Introducing version 5 of Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health

TitleIntroducing version 5 of Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsPellant M., Shaver P.L, Pyke D.A., Herrick JE, Busby F., Riegel G, Lepak N, Toledo DP, Newington B, Kachergis E
Conference NameSociety for Range Management Meeting
VolumeJanuary 28-February 2, 2018
Date Published01/28/2018
PublisherSociety for Range Management Meeting Proceedings
Conference LocationReno, NV
ARIS Log Number350486
Abstract

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health was initiated in 1994 as a qualitative, rapid assessment technique to evaluate rangeland health. Seventeen field indicators are used to rate three attributes of rangeland health: 1) soil/site stability, 2) hydrologic function, and 3) biotic integrity. The published versions of this protocol are version 3 (2000) and version 4 (2005).  Version 5 represents a continuing effort by an interagency cadre to improve the use of and consistency of results when using this protocol. The revision improves the development or modification of reference sheets and clarifies that the reference for conducting evaluations is the natural range of variability within the natural disturbance regime of the reference state. More emphasis is also placed on the functional/structural worksheet in conducting evaluations. This revision also supports linking qualitative and quantitative measurements, where quantitative measurements may also be used for baseline monitoring. A provisional copy of version 5 will be posted online and field-tested in 2018. Input from field tests will be incorporated into the published technical reference available in early 2019.