Interpreting and Measuring Indicators of Rangeland Health (000155)

Overview

The course presents a process for visualizing, assessing and communicating rangeland health, and for identifying potential challenges and opportunities.

• Biotic and abiotic indicators
• define the strengths and weaknesses of Clementsian succession
• Rangeland thresholds and health concepts
• Assessments tools at the local level
• Developing ecological site-specific Reference Sheets
• Includes assessment exercises at two field sites

Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

• Evaluate the soil stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity of a site based on assessment and interpretation of 17 qualitative indicators.
• Measure, calculate and interpret selected quantitative indicators to complement the qualitative assessment.
• Apply the results of the qualitative assessment together with the quantitative data to improve land management.

Prerequisites

Duration

3 ½ Days

Target Audience

Resource specialists from federal or state agencies, specifically field office resource specialists (rangeland management specialists, wildlife biologists, soil scientists, recreation specialists, etc.) with responsibilities for rangeland health assessments.

Classroom Information

Minimum enrollment is 15 and maximum is 40. Instruction is both classroom and field oriented and starts on Tuesday morning and ends Friday noon. The course is taught by the authors of the technical reference and others at the request of NRCS state offices. This course is offered at a location selected by the requesting state, so that the field exercises will be relevant to the students enrolled.

NEDC Contact

Stanley Sackeyfio, Training Specialist   

Technical Specialist

Pat Shaver

Enrollment

Go to AgLearn to request enrollment in Interpreting and Measuring Indicators of Rangeland Health (000155).