The following two forms can be copied and filled out, or used as a content guide for writing a narrative monitoring plan. They are intended to address the major decisions faced by rangeland managers as they determine what to monitor; where, when, and how; and who will take responsibility for which tasks. Form 1 focuses on one objective for the rangeland and it would be used as often as needed to address the many objectives in the management plan. Form 2 focuses on an individual study site. It too would be used as many times as needed to address all the study sites and all the short- and/or long-term (implementation and effectiveness) monitoring that will take place at each key area, critical area, photo point or designated monitoring area.

An important first step at a monitoring plot is to characterize the plot location and determine which of the possible ecological sites best represents the plot location among those that can occur in a soil map unit:

  1. Describe the location of the plot.
  2. Describe the topography of the plot.
  3. Describe the landscape unit and position.
  4. Dig a small soil pit and describe it.
  5. Determine soil map unit component and ecological site (Herrick et al. 2005b).

Monitoring Area Plan Form 1

Download the Monitoring Area Plan (Form 1) (fillable PDF)

Monitoring Area Plan Form 2

Download the Monitoring Area Plan (Form 2) (fillable PDF)

Swanson, S., Schultz, B., Novak-Echenique, P., Dyer, K., McCuin, G., Linebaugh, J., Perryman, P., Tueller, P., Jenkins, R., Scherrer, B., Vogel, T., Voth, D., Freese, M., Shane, R., McGowan, K. 2018, Nevada Rangeland Monitoring Handbook (3rd) || Appendix K - Monitoring Plan Forms, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, SP-18-03

Extension Associated Contacts

Gary McCuin
Gary McCuin
Barry Perryman
Barry Perryman
Brad Schultz
Brad Schultz
Sherman Swanson
Sherman Swanson
 

Also of Interest:

 
A Change in the Ecological Understanding of Rangelands in the Great Basin and Intermountain West and Implications for Management: Revisiting Mack and Thompson (1982) Perryman, P., Schultz, B., Meiman, P. 2021, Rangeland Ecology & Management Vol 76, Pages 1-11
Historical Fire and Ventenata dubia Invasion in a Temperate Grassland
Ventenata is an invasive annual grass that has rapidly expanded its range across temperate grassland and shrub-steppe ecosystems in western North America.
 Luke W. Ridder, JoAnna M.Perrena, Lesley R.Morris, Bryan A.Endress, Robert V.Taylord, Bridgett J.Naylore 2021, Rangeland Ecology & Management, Vol 75, March 2021, Pg. 35-40
Strategies for Grazing Management
Informational publication on various strategies for grazing management, such as targeted grazing, for fuel management, or with multiple grazing species.
 Swanson, S., Voth, D. 2019, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, IP-19-02
Firefighters with firetruck in the foreground; hillside on fire in the background
Up in smoke: University ecologists help firefighters protect Nevada's lands
Fires unleash devastating losses on Nevada ranches, grazing areas, and habitat. Each leaves Nevada lands more vulnerable to future fires. Knowing how to care for Nevada's land before and after disturbances is key to reducing wildland fire risk and repairing lands post-fire. This ...
 Andrews, A. 2019, Nevada Today
Nevada Rangeland Monitoring Handbook (3rd) - Introduction
This report was designed to provide a clear overview of the complex and often confusing world of rangeland monitoring. Included are a suite of short- and long-term monitoring methods.
 Swanson, S., Schultz, B., Novak-Echenique, P., Dyer, K., McCuin, G., Linebaugh, J., Perryman, P., Tueller, P., Jenkins, R., Scherrer, B., Vogel, T., Voth, D., Freese, M., Shane, R., McGowan, K. 2018, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, SP-18-03