine whether erosion or deposition has resulted in the apparent elevation of plants relative to the soil surface. All three of these indicators can be difficult to assess in some ecological sites, and we have found that the best way to learn is through observation and comparison of a large number of soil profiles. Many monitoring protocols in the United States and Canada also include soil indicators. Some have even argued that, {\textquotedblleft}If one agrees that a variety of current and potential plant communities can occur above a conservation threshold for a particular ecological site, then monitoring vegetation has to take a backseat to monitoring soils.{\textquotedblright}

}, doi = {10.2111/1551-501X-30.6.24}, url = {/files/bibliography/08-052.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and K. Crossland} } @conference {50223, title = {Soil, resilience, and state and transition models}, booktitle = {Society for Range Management Annual Meetings}, series = {Building Bridges: Grasslands to Rangelands}, year = {2008}, month = {January 26-31, 2}, pages = {1514}, address = {Louisville, KY}, abstract = {State and transition models are based on the assumption that less resilient systems are more susceptible to state changes. The objective of this paper is to show how two different types of soil properties contribute to resilience through their direct and indirect effects on ecosystem processes, and through feedbacks with plants, and how this information can be used to guide the sampling of dynamic soil properties. Relatively static soil and topographic properties including texture, mineralogy, depth, slope and aspect determine, together with climate, the ecological site potential. This potential is realized through the establishment of plant and soil biotic communities, and through the subsequent modification of dynamic properties throughout the soil profile including infiltration and water holding capacity and nutrient availability. We will present results of new analyses of variability in soil properties at multiple spatial scales that illustrate both the interactions between relatively static and dynamic soil properties, and the appropriate scales for sampling. We will conclude with the results of a modeling exercise showing how changes in a relatively static soil property (soil surface texture) generated by a state change in an upwind ecological site can trigger soil-plant feedbacks resulting in changes in both dynamic soil properties and plant community composition, and discuss the application of an understanding of changes in relatively static and dynamic soil properties to assessment and monitoring of the effects of conservation practices (including CEAP).}, keywords = {abstract, resilience, state and transition models}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and S.A. Wills and Debra C. Peters and A.J. Tugel and Brandon T Bestelmeyer} } @conference {50349, title = {Prioritizing ecological research and restoration based on societal outcomes}, booktitle = {Ecological Society of America Abstracts}, year = {2007}, month = {August 5-10, 200}, pages = {SYMP 12-5}, abstract = {Ecological research is commonly driven by interest in a particular pattern, process or organism, or by a desire to maximize a particular ecosystem service at a specific location. Ecologists often use the latter to justify funding for the former. This approach often (though not always) leads to irrelevant responses to unimportant problems, and short-term, narrowly-focused local responses to long-term problems with regional to global causes and consequences. We present a strategy for prioritizing ecological restoration and related research. The strategy begins by comparing anticipated long-term societal requirements for ecosystem services with the ecological potential of the land, and with its current capacity to provide these services with and without restoration. Key processes involved in degradation and recovery are identified, together with the spatial and temporal scales at which these processes must be addressed. Research on key processes is used to develop general and site-specific principles that are then flexibly applied to develop and test management strategies. The process is flexible, iterative and at times chaotic as scientists{\textquoteright} understanding of ecosystem processes and the relative importance of different ecosystem services evolves, particularly where the relationships between ecosystem services and societal outcomes are unclear. We will conclude by describing how this strategy has been flexibly applied by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range and the Jornada LTER to organize research on fundamental ecosystem processes that supports the development of restoration and management tools. We also provide examples from Mexico and Honduras showing how elements of this process can be applied internationally. Throughout this presentation, we describe how government and university researchers can significantly increase their impact on societal outcomes through collaborations that build on the relative strengths of their respective infrastructures (e.g. long-term vs. short-term, and technician vs. graduate student-based research) and with non-profit organizations, private landowners and government agencies.}, keywords = {ecological, prioritizing, restoration, societal}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and J.P. Dobrowolski and M. Ayarza and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Joel R. Brown and E.L. Fredrickson and Kris Havstad and Debra C. Peters} } @article {50347, title = {Sampling for natural resource monitoring: Book review}, journal = {Soil Science Society of America Journal}, volume = {71}, number = {4}, year = {2007}, note = {Book review published online}, month = {06/2007}, pages = {1421}, type = {Literature Review}, abstract = {

Sampling for Natural Resource Monitoring provided a comprehensive introduction to natural resource sampling design for students, scientists, and managers.\  Following a brief introduction. \ The book begins with a section summarizing the principles and major decisions required to develop an effective sampling strategy.\  The remainder of the book is divided among three sections addressing sampling in space (for surveys), and in time and space-time (for monitoring).\  Each of these sections includes chapters on sampling for global and local quantities in space.\  Within each chapter, the author\’s describe both \“design-based\” approaches of classical survey sampling and \“model-based\” approaches associated with geostatistics and time series analysis.\  Inclusion of both types of approaches in a single volume allows the authors to show how they can complement each other.\  For example, spatial models can be used to optimize sample sizes for design-based sampling strategies.\  Detailed appendices provide additional information on optimization algorithms, kriging, and time-series modeling.

}, keywords = {monitoring, natural resource, review article, sampling}, url = {/files/bibliography/07-038.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @conference {50348, title = {Science-based integrated assessment and monitoring of OHV effects on soils and vegetation}, booktitle = {Society for Range Management, 60th Annual Meeting and Trade Show}, year = {2007}, month = {02/09/2007}, pages = {Paper. No. 195}, address = {Reno/Sparks, NV}, abstract = {Off-highway vehicles (OHVs) negatively affect multiple rangeland ecosystem services by modifying soil structure and plant community composition, structure, and productivity. They can introduce invasive species, and increase runoff, soil erosion and plant mortiality. The extent to which long-term degradation occurs depends on the type, timing and intensity of distrubances, and on degradation resistance and recovery potential. As OHV activity increases, limited management must be focused on those areas where OHVs are having the greatest impacts, and where these impacts can be cost-effectively prevented or mitigated. Systematic protocols are required to identify and prioritize OHV impacted areas. We are developing a science-based integrated strategy for identifying, assessing, and monitoring OHV effects on fundamental soil and vegetation attributes on which nearly all ecosystem services depend. This strategy includes four elements. (1) Landscape stratification based on ecological potential. (2) Identification of appropriate assessment and monitoring scales based on the scale of the impacts relative to the scale of soil and vegetation variability. (3) Assessment of current status relative to ecological potential and possible thresholds. (4) Selection of appropriate monitoring indicators based on quantitative relationships between these indicators and critical ecosystem services for different types of soil and vegetation. The forth element shows that OHV tracks dramatically reduce infiltration on some soils and plant species but have virtually no effect on others. For thsoe soils and plant communities where infiltration is affected, recovery rates also vary significantly.}, keywords = {ecosystem, off-highway vehicles, OHV, rangeland, soils, vegetation}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and D.A. Pyke and Danielle Duni} } @article {50346, title = {A strategy for ecology in an era of globalization}, journal = {Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment}, volume = {5}, year = {2007}, month = {05/2007}, pages = {172-181}, abstract = {

Globalization of labor and capital can increase the rate and extent of global environmental degradation, while enhancing the ability of ecologists to respond rapidly and collaboratively to mitigate these impacts. Nevertheless, ecological research remains focused at local and regional levels, with collaboration limited by national borders and funding. New initiatives are required to increase the utility and availability of environmental research to natural resource owners, managers, and policy makers in the public and private sectors, whose decisions affect land and other forms of natural capital. We propose a four-part strategy to increase the effectiveness of ecological science in addressing environmental issues in an era of globalization: (1) develop an Ecological Knowledge System, (2) increase our ability to anticipate, identify, and rapidly address new research needs, (3) increase the number and diversity of participants in all phases of research and decision-making processes, and (4) increase the flexibility of funding sources.

La globalizaci{\'o}n de la fuerza de trabajo y del capital puede aumentar el {\'\i}ndice y el grado de degradaci{\'o}n ambiental global y al mismo tiempo mejorar la capacidad de los ec{\'o}logos para mitigar sus efectos negativos. Sin embargo, la investigaci{\'o}n ecol{\'o}gica sigue enfocada a una escala local fuera del contexto global, y la colaboraci{\'o}n profesional y de investigaci{\'o}n est{\'a} seriamente limitada por fronteras nacionales y por falta de financiamiento. Se requieren nuevas iniciativas para aumentar la utilidad y la disponibilidad de la investigaci{\'o}n ambiental a los due{\~n}os, a los encargados y a los pol{\'\i}ticos a cargo del manejo y conservaci{\'o}n de recursos naturales en los sectores p{\'u}blicos y privados, cuyas decisiones afectan las tierras y otras formas del capital natural de un pa{\'\i}s. Con el fin de aumentar la eficacia de las ciencias ecol{\'o}gicas para tratar con los temas ambientales en una era de globalizaci{\'o}n, proponemos una estrategia compuesta por cuatro partes: (1) El desarrollo de un Sistema de Conocimientos Ecol{\'o}gicos (EKS), (2) El incremento de nuestra capacidad de anticipar, identificar y atender r{\'a}pidamente nuevas necesidades dentro de la investigaci{\'o}n, (3) El aumento del n{\'u}mero y la diversidad de participantes en todas las fases de los procedimientos de la investigaci{\'o}n y la toma de decisiones, y (4) El aumento de la sensibilidad y la flexibilidad de las fuentes de financiamiento hacia este tipo de investigaci{\'o}n ecol{\'o}gica enfocada a resolver problemas multidisciplinarios concretos.

}, keywords = {ecology, era, globalization, strategy}, doi = {10.1890/1540-9295(2007)5[172:ASFEIA]2.0.CO;2}, url = {/files/bibliography/07-021.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and J. Sarukhan} } @conference {50458, title = {An agenda for ecology in an era of globalization}, booktitle = {Ecological Society of America Abstracts}, number = {Paper No. 60558}, year = {2006}, month = {August 8, 2006}, address = {Memphis, TN}, abstract = {The relationship between ecological sustainability and human poverty is evolving rapidly in response to changes associated with the globalization of capital, labor, natural resources and knowledge. The processes associated with globalization lead to changes in the scale, patterns and relationships between poverty and environmental degradation. Due to the increased mobility of labor and capital, environmental degradation and opportunities for restoration increasingly appear in areas with relatively little social, environmental and scientific infrastructure, while most ecological investigations remain focused on a limited number of study sites concentrated in the countries of highly developed western economies. At the same time, the increasing globalization of knowledge provides new opportunities for environmental scientists to address these challenges. We propose an agenda for ecology in an era of globalization that includes three changes in the way ecologists work: (1) an increased willingness and ability to rapidly change the focus and the spatial location and scale of our research, (2) development of more flexible funding sources that allow scientists to develop international, interdisciplinary research projects, (3) increased involvement of local knowledge experts and social scientists in all aspects of research design, implementation, interpretation and communication to managers and policymakers.}, keywords = {abstract, abstracts, degradation, ecology, globalization, sustainability}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Sarukhan, K.} } @article {50460, title = {Arid and Semiarid Rangeland Monitoring in North America}, journal = {Secheresse}, volume = {17}, number = {1-2}, year = {2006}, month = {September 2006}, pages = {235-241}, abstract = {Canada, the United States and Mexico all have a long history of rangeland monitoring. However none have developed a nationwide database or even standardized set of protocols. The lack of standardization, inadequately developed relationships between management objectives and monitoring protocols, and an emphasis on data collection rather than analysis and interpretation have limited the value of past monitoring efforts. The future of monitoring is bright in all three countries. New policies reward ranchers who can document positive changes on their land. Non-equilibrium theory developed in Europe, Africa, Australia and North America increase the value of monitoring data. New protocols increasingly focus monitoring on ecological processes.}, keywords = {arid, arid zone, data base, monitoring, rangeland, rangelands, semi-arid}, url = {/files/bibliography/06-033.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Moya, E.G. and Walter Willms and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Sundt, P. and Barnes, W.} } @article {50457, title = {An integrated framework for science-based arid land management}, journal = {Journal of Arid Environments}, volume = {65}, number = {2}, year = {2006}, month = {2006}, pages = {319-335}, abstract = {

Our objective is to develop a science-based management framework for arid and semiarid ecosystems. This framework must facilitate the integration of new knowledge about linkages among landscape units across scales. Science is frequently touted as the solution to dryland management problems, yet most management decisions are, of necessity, based primarily on expert knowledge and experience. This paper describes an integrated framework for organizing, synthesizing, and applying our growing understanding of dryland ecosystems using a flexible, multi-objective assessment, monitoring, and management approach. The framework is dual-purpose: (1) to coordinate the use of existing tools, resources, and diffuse knowledge, and (2) to facilitate the integration and application of new knowledge as it is developed. The framework includes five elements: (1) an ecological, site-based approach for categorizing land based on soils and climate; (2) a repository for organizing existing data and knowledge about each ecological site; (3) conceptual models that organize information on the impacts of management and climate variability; and, protocols for (4) assessing and (5) monitoring key ecosystem attributes fundamental to a variety of management objectives. Within this framework, basic and applied research are explicitly linked to management of arid and semiarid ecosystems to more effectively articulate research questions and set research priorities.

}, keywords = {arid, ecosystems, land mangement, science-based, semiarid}, doi = {10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.09.003}, url = {/files/bibliography/06-003.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Steven R. Archer and A.J. Tugel and Joel R. Brown} } @article {50456, title = {Monitoring ecological processes for restoration projects}, journal = {Journal of Nature Conservation}, volume = {14}, number = {3-4}, year = {2006}, month = {September 2006}, pages = {161-171}, abstract = {Restoration of ecological processes is key to restoring the capacity of ecosystems to support social, economic, cultural and aesthetic values. The sustainability of the restored system also depends on processes associated with carbon, nutrient and hydrologic cycles, yet most restoration monitoring is limited to plant community composition. Our research has shown that short-term plant composition monitoring is a necessary but insufficient predictor of long-term restoration success. Long-term (up to 75 years) studies in the western United States show that short-term monitoring of plant community composition alone incorrectly predicted the failure of treatments that were ultimately successful, and the success of treatments that ultimately failed. We propose that vegetation composition monitoring be combined with one or more ecological process indicators reflecting changes in three fundamental ecosystem attributes on which restoration success depends: soil and site stability, hydrologic function and biotic integrity. These simple, rapid, plot-level indicators reflect changes in resource redistribution and vegetation structure. We include a case study involving restoration of mixed grass prairie on mineland in the west-central United States.}, keywords = {ecosystem services, erosion, indicators, landscape, monitoring, restoration, runoff, spatial pattern, spatial variability}, url = {/files/bibliography/06-032.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and G.E. Schuman and A. Rango} } @proceedings {50455, title = {New tools for rangeland and pasture monitoring}, year = {2006}, month = {December 10-13, }, pages = {309-314}, address = {St. Louis, MO}, abstract = {This paper describes a set of tools that help land managers easily collect, analyze, interpret and store data that are most relevant to their management objectives. The toolbox includes vegetation and soil methods that are nationally applied by one or more federal agencies, together with additional methods that are appropriate for rangeland, pastureland and can be applied to annual cropping systems. The methods can be applied to small and large farms and ranches, and to large watersheds and are relevant to both production and conservation objectives. The tools include a two-volume manual, a set of Excel spreadsheets that automatically calculate indicators for a single plot, and a computer database/field data entry program that automatically generates and compares indicators for multiple plots. A 40-page "Quick Start" volume provides step-by-step instructions for completing four basic monitoring methods along with rapid semi-quantitative alternative methods. Volume II includes additional methods, a monitoring system design guide, and information to help interpret results and apply them to different management objectives. The Excel Spreadsheets are identical to the paper dataforms printed in the manuals. The Access database/field data entry system includes all of the data entry forms from the manual, together with data forms for other commonly used methods. When applied at the farm or ranch level, no database experience is required. The user simply enters the data as they would on paper, and indicators are automatically generated for each plot. Data can be entered directly in the field using a "Tablet" computer, or on a standard personal computer. Both the monitoring manual and the database/field data entry system were designed as "toolboxes". Different sets of tools are selected for different jobs. The paper describes how to apply the methods to livestock production, wildlife habitat management, control of invasive species and other objectives. It ends with a brief overview of new monitoring tools the Jornada is developing, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV{\textquoteright}s) that can be programmed (GPS) to collect high resolution photographs across large areas.}, keywords = {data, managers, monitoring, tools}, url = {/files/bibliography/07-037.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Ericha Courtright and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Laura M. Burkett and Kris Havstad and Andrea S. Laliberte and A. Rango and Repp, J. and Justin Van Zee} } @inbook {50459, title = {Remediation Research in the Jornada Basin: Past and Future}, booktitle = {Structure and Function of a Chihuahuan Desert Ecosystem: The Jornada Basin Long-Term Ecological Research Site}, year = {2006}, month = {July 1, 2006}, pages = {278-304}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, organization = {Oxford University Press}, chapter = {14 }, address = {New York, NY}, abstract = {Land degradation in most of the Chihuahuan Desert is characterized by a shift from grass- to shrub-dominated plant communities. Consequently, most remediation efforts are focused on grassland restoration. Early experiments and trials focused on grazing management. Beginning in the 1930{\textquoteright}s and continuing through the 1980{\textquoteright}s, various methods of shrub control were evaluated. Early investigators had an intuitive and practical understanding of the system in which they worked. They saw the individual limitations to grassland recovery and attempted to address them. In order to be more successful than they were, we must begin to work at spatial and temporal scales relevant to the processes we hope to affect and target our interventions to those locations and during those periods when the processes are most susceptible to change. We must also, as the earlier workers did, simultaneously target multiple processes with the objective of increasing the resistance and resilience of the modified ecosystems.}, keywords = {Chihuahuan Desert, Jornada Basin, LTER, synthesis book}, url = {/files/bibliography/06-065.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Kris Havstad and A. Rango}, editor = {Kris Havstad and L. Huenneke and W. H. Schlesinger} } @conference {50461, title = {A soil-based framework for integrating and applying knowledge of land degradation proceses to assessment, monitoring and management}, booktitle = {World Congress of Soil Science}, number = {Paper No. 53-5}, year = {2006}, month = {July 11, 2006}, address = {Philadelphia, PA}, abstract = {We describe a soil-based framework for organizing, synthesizing, and applying our growing understanding of land degradation processes to assessment, monitoring, and management. The framework is dual-purpose: (1) coordinate the use of existing tools, resources, and knowledge, and (2) facilitate the integration and application of new knowledge as it is developed. The framework includes five elements: (1) an ecological site-based approach to grouping soils based on functional characteristics, (2) a repository for ecological site-specific data and knowledge, (3) conceptual models that organize information on management and restoration options, and protocols for (4) assessing and (5) monitoring key ecosystem attributes. The first two elements already exist for U.S. soils dominated by grassland, shrubland and savanna ecosystems. This paper focuses on the use of conceptual state-and-transition models (element 3) to identify indicators of key properties and processes associated with land degradation and recovery (elements 4 and 5), and to define and communicate appropriate land management and restoration strategies. Development and application of these models provides an opportunity for soil scientists and ecologists to integrate and communicate our knowledge of soil and land degradation processes throughout the world. We will present examples showing how these models are currently being applied to the development of assessment and monitoring programs, and to the prioritization of research.}, keywords = {assessment, land degradation, monitoring}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Joel R. Brown and A.J. Tugel} } @booklet {50562, title = {Comments on {\textquotedblleft}Simultaneous Measurement of Soil Penetration Resistance and Water Content with a Combined Penetrometer{\textendash}TDR Moisture Probe{\textquotedblright} and {\textquotedblleft}A Dynamic Cone Penetrometer for Measuring Soil Penetration Resistance{\textquotedblright}}, howpublished = {Soil Science Society of American Journal}, volume = {69}, year = {2005}, note = {Response to PDF 05-015 (ARIS $\#$ 167841) Comments and Letters to the Editor}, month = {May 6, 2005}, pages = {925-927}, type = {Comments and Letters to the Editor}, abstract = {Concurrence that by accounting for momentum, the Eq. [8] may more accurately reflect the energy transmitted from the sliding hammer to the penetrometer described in Herrick and Jones (2002).\  We also agree that their new estimate of the resistance (Eq.[9]) remains \"an experiemental measurement wich does not give a unique soil property; rather it is a complex measure which depend on both the penetrometer and the soil condition (Minasny and McBratnew, 2005).\  http://soil.scijournals.org/cgi/reprint/69/3/925?maxtoshow=\&HITS=10\&hits=10\&RESULTFORMAT=\&andorexacttitle=and\&andorexacttitleabs=and\&andorexactfulltext=and\&searchid=1\&FIRSTINDEX=0\&sortspec=relevance\&volume=69\&firstpage=925\&resourcetype=HWCIT}, keywords = {moisture probe, penetration, penetrometer}, url = {/files/bibliography/05-016.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @conference {50560, title = {Conceptual model of desertification}, booktitle = {51st Annual Meeting of the Central American Cooperative Program for Crop and Livestock Improvement (PCCMCA)}, year = {2005}, month = {2005}, abstract = {Las causes de la degradaci{\'o}n del suelo son tan diversas y complejas como sus efectos. Los proyectos de desarrollo que dirigirse solamente a las causas y los efectos biof{\'\i}sicos frecuentemente fallan porque no se ha considerado las condiciones socioecon{\'o}micas. Tambi{\'e}n, las intervenciones socioecon{\'o}micos son limitadas por los las condiciones y los procesos biof{\'\i}sicos. Adem{\'a}s, la escala de las intervenciones biof{\'\i}sicas y socioecon{\'o}micas muchas veces no coincide con la escala de las causas de degradaci{\'o}n. La probabilidad de un fracaso sube cuando cient{\'\i}ficos fuera de una regi{\'o}n (como norteamericanos trabajando en Am{\'e}rica Latina) intenta contribuir al combate de la degradaci{\'o}n sin entender ni el contexto biof{\'\i}sico ni socioecon{\'o}mico. Para empezar enfrentar ese problema, un grupo internacional desarrollo un marco conceptual de desertificaci{\'o}n, el paradigma de la desertificaci{\'o}n de Dahlem. Este paradigma se basa en considerar de manera simult{\'a}nea las dimensiones meteorol{\'o}gicas, ecol{\'o}gicas y humanas (los factores biof{\'\i}sicos y socioecon{\'o}micos) de la desertificaci{\'o}n (DDP) a varias escalas. El DDP se basa en una serie de fuentes e incluye aspectos de los procesos no lineares, la resiliencia, la vulnerabilidad, la ecolog{\'\i}a de los agroecosistemas, las percepciones humanas, la teor{\'\i}a jer{\'a}rquica y el an{\'a}lisis econ{\'o}mico. Como ocurre con la mayor{\'\i}a de los paradigmas, las ideas que constituyen el DDP no son nuevas. La manera de combinarlas supone una nueva visi{\'o}n de un {\textquotedblleft}viejo{\textquotedblright} problema que permite a su vez profundizar en su conocimiento y perfilar las acciones que ser{\'a}n necesarias llevar a cabo en el futuro para ello. El DDP se compone de 9 afirmaciones principales. La presentaci{\'o}n incluyera un an{\'a}lisis preliminaria de la relevancia de cada uno de esas afirmaciones a los problemas de degradaci{\'o}n del suelo en Centro Am{\'e}rica a varias escalas.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @conference {50557, title = {Ecological sustainability in the Chihuahuan Desert: Is rangeland health relevant?}, booktitle = {Society for Range Management, 58th Annual Meeting and Trade Show}, year = {2005}, month = {February 5, 2005}, pages = {Paper No. 169}, address = {Fort Worth, TX}, abstract = {Rangeland health is increasingly promoted as a universal rangeland management objective. A protocol for interpreting indicators of rangeland health developed by a US interagency team has been extensively applied throughout the US and northern Mexico. A new version based on input from both the US and Mexico will be available in both Spanish and English in 2005. The protocol has been used to increase understanding of ecological properties and processes, and to assess the current status of those processes relative to their potential. While debates about the appropriate application of the protocol continue, it has been accepted and applied by many scientists and land managers in the US and Mexico. There has, however, been little critical evaluation of the relevance of either the specific protocol or the general concept of rangeland health to sustainability. The objectives of this paper are to provide an overview of the application of rangeland health on both sides of the border, and to critically evaluate not only its relevance to ecological sustainability, but also to socioeconomic sustainability, in order to better focus evaluations on those regions where management decisions are likely to be influenced by an increased understanding of rangeland health. We conclude that even a relatively rudimentary socioeconomic analysis may increase the cost-effectiveness of rangeland health evaluations.}, keywords = {Chihuahuan Desert, ecological properties and processes, ecological sustainability, rangeland health}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Foladori, G. and Melgoza, A.} } @proceedings {50558, title = {Evaluation of the status of rangeland health: towards the future}, year = {2005}, month = {April 20-21, 200}, pages = {79}, address = {Zacatecas, Mexico}, abstract = {

In recent years, the health status assessment of grasslands has been greatly improved with the integration of ecological concepts. The "Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health" guide, version 3, was developed to provide a rapid assessment of grassland health. This guide uses 17 indicators that evaluate three attributes of grassland health: soil and site stability, hydrological functionality, and biotic integrity. Now it{\textquoteright}s being applied to various goals, including helping producers focus their management on areas that have a high risk of degradation, or a high probability for renewal. With the publication of version 4.0 in 2005, evaluations have been standardized with a "reference sheet" for each "ecological site" (a soil group that has a similar potency for the production of plant communities). This reference sheet provides a description of the normal variability ranges in the potential condition for each of the 17 indicators. Some quantitative indicators have also been integrated. In the future, it is hoped to make the process even more quantitative, and improve the application of the process at the landscape level. Specifically, it is expected to interpret the effects of the areas surrounding the evaluation area (e.g. runoff). The ultimate goal is to make it as easy, repeatable as possible and, at once, make the results more relevant to producers and other landowners.

En los {\'u}ltimos a{\~n}os se ha mejorado mucho la evaluaci{\'o}n del estado de salud de los pastizales con la integraci{\'o}n de conceptos ecol{\'o}gicos. La gu{\'\i}a {\textquotedblleft}Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health{\textquotedblright}, versi{\'o}n 3, fue desarrollada con el objetivo de proveer una evaluaci{\'o}n r{\'a}pida de la salud de los pastizales. Esta gu{\'\i}a utiliza 17 indicadores que eval{\'u}an tres atributos de la salud de los pastizales: estabilidad del suelo y sitio, funcionalidad hidrol{\'o}gica e integridad bi{\'o}tica. Ahora se lo esta aplicando a varios objetivos, incluyendo ayudar a los productores enfocar su manejo en {\'a}reas que tiene un alto riesgo de degradaci{\'o}n, o una alta probabilidad para renovaci{\'o}n. Con la publicaci{\'o}n de versi{\'o}n 4.0 en 2005, se ha estandardizada las evaluaciones con una {\textquotedblleft}hoja de referencia{\textquotedblright} para cada {\textquotedblleft}sitio ecol{\'o}gico{\textquotedblright} (grupo de suelos que tiene una potencia parecido para la producci{\'o}n de comunidades de plantas). Esta hoja de referencia provee una descripci{\'o}n de los rangos normales de variabilidad en la condici{\'o}n potencial para cada uno de los 17 indicadores. Tambi{\'e}n, se ha integrado algunos indicadores cuantitativos. En el futuro, se espera hacer el proceso todav{\'\i}a m{\'a}s cuantitativo, y mejorar la aplicaci{\'o}n del proceso al nivel del paisaje. Espec{\'\i}ficamente, se espera interpretar los efectos de las {\'a}reas que rodean el {\'a}rea de evaluaci{\'o}n (por ejemplo escurrimiento). El objetivo final es hacerlo tan f{\'a}cil, repetible como posible y, de una vez, hacer los resultados mas relevante para los productores y otros due{\~n}os de tierras.

}, keywords = {evaluation, future, rangeland health, status}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and D.A. Pyke and P. L. Shaver and M. Pellant and Melgoza, A.} } @book {50559, title = {Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland and Savanna Ecosystems}, volume = {II}, year = {2005}, month = {2005}, pages = {200}, publisher = {University of Arizona Press - Distributor}, organization = {University of Arizona Press - Distributor}, address = {Tucson, AZ}, abstract = {This two-volume document is intended to assist a wide range of users, including technicians (data collectors), field crew leaders, ranchers and landowners, land managers, rangeland professionals, and researchers. Volume II provides more detailed guidance on monitoring program design, data analysis and interpretation. It also includes a number of supplementary methods.Monitoring is part of a broader process in which we use data to test and refine management decisions. Monitoring data allow the collective knowledge of scientists and land managers to be applied to improve resource management. Monitoring is designed to support a diverse set of goals required by various societal interests. The monitoring procedures described in this manual provide data on three key attributes of landscape and ecosystem sustainability: soil and site stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity. These data provide the foundation for assessing and evaluating the degree to which societal goals and/or values are being met by current landscape management. They also provide the basis for management options that meet specific goals. http://usda-ars.nmsu.edu/monit_assess/PDF_files/Volume_II.pdf.}, keywords = {ecosystem, grassland, management, monitoring, monitoring manual, savanna, shrubland}, url = {/files/bibliography/05-008.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Justin Van Zee and Kris Havstad and Laura M. Burkett and Walter G. Whitford} } @book {50561, title = {Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland and Savanna Ecosystems, Volume I: Quick Start}, year = {2005}, month = {January 1, 2005}, pages = {36}, publisher = {The University of Arizona Press}, organization = {The University of Arizona Press}, address = {Tucson, Arizona}, abstract = {

This manual describes how to monitor three rangeland attributes: soil and site stability, watershed function and biotic integrity. Nearly everything we value about rangelands depends on these attributes. Monitoring these three attributes is like monitoring the foundation of our rangeland ecosystems. The measurements used to monitor these attributes also can be used to generate indicators relevant to specific management objectives, such as maintaining wildlife habitat, biodiversity conservation or producing forage. Quick Start (Vol.I) includes basic methods and instructions for establishing photo points and completing four basic mesurements.

}, keywords = {grassland, monitoring manual, savanna, shrubland}, url = {/files/bibliography/05-003.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Justin Van Zee and Kris Havstad and Laura M. Burkett and Walter G. Whitford} } @conference {50667, title = {Experimental definition of resilience for state-and-transition models}, booktitle = {57th Annual Meeting, Society for Range Management}, year = {2004}, month = {January 24-30, 2}, pages = {142}, address = {Salt Lake City, UT}, abstract = {Limited management resources must increasingly be targeted to those parts of the landscape that have the greatest degradation risk and recovery potential. State and transition models have the potential tohelp identify these areas. Effective application of these models requires an understanding of the ecological properties and processes that determine resistance to change and resilience (capacity for recovery). Few data are currently available. In 1997 we established a long-term landscape-scale experiment designed to (1) identify resilience indicators based on relative recovery rates for different soil and vegetation indicators, and (2) determine the extent to which these relationships can be generalized across soils. Three types of disturbance (ORV tracks and trampling by humans and horses) were applied to five soils in southern New Mexico. Response variables included vegetation and lichen cover and composition, soil aggregate stability, soil surface roughness, infiltration capacity and penetrometer resistance. Both resistance and resilience varied with both disturbance and soil type. Vegetation indicators generally showed lower resistance (greater change) and higher resilience (more rapid recovery) during the first 6 years of the study than the soil indicators for most disturbance and soil types. These results suggest that soil indicators may reveal long-term disturbance effects that are not reflected in short-term vegetation responses. Both the long-term, cumulative effects of soil property changes on subsequent resistance and resilience and the role of contiguous site effects need to be considered in the development state and transition models.}, keywords = {degradation, models, resilience, state-and-transition}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Jayne Belnap and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and S.B. Bird and Joel R. Brown and Kris Havstad and A.J. Tugel and Justin Van Zee} } @conference {50666, title = {Field application of the portable soil penetrometer and the soil erosion bridge}, booktitle = {57th Annual Meeting, Society for Range Management}, year = {2004}, month = {January 25, 2004}, pages = {141}, address = {Salt Lake City, UT}, abstract = {Two portable soil monitoring tools were developed to increase efficiency and repeatability of soildensity and soil erosion measurements. The soil penetrometer is well-suited for measuring soil densityin the highly compacted range soils of the Western United States. Soil density is measured by thenumber of strokes needed to push the penetrometer a certain distance in the soil. Constant weight andfalling height insure the repeatability of the method. The soil erosion bridge measures the depth of soileroded in a certain time period by comparing the position of medal rods on two digital images. Thedigital images are taken with a camera mounted onto the soil erosion bridge to ensure an exact position.Each of these commercially available devices has been refined to be carried and used by one person.This paper details the field application, data collection, and suggested protocol of the penetrometer andthe soil erosion bridge.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and J. Alexander and Kluck, J.} } @conference {50669, title = {An integrated framework for multi-objective inventory, assessment, and monitoring}, booktitle = {Sixth Symposium on the Natural Resources of the Chihuahuan Desert Region}, year = {2004}, month = {October 15, 2004}, pages = {28}, address = {Alpine, TX}, abstract = {Science-based land management requires quantification of ecosystem properties (inventory), the status of these properties relative to their potential (assessment), and changes in these properties over time (monitoring). Unique datasets are typically generated to address different management objectives, including livestock production, watershed conservation, wildlife habitat protection, military training, and other land uses and values. We describe an integrated framework for inventory, assessment, and monitoring. This framework is based on three components: (1) Ecological site descriptions (which are based on soil surveys) and the National Resource Inventory provide standardized, nationwide inventory data. These data, related information, and expert knowledge are used to generate a standardized, ecological site-specific reference for a qualitative assessment protocol, which is used to rapidly assess current status. (2) Selected measurements from a flexible, quantitative monitoring protocol are used to generate indicators that supplement the qualitative assessments. (3) These indicators are subsequently used to monitor changes in ecosystem function. More specific management objectives are addressed using additional indicators calculated from the basic measurements. Additional measurements included in the monitoring "toolbox" can also be included. In many cases, however, multiple management objectives can be addressed by monitoring a very few key properties, such as the amount and spatial distribution of bare ground and the cover of a few key species. This framework is designed to facilitate the integration of multi- and cross-scale approaches, including remote sensing, as they are developed.}, keywords = {assessment, ecosystem properties, integrated framework, inventory, land management, monitoring, multi-objective}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Alexander, R. and Bash, D. and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Biggam, P. and Joel R. Brown and Kris Havstad and Andrea S. Laliberte and David P. Toledo and A.J. Tugel} } @conference {50668, title = {Soil carbon response to rangeland vegetation change: Implications for management and monitoring}, booktitle = {Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting}, year = {2004}, address = {Seattle, WA}, abstract = {We measured soil carbon to a depth of 50 cm across a range of Chihuahuan Desert soils and plant communities in order to, (1) determine the effects of rangeland vegetation change, and (2) develop cost-effective sampling requirements for quantifying net changes in soil carbon sequestration. We measured soil carbon at 18 points in each of three one-ha plots in a relatively undegraded black grama grassland community and in a mesquite shrubland that was a black grama grassland approximately 100 y BP. Carbon and bulk density determinations were completed at 0-1, 1-5, 5-18 and 18-50 cm depths using the core method. Soil carbon in the mesquite duneland plots was generally higher than in the black grama grassland. However, the potential benefits of short-term carbon sequestration must be balanced against the long-term costs of increased soil erosion and the lower value of the mesquite shrublands for forage production and other land uses. Soil carbon variability was greater within plots than among plots. Much of this variability was attributed to plant-interspace differences, suggesting that a stratified sampling protocol may reduce sampling costs.}, keywords = {cost-effective, rangeland vegetation change, sampling protocol, sampling requirements, soil carbon response}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Curtis H. Monger and Kramer, R. and A.J. Tugel and M.D. Remmenga and Joel R. Brown} } @proceedings {50665, title = {Soil survey enhancements for natural resource management: Case studies from the southwestern U.S.}, year = {2004}, note = {CDROM: USDA-NRCS}, month = {June 13-18, 2004}, pages = {CDROM}, address = {Jackson, WY}, abstract = {This paper illustrates how both new types of data and the reinterpretation of existing data can be used to improve the quality and value of soil survey interpretations for natural resource management. New data on soil resistance and resilience to different types of disturbance can be used to select dynamic soil properties for inclusion in future soil surveys. Other factors, including data cost and quality, must be considered in the selection of dynamic soil properties. In the short term, we discuss an example of how GIS analysis tools can be used together with spatial slope and elevation information to produce more detailed thematic maps from existing Order 3 soil surveys. We conclude that (1) future soil survey enhancements depend on the development of soil and ecological, site-specific information on dynamic soil properties, (2) soil interpretations based on integration of GIS and process-based conceptual models increase the value of existing soil survey data, and (3) application of these conclusions will be facilitated by displaying soil as a continuum across the landscape.}, keywords = {dynamic soil properties, GIS integration, natural resource management, soil survey, Southwest}, url = {/files/bibliography/04-050ABS.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Merkler, D. and Biggam, P. and A.J. Tugel} } @proceedings {50782, title = {Application of ecological assessment and monitoring to (adaptive) sustainable land management}, year = {2003}, month = {September 8-12, }, pages = {21-30}, address = {Venecia, Durango, Mexico}, abstract = {Assessment and monitoring are necessary to continuously adapt management to ensure it is meeting land management objectives. Ecologically based assessment and monitoring are required for sustainable land management because long-term sustainability depends on maintaining particular ecological processes. This paper reviews several relatively new concepts, including ecological resistance and resilience and ecological, management and economic thresholds. These concepts are required to use assessment and monitoring to increase sustainability. The paper concludes with a description of a system for combining short- and long-term monitoring as part of a cost-effective adaptive management program.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Brandon T Bestelmeyer} } @proceedings {50784, title = {A cost-effective soil and vegetation monitoring protocol for adaptive management}, year = {2003}, month = {July 26-August 1}, pages = {704-706}, address = {Durban, South Africa}, abstract = {Rangeland monitoring is frequently limited by high costs and low relevance to management. Furthermore, most protocols continue to focus on the average status of a single ecosystem property, such as forage production, while our evolving understanding of nonequilibrium dynamics and local threshold responses require information on how complex ecosystem processes vary across the landscape over time (National Research Council 1994; Society for Range Management 1995). We describe a simple, quantitative monitoring protocol designed to be used in conjunction with state and transition models to increase management effectiveness at multiple spatial and temporal scales (Herrick et al. 2003). The protocol integrates ground-based soil and vegetation measurements with simple remote sensing technologies (e.g., aerial photographs). This approach allows relatively large areas to be monitored while focusing most of the effort on those areas with the highest probability of change. The protocol also clearly distinguishes between long-term and short-term indicators. Long-term indicators are used to monitor relatively persistent management effects, while short-term indicators are used to adjust management on a daily to seasonal basis.}, keywords = {adaptive management, cost-effective, monitoring protocol, soil, vegetation}, url = {/files/bibliography/03-030.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and A. Rango and Kris Havstad} } @proceedings {50780, title = {Evaluation of the health status of rangeland ecosystems}, volume = {23}, year = {2003}, month = {December 1, 2003}, pages = {22-30}, address = {Aguascalientes, Mexico}, abstract = {Rangeland health refers to the maintenance of complex ecological processes during a particular period of time. A manual, {\textquoteright}Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health,{\textquoteright} was developed with the objective of providing a system for rapidly evaluating rangeland health. This method uses 17 indicators to evaluate three attributes: soil and site stability, hydrologic function and biotic integrity. In Version 3.0, Ecological Site Descriptions and reference sites served as the reference for the evaluation. In Version 4.0, these two options were replaced with a single Ecological Reference Sheet that provides a semi-quantitative description of the normal range of variability for each indicator for areas with similar soils and climate with the potential to support similar types and amounts of vegetation. The ecological reference sheet is completed by a group of experts with a knowledge of the variability in soils, hydrology and biology expected. Once the normal range of variability has been established, the experts must also define the four categories of deviation from the expected for each indicator. In this way, countries that do not have Ecological Sites or Ecological Site Descriptions can use this manual to develop their own reference sheets.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Melgoza, A.M. and D.A. Pyke and P. L. Shaver and M. Pellant} } @proceedings {50781, title = {Future directions: Using ESD{\textquoteright}s for assessment, monitoring and decision making}, year = {2003}, month = {June 16-20, 2003}, pages = {39-40}, address = {Plymouth, MA}, abstract = {Seven conclusions relevant to assessing and monitoring soil change can be drawn from developing these two protocols: (1) Emphasize properties important for ecosystem function and sensitive to a wide variety of uses, rather than those most sensitive to a particular land use. Individual land uses may no longer exist 100 or even 20 years from now and new ones will be developed. (2) Emphasize qualitative indicators for assessment and qualitative indicators for monitoring. (3) Include both current status and early warning indicators that reflect a change in the capacity of the system to resist (resistance) and recover from (resilience) degradation. (4) Use the cover, composition, condition and spatial distribution of vegetation to generate more cost-effective indicators that are potentially correlated with remote sensing indicators. (5) Generate reference data for a group of soils (ecological site) with a similar potential to conserve soil, capture and release water, and support plant communities that are resistant and resilient to degradation. (6) Use the threshold concept to help focus limited resources on those areas with the highest probability of relatively irreversible change. (7) Apply the following criteria to measurement and indicator selection: (a) clearly related to the properties and processes they are intended to reflect, (b) easy to measure repeatedly, ideally in the field, (c) minimal time is needed to complete the number of measurements required to detect a functionally significant difference at a specified level of statistical precision. Research and applied trials are clearly needed to address all three criteria. Additionally, because ecological site potential is defined as a function of climate and (relatively) static soil properties, we need to develop a better understanding of (1) the effects of spatial variability in relatively static soil properties on relatively dynamic soil properties, and (2) the effects of interactions between different soil properties (static/dynamic) and climate on ecological processes. This requires reference data for both relatively static and dynamic soil properties.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and A.J. Tugel} } @conference {50779, title = {A new standard for qualitative rangeland health assessments}, booktitle = {88th Annual Meeting, Ecological Society of America}, year = {2003}, month = {August 3-8, 2003}, pages = {148}, address = {Savannah, GA}, abstract = {The term rangeland health is increasingly used by land managers to refer to the maintenance of complex ecological processes on rangelands. In an attempt to provide a rapid, moment-in-time assessment of rangeland health, we developed the Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health protocol. This protocol uses 17 observable indicators to assess 3 attributes of rangeland health: soil and site stability, hydrologic functioning and biotic integrity. It is now being widely applied throughout the United States and Mexico. In the initial published version (3.0), the standard for assessing an evaluation area was the NRCS Ecological Site Description, a description of physical and biotic characteristics of land with similar soils and climate and that respond similarly to management. Multiple reference areas provided visual representations of the ecological site and were used to supplement Ecological Site Descriptions or as the standard when Ecological Site Descriptions were not available. This approach failed to integrate all of the diverse sources of information about rangeland ecological processes. In response, we developed an ecological reference sheet for version 4.0. A reference sheet is developed for each ecological site based on the integration of ecological site descriptions, expert knowledge, scientific literature and reference sites. Each sheet should be developed by a group of experts familiar with the range of variation in the soil, hydrologic and vegetation indicators. When possible, data similar to those found in ecological site descriptions should be used to generate a quantitative range of expected variation. We believe this change will increase the quality and consistency of evaluations completed with this protocol.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and D.A. Pyke and M. Pellant and P. L. Shaver} } @conference {50783, title = {Validation of an LCTA-compatible approach to military land monitoring}, booktitle = {12th Annual ITAM Workshop}, year = {2003}, month = {August 18, 2003}, pages = {72}, address = {El Paso, TX}, abstract = {A recently developed integrated soil and vegetation rangeland monitoring protocol for arid and semiarid grasslands, shrublands and savanna ecosystems has been adapted to generate LCTA-compatible data while generating additional soil and vegetation indicators that are more sensitive to changes in ecosystem function. The sampling design is also more compatible with remote sensing data. In this presentation, we present the results of three experiments: (1) a comparison between standard LCTA methods and the new protocol in several plant communities in southern New Mexico, (2) a series of studies in which the new indicators are calibrated with more intensive measurements, and (3) an experiment designed to determine the number of measurements required to detect differences with specified alpha and beta at both plot and landscape scales in different plant communities. The results indicate that a much broader suite of functions can be monitored with a relatively small increase in time cost over traditional LCTA measurements while maintaining compatibility with existing datasets.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and M. Hildegard Reiser and Laura M. Burkett and Kris Havstad} } @article {50882, title = {Application of soil quality to monitoring and management: Paradigms from rangeland ecology}, journal = {Agronomy Journal}, volume = {94}, number = {1}, year = {2002}, month = {January 1, 2002}, pages = {3-11}, abstract = {

Recent interest in soil quality and rangeland health, and the large areas set aside under the USDA Conservation Reserve Program, have contributed to a gradual convergence of assessment, monitoring and management approaches in croplands and rangelands. The objective of this paper is to describe a basis for integrating soils and soil quality into rangeland monitoring, and dthrough monitoring, into management. Previous attempts to integrate soil indicators into rangeland monitoring programs have often failed due to a lack of understanding of how to apply those indicators to ecosystem function and management. We discuss four guidelines which we have used to select and interpret soil and soil quality indicators in rangelands, and illustrate them using a recently developed rangeland monitoring system. The guidelines include 1) identifying a suite of indicators that are consistently correlated with the functional status of one or more critical ecosystem processes including those related to soil stability, soil water infiltration, and the capacity of the ecosystem to recover following disturbance, 2) basing indicator selection on inherent soil and site characteristics and on site- or project-specific resource concerns, such as erosion or species invasion, 3) using spatial variability in developing and interpreting indicators to make them more representative of ecological processes, and 4) interpreting indicators in the context of an understanding of dynamic, non-linear ecological processes which are defined by thresholds. The approach defined by these guidelines may serve as a paradigm for applying the soil quality concept in other ecosystems, including forests and ecosystems managed for annual and perennial crop production.

}, keywords = {monitoring programs, rangeland ecology, rangeland health, soil indicators, soil quality}, url = {/files/bibliography/02-032.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Joel R. Brown and A.J. Tugel and P. L. Shaver and Kris Havstad} } @conference {50883, title = {Comprehending complexity together with the public: Practical strategies for improving rangeland conservation, restoration and management}, booktitle = {87th Annual Meeting, Ecological Society of America}, year = {2002}, month = {August 4-9, 2002}, pages = {25}, address = {Tucson, AZ}, abstract = {Rangeland ecosystems are complex, particularly when soil and climate are considered. Complexity is viewed as a liability when dealing with the public and scientific uncertainty often leads to uncertainties about the usefulness of science. Basic research is needed to reduce scientific uncertainties about the probable consequences of human intervention in arid and semiarid environments. Research is also needed to develop tools that can be used to more effectively communicate our evolving understanding. We will describe four successful approaches that illustrate how indicators and conceptual models based on basic research are being used to increase appreciation of ecological complexity, reduce environmental conflicts, and improve rangeland management: (1) monitoring and assessment workshops for ranchers, environmentalists and government agency personnel in the U.S. and Mexico, (2) development of ecological state and transition models, (3) implementation of integrated soil and vegetation management and monitoring plans, and (4) introduction of school children to ecological and experimental design concepts. All four of these approaches use indicators of basic ecosystem functions to help individuals and organizations with diverse goals and logistical constraints to understand and apply concepts including soil-vegetation feedbacks and ecological thresholds. Conceptual state and transition models are used to help explain how human management of fire, livestock and wildlife grazing and invasive species can have diverse effects on vegetation dynamics.}, keywords = {education, monitoring, rangeland, state-and-transition models}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and McCarthy, P. and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Kris Havstad and Melgoza, A. and A.J. Tugel} } @conference {50884, title = {Criteria for dynamic soil property selection for soil survey}, booktitle = {Annual Meeting, American Society of Agronomy-Crop Science Society of America-Soil Science Society of America}, volume = {CD-ROM}, year = {2002}, month = {November 10-14, }, pages = {Abstract No. S05-herrick162540-Poster}, address = {Indianapolis, IN}, abstract = {Reference data on dynamic soil properties are increasingly demanded by land managers, policy makers and the general public. We need properties that reflect both current capacity of the soil to support production and other ecosystem services and others that reflect capacity to maintain or increase the system{\textquestiondown}s potential to generate these services in the future. The properties must satisfy the three following criteria: (1) The relationship between the properties and the processes or functions they are intended to reflect should be clearly defined. (2) The properties should be easy to measure repeatably. Ideally, the properties should be measured in the field with simple tools. (3) The time required to complete the number of measurements required to detect a functionally significant difference in the property at a specified level of statistical significance should be minimized. We will illustrate how each criteria was evaluated for a field soil disaggregation test. We will list other criteria that should be considered in order to make the database as useful as possible. Some properties that do not meet all criteria may be sufficiently valuable to include in the database.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and A.J. Tugel} } @article {50881, title = {A dynamic cone penetrometer for measuring soil penetration resistance}, journal = {Soil Science Society of America Journal}, volume = {66}, number = {4}, year = {2002}, month = {July 1, 2002}, pages = {1320-1324}, abstract = {

Recognition of the importance of soil compaction is increasing, but instrument cost, measurement repeatability and data interpretation limit its measurement on agricultural and rangelands. The dynamic penetrometer described here follows ASAE standards but replaces the proving ring with a strike plate, a shaft extension and a sliding hammer. The penetrometer cone eis pushed into the soil by successive hammer blows. Penetration resistance is calculated as the work by the soil needed to stop cone movement divided by the penetration distance. The work by the soil is defined as the kinetic energy of the hammer when it impacts the strike plate. Construction cost is approximately US$100. The standard drop height and hammer mass ensure measurements are consistent between operators.

}, keywords = {agricultural, American Society of Agricutlural Engineers standards, cone movement, dynamic penetrometer, ensure measurements, hammer mass, impacts, kinetic energy, penetration distance, Penetration resistance, proving ring, rangelands, shaft extension, sliding hammer, soil, soil compaction, standard drop height, strike plate}, doi = {10.2136/sssaj2002.1320}, url = {/files/bibliography/02-034.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Jones, T.L.} } @conference {50886, title = {Effects of leaf age on the photosynthetic capacity of sweetgum after 5 years CO2 enrichment}, booktitle = {87th Annual Meeting, Ecological Society of America}, year = {2002}, month = {August 4-9, 2002}, pages = {363}, address = {Tucson, AZ}, abstract = {We have been monitoring the effects of CO2 enrichment on photosynthetic capacity of sun and shade leaves of overstory sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) trees for the past 5 years. Previously, (1997-1999), we found no effect of CO2 on photosynthetic capacity of sun or shade leaves. In this study, we examined whether CO2 enrichment affected photosynthetic capacity of sweetgum trees differentially in younger and older leaves. The Duke Forest FACe experiment consists of three control plots and three plots that have been fumigated with elevated CO2 (ambient plus 200 11-1) since August 1996. During June and September of 2000-2001, we measured A (net photosynthetic rate) versus Ci (calculated intercullular CO2) on sun and shade leaves, as well as the oldest sun leaves. Elevated CO2 stimulated net photosynthesis (A) in young shade and sun leaves and the oldest sun leaves (P <0.05). The maximum rate of carboxylation (Vcmax, from A-Ci curves) and electron transport (Jmax) were not significantly affected by CO2 enrichment for all leaf types examined during 2000 and 2001. Young sun leaves had approximately 30\% higher A, Vcmax and Jmax that the oldest sun leaves during September of 2000 and 2001 (P <0.05). Thus, we found no evidence of photosynthetic acclimation in sweetgum leaves after 5 years of treatment and, despite a decline in photosynthetic capacity with age, old sun leaves also did not acclimate to CO2 enrichment.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Thomas, R.B.} } @proceedings {50887, title = {Integration of soil indicators into multi-attribute rangeland monitoring and assessment systems}, volume = {Report QNRM02143}, year = {2002}, month = {August 1-6, 1999}, publisher = {Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Australia 2002}, address = {Brisbane, Australia}, abstract = {Rangeland health and soil quality are frequently defined in terms of the capacity of the land to conserve soil and water resources, cycle nutrients and support productive plant communities. Rangeland monitoring programs in most countries have traditionally focused, almost exclusively, on plant community composition. An implicit assumption is that other properties and processes are correlated with vegetation, so measurements are unnecessary. In many cases, however, soil degradation or improvement can occur in the absence of easily detectable vegetation changes until a threshold is crossed resulting in dramatic and frequently irreversible changes in plant community composition. We suggest that easily-measured soil properties can serve as early-warning indicators of potential transitions between vegetation states in rangeland ecosystems. These indicators and associated vegetation measurements are by no means universal. Both the selections of quantitative indicators and the identification of appropriate monitoring points depend on monitoring objectives and resource availability. Rapid, qualitative indicators can aid in the design of a quantitative monitoring program. They can also be applied together with quantitative indicators to aid interpretation. We describe how quantitative and qualitative soil and vegetation indicators can be used together to monitor rangeland health.}, keywords = {assessment, monitoring, rangeland health, soil and water conservation, soil quality, thresholds}, isbn = {0 7345 2668 7}, url = {/files/bibliography/02-097.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Kris Havstad}, editor = {Lawrence, P.A. and Robinson, J.} } @conference {50880, title = {Sensitivity testing of the gap intercept method, a simple, rapid indicator of changes in vegetation, soil erosion and hydrologic function}, booktitle = {Eco-Hydrology of Semiarid Landscapes: Interactions and Processes, Chapman Conference}, year = {2002}, month = {September 9-13, }, pages = {17}, address = {Taos, NM}, abstract = {The spatial structure of vegetation is widely recognized as a key factor controlling soil erosion and hydrology in arid and semiarid ecosystems at multiple spatial scales. At the plant-interspace scale, shrub invasion of grasslands may cause little or no change in total plant canopy cover but dramatically increases the area susceptible to wind erosion and reduces resistance to overland water flow. At the patch scale, the development of vegetation bands has been shown to dramatically change both hydrology and primary production. The gap intercept method is designed to detect changes in the proportion of the soil surface covered by gaps between plants larger than a minimum size. Cumulative area and frequency distributions can also be generated from the data. Gaps between both plant canopies and plant bases are recorded along the same line transect. Sensitivity tests completed in relatively degraded and undegraded areas in southern New Mexico showed the method is sensitive to vegetation change and to related changes in wind erosion and can be completed at relatively low cost by individuals with little or no botanical knowledge. We will also present the results of a comparison with a semi-quantitative {\textquestiondown}boot-gap{\textquestiondown} technique designed for use by land managers in conjunction with step-point methods of estimating plant cover and composition.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and D. E. Gillette and M.D. Remmenga} } @conference {50885, title = {Soil resistance, resilience and quantification of soil and ecological functions}, booktitle = {2002 Annual Meeting, American Society of Agronomy}, year = {2002}, month = {November 10-14, }, pages = {Abstract No. S05}, address = {Indianapolis, IN}, abstract = {Land use practices are sustainable if they result in no net loss of capacity to generate products and services. Retention of this capacity depends on soil and ecosystem resistance and resilience. Most soil properties reflect current capacity. Some reflect resistance and, rarely, resilience. Consequently, we are losing production opportunities on land with low resistance but high resilience and taking unjustified risks on land with high resistance but low resilience. We will present and illustrate a framework and research approach for identifying and evaluating soil properties related to the capacity to maintain essential ecological functions. The framework is based on five premises: (1) Resistance and resilience depend on dynamic interactions between disturbance regime, vegetation and relatively static and dynamic soil properties. (2) New research and paradigms are required to interpret currently available properties. (3) New properties must increasingly reflect soil processes. (4) The properties must reflect ecosystem response to both chronic and episodic stressors, including extreme events. (5) Resistance and resilience must be evaluated at multiple time scales.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and D.A. Pyke and K. Hipple} } @conference {51004, title = {Disturbance effects on infiltration and erosion susceptibility for biologically crusted soils in the Mojave Desert}, booktitle = {86th Annual Meeting, Ecological Society of America}, year = {2001}, month = {August 5-10, 200}, pages = {291}, address = {Madison, WI}, abstract = {The effects of soil surface disturbance on water infiltration into arid and semi-arid soils have been widely debated in both the popular and scientific literature. Previous studies suggest biological crusting reduces infiltration on soils with >80\% sand content. We tested the hypothesis that trampling would significantly increase infiltration and sediment production at sandy Mojave Desert sites dominated by biological crusts. W used a rainfall simulator to apply an intense 30-minute storm to four trampled and nontrampled plots at each of three sites with physical crusts and three sites with biological crusts, as indicated by soil chlorophyll analyses. Differences in crust cover were attributed to historic disturbance regime. Trampling reduced the infiltration rate 36\% at both the physically and biologically crusted sites. Trampling increased sediment production by a factor of 2.4 at the sites dominated by physical crusts and by a factor of 4.1 at the biologically crusted sites. Chlorophyll content was negatively correlated with sediment production and positively correlated with soil aggregate stability. We concluded maintenance of biological crusts should reduce soil erosion. The hypothesis that biological crusts reduce infiltration capacity on sandy soils was not supported by the data.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Jayne Belnap and Justin Van Zee and J. Johansen} } @article {51006, title = {Field soil aggregate stability kit for soil quality and rangeland health evaluations}, journal = {CATENA}, volume = {44}, number = {1}, year = {2001}, note = {Full Article from CATENA posted on this website with permission from Elsevier Science (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/catena). Single copies of the article can be downloaded and printed for the reader{\textquoteright}s personal research and study.}, month = {May 18, 2001}, pages = {27-35}, abstract = {

Soil aggregate stability is widely recognized as a key indicator of soil quality and rangeland health. However, few standard methods exist for quantifying soil stability in the field. A stability kit is described which can be inexpensively and easily assembled with minimal tools. It permits up to 18 samples to be evaluated in under 10 minutes and eliminates the need for transportation, minimizing damage to soil structure. The kit consists of two 21 x 10.5 x 3.5 cm plastic boxes divided into eighteen 3.5 x 3.5 cm sections, eighteen 2.5 cm diameter sieves with 1.5 mm distance openings and a small spatula used for soil sampling. Soil samples are rated on a scale from 1 to 6 based on a combination of ocular observations of slaking during the first 5 minutes following immersion in distilled water, and the percent remaining on a 1.5 mm sieve after 5 dipping cycles at the end of the 5 minute period. A laboratory comparison yielded a highly significant linear correlation between the stability class and percent aggregate stability based on oven dry weight remaining after treatment using a mechanical sieve. The relationship was not statistically different for a sandy clay loam and a loamy sand. We have applied the method in a wide variety of agricultural and natural ecosystems throughout western North America, including northern Mexico, and have found that it is highly sensitive to differences in management and plant community composition. Although the field kit cannot replace careful laboratory-based measurements of soil aggregate stability, it can clearly provide valuable information when these more intensive procedures are not possible.

}, doi = {10.1016/S0341-8162(00)00173-9}, url = {/files/bibliography/01-032.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Walter G. Whitford and A.G. de Soyza and Justin Van Zee and Kris Havstad and C. Seybold and Walton, M.} } @proceedings {50999, title = {Monitoring methodology for pasture degradation and restoration}, year = {2001}, month = {April 2-9, 2001}, pages = {2-6}, address = {San Jose, Costa Rica}, abstract = {

A simple, flexible, quantitative methodology has been developed to monitor the ecological sustainability of grassland, shrubland and savanna ecosystems. Three core soil and vegetation measurements are supplemented by optional measurements to generate indicators of three key ecosystem attributes: soil and site stability, hydrologic function and biotic integrity. The optional measurements are selected based on monitoring objectives and site-specific resource concerns, such as compaction. The methodology is designed to facilitate active participation of farmers and ranchers in both design and implementation. The approach is supported by an extensive research program of the USDA Agricultural Research Service and will be summarized in a manual to be published in both English and Spanish.

}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @article {51003, title = {Rangeland soil quality--Aggregate stability (Soil Quality Information Sheet, Rangeland Sheet 3)}, year = {2001}, month = {May 2001}, publisher = {USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service}, abstract = {Soil aggregates are groups of soil particles that are bound to each other more strongly than to adjacent particles. Aggregate stability refers to the ability of aggregates to resist degradation. Additions of organic matter to the soil enhance the stability of aggregates. Raindrops, flowing water, and windblown sand grains can break apart soil aggregates, exposing organic matter to decomposition and loss. Stable aggregates are critical to erosion resistance, water availability, and root growth. Aggregate stability in rangelands is commonly measured on soil samples removed from the top one-fourth to one-half inch of the soil. This part of the soil is most likely to be removed by wind or water erosion. Deeper samples can also be analyzed. Samples should be collected both from beneath plants and from spaces between plants. Several samples should be collected from each area. The stability of aggregates is affected by soil properties that change relatively little and by properties that change in response to changes in vegetation and management. As a result, measurements of the aggregate stability of a given soil should be compared only with measurements for the same or similar soils with similar textures. Improving the productivity of rangeland through good range management normally increases aggregate stability. Include practices that maintain the optimum amount of live vegetation and litter in order to maintain the content of organic matter and soil structure and control erosion; decrease the number and size of bare areas; and, minimize soil surface disturbances, especially in arid areas.}, keywords = {government publication}, url = {http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/management/files/RSQIS3.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and A.J. Tugel and P. L. Shaver and M. Pellant} } @article {51002, title = {Rangeland soil quality--Indicators for assessment and monitoring (Soil Quality Information Sheet, Rangeland Sheet 2)}, year = {2001}, month = {May 2001}, publisher = {USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service}, abstract = {Indicators are key soil or plant community characteristics sensitive to environmental change. They reflect complex ecosystem processes too difficult or expensive to be measured directly. They provide information about the current status of rangeland ecosystems. Trends from indicators measured regularly provide clues about the response of the system to anagement. Soil quality indicators complement vegetation indicators and may be qualitative or quantitative.}, keywords = {government publication}, url = {http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/management/files/RSQIS2.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and A.J. Tugel and P. L. Shaver and M. Pellant} } @article {51005, title = {Rangeland soil quality--Infiltration (Soil Quality Information Sheet, Rangeland Sheet 5)}, year = {2001}, month = {May 2001}, publisher = {USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service}, abstract = {Infiltration rate is simply how fast water enters the soil and is usually measured in inches or millimeters per hour. This rate depends on soil texture (amount of sand, silt, and clay) and on soil structure. Soils in good condition have well developed structure and continuous pores to the surface. As a result, water from rainfall or snowmelt readily enters these soils. The proportion of water from rainfall or snowmelt that enters the soil depends on residence time (how long the water remains on the surface before running off) and the infiltration rate. These are affected by vegetation and many soil properties. The soil and vegetation properties that currently limit infiltration and the potential for increasing the infiltration rate must be considered in any management plan. Where waterflow patterns have been altered by a shift in vegetation, such as a shift from grassland to open-canopy shrub land, restoration of higher infiltration rates may be difficult or take a long period, especially if depletion of organic matter and/or soil loss have occurred. Excessive grazing of forage can impair infiltration. Management strategies include: increase the amount of plant cover, especially of plants that have positive effects on infiltration; decrease the extent of compaction by avoiding intensive grazing and the use of machinery when the soils are wet; decrease the formation of physical crusts by maintaining or improving the cover of plants or litter and thus reducing the impact of raindrops; and, increase aggregate stability by increasing the amount of organic matter added to the soil through residue decomposition and vigorous root growth.}, keywords = {government publication}, url = {http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/management/files/RSQIS5.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and A.J. Tugel and P. L. Shaver and M. Pellant} } @article {51000, title = {Rangeland soil quality--Introduction (Soil Quality Information Sheet, Rangeland Sheet 1)}, year = {2001}, month = {May 2001}, publisher = {USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service}, abstract = {Soil Quality Information Sheets for rangelands describe soil properties that change in response to management and vegetation change. The sheets provide information related to a number of indicators used in rangeland health assessments. They support rangeland inventories and monitoring and provide possible management strategies for planning purposes. The introduction defines rangeland, rangeland health, soil, soil quality and explains how rangeland health and soil quality are interdependent.}, keywords = {government publication}, url = {http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/management/files/RSQIS1.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and A.J. Tugel and P. L. Shaver and M. Pellant} } @article {51007, title = {Rangeland soil quality--Water erosion (Soil Quality Information Sheet, Rangeland Sheet 9)}, year = {2001}, month = {May 2001}, publisher = {USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service}, abstract = {Water erosion is the detachment and removal of soil material by water. The process may be natural or accelerated by human activity. The rate of erosion may be very slow to very rapid, depending on the soil, the local landscape, and weather conditions. Water erosion wears away the earth{\textquestiondown}s surface. Sheet erosion is the more or less uniform removal of soil from the surface. Rill and gully erosion occurs when concentrated runoff cuts conspicuous channels into the soil. Deposition of the sediment removed by erosion is likely in any area where the velocity of running water is reduced: behind plants, litter, and rocks; in places where slope is reduced; or in streams, lakes, and reservoirs. Erosion is caused by the impact of raindrops on bare soil and by the power of running water on the soil surface. Each specific soil has its own natural erosion rate. A sandy or clayey texture generally is less erodible than loam or silt loam. Sandy soils that formed in material weathered from decomposed granitic rock, however, are highly erodible. Soils with rock fragments or biological crusts on the surface are protected from the impact of raindrops. Stable soil aggregates bound together by organic matter resist erosion, enhance infiltration, and result in less runoff. Bare soil between plants is most susceptible to erosion. The risk of erosion and the potential for recovery after erosion must be considered in any management plan. The risk of erosion is increased by a fire frequency or intensity that is either greater or less than is expected for the site; by disturbances, such as heavy grazing; and by the establishment of weeds. Areas with fertile topsoil are most likely to recover after a disturbance. In areas where much of the topsoil is lost, the site may no longer be able to support the historic vegetation. Management strategies include: Maintain or increase the cover of plants or litter on the soil through the application of good rangeland management practices. Reduce soil surface disturbances, especially in arid areas. Increase the rate of water infiltration and improve soil aggregate stability by improving or maintaining the quality of the plant community. Minimize grazing and traffic when the soil is wet and thus prevent the reduced infiltration caused by compaction and physical crusting. Build water bars and direct waterflow from roads, trails, or vehicle tracks across the slope or into existing drainageways. Maintain road surfaces and drainageways.}, keywords = {government publication}, url = {http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/management/files/RSQIS9.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and A.J. Tugel and P. L. Shaver and M. Pellant} } @article {51008, title = {Rangeland soil quality--Wind erosion (Soil Quality Information Sheet, Rangeland Sheet 10)}, year = {2001}, month = {May 2001}, publisher = {USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service}, abstract = {Wind erosion is the physical wearing of the earth{\textquoteright}s surface by wind. Wind erosion removes and redistributes soil. Small blowout areas may be associated with adjacent areas of deposition at the base of plants or behind obstacles, such as rocks, shrubs, fence rows, and roadbanks. In many cases the fine soil particles and organic matter are blown offsite or into the atmosphere as dust. Reducing the amount of bare ground by increasing the extent of vegetation, litter, and biological crusts reduces the risk of wind erosion. Wind erosion can occur only when windspeed at the soil surface is sufficient to lift and transport soil particles. Moist soils and soils with stable aggregates or rock fragments are less likely to be eroded than other soils. Thick lichen crusts provide greater resistance to erosion than thin crusts. Sand moving across the soil surface wears away soil aggregates and thin crusts, causing more soil particles to become detached and to be blown away. A cover of plants disrupts the force of the wind. Soils are more susceptible to wind erosion where disturbance exposes individual particles and soil aggregates to the wind. When physical or biological crusts are crushed or broken apart by such disturbances as heavy grazing, vehicle or foot traffic, and water erosion, particle movement begins at the lower windspeeds. The following conditions increase the susceptibility of the soil to wind erosion: crushed or broken soil surface crusts during windy periods; a reduction in the plant cover, biological crusts, and litter, resulting in bare soil; a decrease in the amount of organic matter in the soil, causing decreased aggregate stability; and long, unsheltered, smooth soil surfaces. The risk of erosion and the potential for recovery after erosion must be considered in any management plan. Disturbances, such as heavy grazing, fire that removes too much plant cover and litter, or vehicle and foot traffic, can increase the risk of wind erosion. Physical crusts protect the soil from wind erosion but can retard plant establishment. Areas with fertile topsoil are most likely to recover after a disturbance. Where much of the topsoil is lost, the site may no longer be able to support the historic vegetation. Management strategies include: Maintain or increase the protective cover of plants and litter on the soil through the application of good rangeland management practices. Reduce disturbances of physical and biological crusts, especially in arid areas. Maintain soil aggregate stability by improving or maintaining the quality of the plant community.}, keywords = {government publication}, url = {http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/management/files/RSQIS10.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and A.J. Tugel and P. L. Shaver and M. Pellant} } @conference {51001, title = {Spatial variability in dynamic soil properties: sampling requirements for a national database}, booktitle = {Annual Meeting, Soil Science Society of America}, year = {2001}, month = {October 15, 2001}, pages = {CD-ROM}, abstract = {Sampling protocols that account for the spatial variability of near-surface dynamic soil properties are required in order to adequately characterize the temporal variability of these properties. The spatial variability of dynamic properties (e.g., SOC, bulk density and infiltration capacity) is not known for most rangeland soils. In order to better define sampling requirements for rangelands, we measured a suite of near-surface dynamic soil properties in paired degraded and relatively undegraded plots located on four different soils representing four different ecological sites in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, southern New Mexico, USA. We calculated the variance in soil and vegetation properties at three different spatial scales: (1) pedon (shrub-interspace), (2) polypedon of a soil map unit component (i.e., 60m diameter circle), and (3) ecological site. Preliminary results suggest that (1) both the scale and magnitude of spatial variability are correlated with vegetation type, (2) sampling requirements can be significantly reduced by using stratified random sampling at the pedon (plant-interspace) scale, and (3) analysis costs can be further reduced by varying the number of samples depending on the level of spatial variability for a particular property.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and A.J. Tugel and M.D. Remmenga and Laura M. Burkett and Norfleet, L.M. and C. Ditzler} } @proceedings {51083, title = {Integrating soil processes into management: From microaggregates to macrocatchments}, volume = {1}, year = {2000}, month = {July 17-23, 1999}, pages = {91-95}, address = {Townsville, Australia}, abstract = {

Soil properties and processes are rarely considered in range management, or in monitoring or assessment of range condition. An implicit assumption of most management programs is that soil properties are correlated with vegetation, so it is only necessary to manage and monitor the plant community. However, most range managers recognize that the plant communities which could exist at a particular site fundamentally depend on soil properties, and that many of these properties are dynamic and respond to management. A reduction in soil organic matter content, or a change in its distribution (dynamic properties), are frequently cited as indicators of land degradation (Northup \& Brown 1999a,b). There are numerous reports demonstrating relationships between soil properties and processes and the capacity of rangelands to support diverse plant and animal communities (National Research Council 1994) and plant and animal production (Elkins et al. 1986; Whitford et al. 1987; Whitford \& Parker 1989; Whitford \& Herrick 1995), and maintain air quality (Belnap \& Gillette 1998) and water quality (National Research Councill993).

}, keywords = {ecosystem health, indicators, management, monitoring, soil processes}, url = {/files/bibliography/00-001.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Walter G. Whitford} } @conference {51081, title = {Relationship between soil organic matter dynamics and disturbance regime and applications to monitoring and modelling vegetation change}, booktitle = {85th Annual Meeting, Ecological Society of America}, year = {2000}, month = {August 8-10, 200}, pages = {404}, address = {Snowbird, UT}, abstract = {Soil organic matter is widely cited as a key ecosystem property which both affects and reflects water and nutrient storage and redistribution. Relationships between soil organic matter and soil structure in arid ecosystems and the effects of soil biota and disturbance are poorly understood. Our research is designed to develop an understanding of how interactions between plants, soil organic matter and soil biota affect patch-scale soil water infiltration and storage under different disturbance regimes and how variability in these processes across the landscape contributes to resource redistribution and vegetation patterns. We are applying this understanding to the development of (1) a quantitative monitoring system for grassland, shrubland and savanna ecosystems, (2) a spatially interactive gap dynamics model (ECOTONE see Peters and Herrick poster), and (3) ecologically-based remediation approaches for degraded rangeland. Our results show termites, ants and microbiotic crusts contribute significantly to the spatial variability of water infiltration and runoff and the resistance and resilience of soil properties and processes are strongly dependent on both soil type and the soil biotic community. The monitoring system includes a suite of rapid soil and vegetation indicators selected and applied on a site-specific basis and interpreted in a landscape context.}, keywords = {disturbance, interactions, modelling, monitoring, organic matter, resource redistribution, soil, vegetaton patterns}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @article {51082, title = {Soil quality: An indicator of sustainable land management?}, journal = {Applied Soil Ecology}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, year = {2000}, month = {August 1, 2000}, pages = {75-83}, abstract = {

Soil quality appears to be an ideal indicator of sustainable land management. Soil quality, by definition, reflects the capacity to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and promote plant and animal health. Few land managers have adopted soil quality as an indicator of sustainable land management. There are a number of constraints to adoption. Most could be overcome through a concerted effort by the research community. The following issues need to be addressed: 1) Demonstrate causal relationships between soil quality and ecosystem functions, including biodiversity conservation, biomass production and conservation of soil and water resources. 2) Increase the power of soil quality indicators to predict response to disturbance. Although there are many indicators that reflect the current capacity of a soil to function, there are few that can predict the capacity of the soil to continue to function under a range of disturbance regimes. 3) Increase accessibility of monitoring systems to land managers. 4) Integrate soil quality with other biophysical and socioeconomic indicators. 5) Place soil quality in a landscape context. In conclusion, soil quality is a necessary but not sufficient indicator of sustainable land management. Its value will continue to increase as limitations are diminished through collaboration between scientists, land managers and policy makers.

}, keywords = {constraints, indicator, land management, soil quality}, doi = {10.1016/S0929-1393(00)00073-1}, url = {/files/bibliography/JRN00312.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @conference {51226, title = {Incorporation of soil quality indicators into rangeland monitoring programs in Mexico and the US}, booktitle = {Annual Meeting, American Society of Agronomy}, year = {1998}, month = {October 18-22, 1}, pages = {212-213}, address = {Baltimore, MD}, abstract = {The condition of rangelands is reflected in interactions between soil and vegetation However, soil indicators are rarely incorporated into rangeland monitoring programs High cost and problems associated with generalizing from samples from a single profile are frequently cited reasons. Recently developed rapid field indicators of soil surface stability, compaction and infiltration capacity were evaluated together with vegetation in a variety of rangeland ecosystems in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Soil measurements were completed at a minimum of 12 points at each monitoring site. Indicators derived from all three measurements complemented vegetation-based parameters, although not all indicators were appropriate for all sites Stratification by vegetative cover generally reduced the number of measurements required Based on the results and related work, decision trees were developed to aid selection of appropriate type and number of measurements.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Royo, M. and Baez, A. and Melgoza, A. and L. Huenneke and Justin Van Zee and A.G. de Soyza and Walter G. Whitford and Kris Havstad} } @inbook {51224, title = {Rangeland Soil Erosion and Soil Quality: Role of Soil Resistance, Resilience, and Disturbance Regime}, booktitle = {Soil Quality and Soil Erosion}, year = {1998}, month = {September 24, 19}, pages = {209-233}, publisher = {CRC Press}, organization = {CRC Press}, chapter = {13}, address = {Columbus, OH}, abstract = {

The relationships between rangeland soil quality, soil resilience, and soil erosion depend on several interacting factors: (1) landscape and climate characteristics, (2) current disturbance regime, and (3) recent and evolutionary disturbance history. These factors tend to be more variable across rangelands than across agricultural lands. There are at least four specific relationships between soil quality and soil erosion which involve soil resistance or soil resilience. The first is the historical resistance of the soil to past disturbances, which can serve as an indicator of soil quality. Second, the current resistance of the soil to disturbance is related to soil erosion potential. The third relationship is the current resilience of the system following soil erosion. Finally, soil erosion is a driver in the system which determines soil quality. This final relationship illustrates the need to view the system dynamically: soil erosion both reflects and affects soil quality. These dynamic relationships depend, in turn, on the characteristics of historic and current disturbance regimes. Both ecosystems and species tend to evolve in response to dominant disturbance regimes, such as fire, drought, and grazing. The resistance and/or resilience of the system will tend to be higher for disturbance regimes which share key characteristics with historic and evolutionary patterns.

}, url = {/files/bibliography/663.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and M.A. Weltz and Reeder, J.D. and G.E. Schuman and Simanton, J.R.} } @conference {51223, title = {Role of ants and termites in improving soil water infiltration}, booktitle = {Society for Range Management}, year = {1998}, month = {1998}, pages = {54}, abstract = {Rangeland degradation is frequently associated with reduced water infiltration at both the microsite and landscape levels. Many soil invertebrates create macropores which can conduct water more quickly into the soil. The objective of this study was to determine whether the macropores created by termites and harvester ants significantly increase infiltration. A tension infiltrometer was used to quantify macropore contribution to soil water infiltration under natural and artificial baits with increased termite activity, and in and around harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex rugosus) nests on compacted soils. There was no treatment effect on infiltration rates into a sandy loam when water was applied at tensions which only filled pores smaller than those created by termites (approximate pore equivalent cylindrical diameter <250u; 25-43mm/hr; p>0.1). However, when the contribution of macropores attributable to termite activity was included (5mm tension; e.c.d.<6mm), the infiltration capacity in areas with enhanced termite activity increased two- to three-fold on the sandy loam (33 vs. 66-102mm/hr; p<0.01). Similar enhancements in infiltration capacity were recorded at the silty clay site, and on harvester ant mounds suggesting that soil-dwelling termites and ants may play a role similar to that of earthworms in more mesic systems.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Walter G. Whitford} } @proceedings {51225, title = {Soil organisms and rangeland soil hydrological functions}, volume = {PNW-GTR-461}, year = {1998}, month = {March 17-19, 199}, pages = {91-100}, publisher = {USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station}, address = {Corvallis, OR}, abstract = {

Soil organisms control water distribution in rangelands by creating macropores which rapidly conduct water into the soil, by generating stable soil aggregates which prevent crusting and increase water holding capacity, and by controlling litter decomposition. Ants, termites and earthworms have all been shown to increase infiltration capacity; anecdotal evidence suggests that macropore formation by a variety of other macroinvertebrate may have equally dramatic effects. Macroinvertebrates generate aggregates in the form of fecal pellets. Lichens, mycorrhizal fungi, cyanobacteria and other microorganisms also contribute to aggregate formation and soil surface stabilization. The direct effects of rapid litter decomposition on infiltration and soil water storage in arid and semi-arid rangelands is generally negative: litter removal exposes the surface to raindrop impact, which leads to the formation of physical crusts, and increases evaporation from the soil surface. These negative impacts are balanced by the creation of surface-connected macropores and the incorporation of soil organic matter, resulting in the formation of stable aggregates.

}, keywords = {aggregate, ant, available water holding capacity, earthworm, fungi, hydrology, infiltration, invertebrate, rangeland, soil organic mattter, soil structure, soil water, termite}, url = {/files/bibliography/662.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @conference {51282, title = {Assessing and monitoring the quality of rangeland soils: Early warning indicators of desertification}, booktitle = {International Symposium and Workshop Combating Desertification: Connecting Science with Community Action}, year = {1997}, month = {May 12-16, 1997}, pages = {Abstract 32}, address = {Tucson, AZ}, abstract = {Soil quality can be defined as the soil{\textquoteright}s capacity to perform selected functions, resist degradation, and recover after disturbance. Soil quality depends upon interactions between soil, soil microflora and fauna, and vegetation. Direct and indirect measures of these interactions may therefore serve as useful indicators of overall ecosystem condition. We examined several indicators of soil quality on grazing intensity gradients, exclosed as grazed plots, degration sequence plots, and plots subjected to ecosystem reconstruction. Indicators examined include penetrometer resistance, final infiltration rate, soil surface stability (resistance to slacking), soil surface properties, obstruction value of vegetation, and soil texture. Other soil properties examined include abundance of soil microarthropods and activity of organisms that cause soil turnover. We present approaches for calibrating data and linking data to ecosystem processes and an approach for combining indicators of soil quality for a variety of management objectives.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Walter G. Whitford} } @conference {51283, title = {Contribution of soil termite activity to remediation of degraded rangeland}, booktitle = {Annual Meeting, American Society for Agronomy}, year = {1997}, month = {October 26-31, 1}, pages = {294-295}, address = {Anaheim, CA}, abstract = {The hypothesis that termite activity could be used to enhance infiltration capacity in degraded rangelands was tested at the Jomada Experimental Range by measuring infiltration rates at a variety of tensions beneath organic (cattle dung patches) and artificial (styrofoam) baits placed in highly impacted areas on two soils. There was no treatment effect on near-equilibrium infiltration rates into tlr.{\textquoteright} sandy loam under 120mm and 40mm of tension (approximate pore equivalent).}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Walter G. Whitford and Jones, T.L.} } @inbook {51285, title = {Relationships between soil organic carbon and soil quality in cropped and rangeland soils: the importance of distribution, composition, and soil biological activity}, booktitle = {Soil Processes and the Carbon Cycle}, year = {1997}, month = {1997}, pages = {405-425}, publisher = {CRC Press LLC}, organization = {CRC Press LLC}, chapter = {28}, address = {New York, NY}, abstract = {The often-cited positive relationship between soil organic carbon (SOC) content and soil quality (Arshad and Coen, 1992; National Research Council, 1993; Doran and Parkin, 1994; Manley et al., 1995; Pikul and Aase, 1995; Karlen and Cambardella, 1996) is consistent with the results of over one hundred years of modern agricultural research (Bauer and Black, 1994) and with thousands of years of on-farm observation and experimentation (Magdoff, 1992). This relationship is based on contributions which SOC makes as a constituent of soil organic matter (SOM) to critical soil properties, processes and functions. The term "SOM" will be used in the remainder of this chapter except where carbon per se is of interest. SOM is preferred here because it reflects the reality that impacts of SOC on soil quality are determined by its chemical, physical, and biological configuration within SOM. The positive correlation between SOM and soil quality holds, in general, for all of the definitions of soil quality listed by Doran and Parkin (1994), as well as for the concepts of soil quality discussed by Warkentin (1995). Soil organic matter content was listed by a group of 28 Wisconsin farmers as the single most important property for characterizing soil health or soil quality based on their personal definitions (Romig et al., 1995). SOM was also cited as "perhaps the single most important indicator of soil quality" in a National Research Council report on soil and water quality. The report defined soil quality as "the capacity of the soil to promote the growth of plants; protect watersheds by regulating the infiltration and partitioning of precipitation; and prevent water and air pollution by buffering potential pollutants such as agricultural chemicals, organic wastes, and industrial chemicals" (National Research Council, 1993). For the purposes of this chapter, soil quality is defined as the capacity of a soil to perform functions which sustain biological productivity and maintain environmental quality. Soil quality depends on current soil functional integrity and on soil{\textquoteright}s resistance to, and resilience following, perturbation. Resistance is inversely proportional to loss of soil functional integrity following perturbation, while resilience is proportional to the recovery of functional integrity (Figure 1; Pimm, 1984). It is clear that a general relationship exists between SOM content, soil functions, and the capacity of the soil to maintain and/or recover those functions over time.}, url = {/files/bibliography/525.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Wander, M.M.}, editor = {R. (ed.) Lal and Kimble, J.M. and Follett, R.F. and Stewart, B.A.} } @article {51286, title = {Rethinking remediation technologies for desertified landscapes}, journal = {Water Conservation}, volume = {52}, year = {1997}, month = {1997}, pages = {220-225}, abstract = {

Shrub dominated communities have replaced native grasslands throughout much of the arid Southwest during the past 120 years. Most currently available remediation technologies are uneconomical due to large inputs of energy, fertilizers, herbicides adn labor or are ecologically ineffective due to harsh environments adn the highly competitive nature of these native shrubs. Our analysis of these historical remediation technologies together with new information on ecosystem processes has led us to pursue an ecologically-based approach in which more limited inputs are targeted to promote natural processes of regeneration. Advantages to this approach include lower costs, reduced reliance on agronomic practices, and maintenance of natural landscape features. Disadvantages include longer time required for desired changes to occur, and a need for increased understanding of arid land processes.

}, url = {/files/bibliography/586.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Kris Havstad and D.P. Coffin} } @conference {51284, title = {Review of soil quality research and potential for assessing and monitoring soil quality on rangeland}, booktitle = {50th Annual Meeting, Society for Range Management}, year = {1997}, month = {1997}, pages = {4}, abstract = {Current interest in developing inter-agency assessment and monitoring programs for U.S. rangelands is paralleled by similar efforts to develop a national system to monitor soil quality. The Soil Science Society of America defines soil quality as "the capacity of a soil to function, within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and support human health and habitation." The NRCS, ARS, BLM, ERA and a variety of universities, nonprofit and private organizations are currently testing indicators of the capacity of soils to support a broad range of ecosystem functions. Most work on soil quality has focused on annual croplands. The fundamental importance of soil and water conservation and plant productivity to the sustainability of both croplands and rangelands suggests that some indicators should be suitable for both types of ecosystems. Efforts are currently underway to (1) adapt and modify cropland soil quality indicators for use on rangelands, (2) develop additional (especially vegetation-based) indicators which better reflect the unique characteristics of rangeland soil processes, and (3) integrate rangeland and cropland soil quality assessment and monitoring systems to generate a program which can be applied at the national level.}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Mausbach, M.J.} } @conference {51347, title = {Application of soil quality assessments to rangeland remediation and sustainable management}, booktitle = {Workshop on Long-Term Research on Soil, Water, and Nutrient Management within the CGIAR System}, year = {1996}, month = {July 26-27, 1996}, address = {Columbus, OH}, keywords = {assessments, rangeland, remediation, soil quality, sustainable management}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @article {51348, title = {Dung decomposition and pedoturbation in a seasonally dry tropical pasture}, journal = {Biology and Fertility of Soils}, volume = {23}, year = {1996}, month = {August 1996}, pages = {177-181}, abstract = {

Rates of dung decomposition and the associated accumulation of soil transported to the surface were compared for dung deposited during a dry and a wet season in a Costa Rican pasture. Average decomposition rates for the first 140 days after deposition were significantly lower for dung patches deposited at the beginning of the dry season than for patches deposited at the beginning of the wet season (0.73 vs. 1.50 g/day-1 on a dry weight basis). A strong linear relationship was found between dung removal and soil accumulation at the original soil surface, with an average of 2.0 g soil accumulated for every gram of dung which was removed. This relationship was not affected by deposition season. The lack of a seasonal difference, along with the relatively low decomposition rates during the wet season, were explained by the dominance of termites in the dung patches throughout the year. Evidence of dung beetle activity was never recorded during the dry season and was found in only 18 of the 45 dung patches recovered during the wet season.

}, keywords = {Cattle dung, decomposition, Pedoturbation, soil restoration, termites, Tropical pastures}, doi = {10.1007/BF00336060}, url = {/files/bibliography/491.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Lal, L.} } @conference {51344, title = {Farmer needs and criteria for soil quality assessment tools}, booktitle = {American Society of Agronomy Meetings}, year = {1996}, month = {November 3-7, 19}, pages = {Abstract 50}, address = {Indianapolis, IN}, keywords = {assessment tools, soil quality}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Ericksen, P. and G. Johnson and Kohlmeier, L. and Morrone, V.L. and Scrimger, J.} } @conference {51345, title = {Indicators of Soil Quality for Southwestern Rangelands}, booktitle = {Soil Qualilty: A Guide to Conservation Workshop}, year = {1996}, month = {July 17-18, 1996}, address = {Ames, IA}, keywords = {indicators, rangelands, soil quality, southwestern}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @conference {51343, title = {Relationships between rangeland soil quality, soil resilience, and soil erosion}, booktitle = {Soil and Water Conservation Society Conference, Soil Quality and Erosion Interaction}, year = {1996}, month = {July 7-10, 1996}, address = {Keystone, CO}, abstract = {The relationships between rangeland soil quality, soil resilience and soil erosion depend on several interacting factors: (1) landscape and climate characteristics, (2) current disturbance regime, and (3) recent and evolutionary disturbance history. These factors tend to be more variable across rangelands than across agricultural lands. There are at least four specific relationships between soil quality and soil erosion which involve soil resistance or soil resilience. The first is the historical resistance of the soil to past disturbances, which can serve as an indicator of soil quality. Secondly, the current resistance of the soil to disturbance is related to soil erosion potential. The third relationship is the current resilience of the system following soil erosion. Finally, soil erosion is z driver in the system which determines soil quality. This final relationship illustrates the need to view the system dynamically: soil erosion both reflects and affects soil quality. These dynamic relationships depend, in turn, on the characteristics of historic and current disturbance regimes. Both ecosystems and species tend to evolve in response to dominant disturbance regimes, such as fire, drought, and grazing. The resistance and/or resilience of the system will tend to be higher for disturbance regimes which share key characteristics with historic and evolutionary patterns.}, keywords = {rangeland, soil erosion, soil quality, soil resilience}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and M.A. Weltz and G.E. Schuman and Reeder, J.D. and Simanton, J.R.} } @proceedings {51346, title = {Soil and vegetation indicators for assessment of rangeland ecological condition}, year = {1996}, month = {1996}, pages = {157-166}, publisher = {USDA, Forest and Range Experiment Station, General Technical Report RM-GTR-284}, address = {Mexico City, Mexico}, abstract = {

Indicators of rangeland ecological condition should be (1) quantitative, (2) rapid, (3) repeatable, (4) easily communicated, and (5) susceptible to sensitivity analysis. Most importantly, the indicators should be related to ecosystem function and to the capacity of the system to resist and recover from disturbance. Based on these criteria, we have developed a suite of indicators for North American desert rangelands. Most of these rangelands are located on fragile, nutrient- and organic matter-poor soils and suffer from periodic moisture deficits. Consequently, we have focused on indicators which reflect the capacity of the system to trap and retain soil and water resources. These indicators include size of bare soil patches, cryptogamic crust cover and soil surface stability, and the ratio of long-lived to short-lived perennials. Another suite of indicators reflect rangeland productivity. These include proportion of total perennial plant cover of species palatable to livestock as well as total biomass production. We have developed and tested these and a number of other indicators in a wide variety of plant communities with known disturbance histories at the Jornada Experimental Range in the Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico, and validated them on cooler, more mesic rangelands in Idaho and Oregon, as well as an arid site in Utah. We will present results from the Chihuahuan Desert evaluation, together with a preliminary version of a variable-weighting system to combine these indicators into flexible indices of ecological condition which can be adapted to address the objectives of individual agencies and land managers.

}, url = {/files/bibliography/493.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Walter G. Whitford and A.G. de Soyza and Justin Van Zee}, editor = {Bravo, C.A.} } @article {51401, title = {Assessing the quality of rangeland soils: Challenges and opportunities}, journal = {Journal of Soil and Water Conservation}, volume = {50}, number = {3}, year = {1995}, month = {1995}, pages = {237-242}, abstract = {

Rangeland soils present unique challenges and opportunities for assessing soil quality. Three characteristics in particular distinguish rangeland soils from cropped soils: (l) spatial variability in rangelands rends to be higher than in cropped systems; (2) temporal variability is high because many biological and physical processes depend on a limited and frequently unpredictable supply of soil moisture; (3) the land often has many uses in addition to food production.

}, url = {/files/bibliography/453.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Walter G. Whitford} } @conference {51399, title = {Contribution of ant activity to spatial variability in hydrologic properties in the Chihuahuan Desert}, booktitle = {American Society of Agronomy Meeting}, year = {1995}, month = {October 29-Novem}, pages = {Abstract 309}, abstract = {The activity of soil fauna is frequently cited as a factor contributing to the spatial variability of arid rangeland soils in the southwestern United States. However, few studies have correlated differences in soil physical properties with the activity of specific soil organisms. In order to quantify the contribution of ant activity to spatial variability in surface macroporosity, infiltration rates under ponding and under tension at the center and margins of harvester ant (Pogonomyrmexrugosus) nests were compared with rates in adjacent, nonvegetated control sites. Both saturated hydraulic conductivity and the difference between saturated and unsaturated conductivity were highest at the nest centers. These results illustrate the role of ants in the creation of macropores capable of conducting water under conditions of overland flow. The results will be discussed with respect to patterns and densities of ant nests in the Chihuahaun Desert.}, keywords = {ant activity, Chihuahuan Desert, hydrologic properties, macropores, spatial variability}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Walter G. Whitford} } @conference {51400, title = {Rethinking remediation technologies for desertified landscapes}, booktitle = {Society for Ecology Restoration Meeting}, year = {1995}, month = {September 14-16,}, pages = {105}, address = {University of Washington, Seattle, WA}, abstract = {

Shrub-dominated communities have replaced native grasslands throughout much of the arid Southwest. Past attempts to reestablish native grasslands or to revegetate with exotic grasses have largely failed or have resulted in further degradation. These attempts failed in spite of large energy inputs such as rootplowing, fertilization, and herbicides. Large-scale surface disturbances associated with these approaches may also disrupt soil and cultural resources. A recently initiated rangeland restoration research program at the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range is based on the following premises: (1) biological integrity of both above- and below-ground systems, in addition to the short-term establishment of desired species, is necessary to buffer against future disturbances, (2) resource redistribution over time at the community and landscape levels plays an important role in both desertification and restoration processes, (3) restoration efforts should focus on fertile sites best suited for reestablishment of the native community, and (4) planting technologies should be based on readily available "natural" dispersal systems. Current and planned research at the Jornada includes work on the role of shrub rooting patterns and soil biota (e.g., mycorrhizae, ants, and termites) in restoration, the use of animals and water as potential dispersal agents of propagules, the use of grazing animals as remediation tools, and adaptation of indigenous agricultural practices.

}, keywords = {desertified landscapes, remediation technologies, Southwest}, url = {files/bibliography/95-SocforEcolRest-Herrick.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Kris Havstad and E.L. Fredrickson} } @article {51398, title = {Simple method for determination of mass loss rates for soil-contaminated samples in decomposition studies}, journal = {Pedobiologia}, volume = {39}, year = {1995}, note = {Full Article posted on this website with permission from Pedobiologia.}, month = {1995}, pages = {74-77}, abstract = {

The rate of weight loss is one of the most commonly cited parameters in litter decomposition studies. In spite of recent advances in the direct measurement of respiration rates, litter bags, litter standing crop measurements, and decomposition standards continue to be recommended as the most reliable methods for determining absolute decomposition rates (Anderson \& Ingram 1989). All three of these methods are frequently complicated by soil contamination. Three options are currently available to deal with this problem: (1) exclusion in the field with physical barriers, (2) mechanical separation in the laboratory, or (3) calculation based on the measurement of a constituent of the organic material, or of the soil. Soil can be at least partially excluded in the field by reducing the mesh size of litter bags. However, reducing mesh size may exacerbate other widely-recognized limitations of litter bags by excluding macroinvertebrates (Holter 1979), or by affecting microorganism populations through microclimate modification (St. John 1980).

}, keywords = {decomposition, litterbags, methods, moisture retention, roots, soil}, url = {/files/bibliography/448.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick} } @article {51402, title = {Soil physical property changes during dung decomposition in a tropical pasture}, journal = {Soil Science Society of America Journal}, volume = {59}, year = {1995}, month = {1995}, pages = {908-912}, abstract = {

The contributions of soil macroinvertebrates to the creation and maintenance of soil structure in tropical rangeland ecosystems are poorly understood, in spite of the fact that compaction is frequently cited as a limiting factor in pasture production. Decomposition of cattle dung (fecal material) is associated with high levels of soil macroinvertebrate activity. We hypothesized that bulk density and surface penetrometer resistance would be reduced in soil beneath decomposing cattle dung patches and that soil water infiltration capacity and drainable porosity would be increased. Cattle dung was deposited in patches during the dry and wet seasons of 1991 in a seasonally dry pasture located 5 km north of Caiias, Costa Rica, on a Typic Argiustoll. At the end of the wet season, surface 3-cm bulk density was \<0.93 Mg m-3 under dung patches, compared with 1.05 Mg m-3 \ in control plots. Drainable porosity, defined as air-filled porosity at 0.006 MPa, increased from 13\% in control plots to \>21\% under dung. Similar, but smaller, differences were recorded at dung patch edges and at a depth of 4 to 7 cm. At the end of the wet season, equilibrium infiltration rates averaged 71 mm h -1 in the patch plots and 34 mm h-1 \ in the controls. Changes in penetrometer resistance were transient and no treatment effects persisted to end of the wet season. The results of this study indicate that processes associated with dung decomposition play a role in reducing surface compaction.

}, doi = {10.2136/sssaj1995.03615995005900030040x}, url = {/files/bibliography/450.pdf}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and R. (ed.) Lal} } @conference {51453, title = {Approaches to assessing the quality of rangeland soils}, booktitle = {American Society of Agronomy Meeting}, year = {1994}, month = {November 13-18, }, pages = {Abstract 285}, abstract = {Soil quality can be defined as the soil{\textquoteright}s capacity to perform selected functions, to resist degradation, and to recover following disturbance. It depends on interactions between the soil, soil fauna, and vegetation, and, therefore, may serve as a useful integrated indicator of overall ecosystem condition. Definitions of ecosystem condition, however, depend on management objectives. We will present an approach for calibrating indicators of semiarid rangeland soil quality for a variety of management objectives. This integrated approach will be illustrated with preliminary data from a study of semiarid rangeland in the Chihuahuan Desert. These data, together with other recent studies, suggest that spatial patterns may be as useful as average values of soil properties in assessing soil quality for noncultivated systems.}, keywords = {assessing quality, Chihuahuan Desert, rangeland soils}, author = {Jeffrey E. Herrick and Walter G. Whitford} }