Monitoring data must be interpreted and used to track progress toward objectives. This interpretation should be conducted by those directly involved in planning and implementing management. This includes the landowner or management agency and the on-the-ground people doing the management. For livestock grazing management, this includes the permittee or the cow-boss. Monitoring data can help identify linkages among conditions, objectives and management within the management unit. It can be used as evidence to support decisions to continue or modify existing management. Monitoring data can also be used to validate goals and objectives. To summarize, monitoring data are used to:

Consider the effects of management actions on resource and economic conditions and values.
Consider the effectiveness of management actions in achieving objectives within the planned timeframes.
Support management actions, or if necessary their modification.
Periodically review the validity of objectives.
Inform and educate resource managers for ongoing adaptive management.

Monitoring is an integral component of adaptive resource management and is not an end in itself. If monitoring data are not used for these purposes, rangeland managers are not managing properly. Successful management requires collection of high-quality monitoring data and appropriate interpretation of all data, including ancillary information (notes, photos, observations, etc.) within the context of the management unit.

Monitoring is an integral component of adaptive resource management

A curved measureing tape laying our the thalweg of possible water flow between hummocks in a meadow impacted by wild horse of livestock grazing. — Figure 43. For adaptive management to work, long-term monitoring must address risks, opportunities and objectives, while short-term monitoring must address strategies for management.

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) | Chapter 12 - Interpretation and Use of Monitoring Data, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, SP-18-03

Learn more about the author(s)

Gary McCuin

Barry Perryman

Brad Schultz

Sherman Swanson

Also of Interest:


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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
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

Nevada Rangeland Monitoring Handbook (3rd) | Chapter 12 - Interpretation and Use of Monitoring Data

Introduction
A Framework for Monitoring
Tools for Objectives
Resource Objectives
Adaptive Management
Triggers and Indicators
Monitoring Methods - General Considerations
Monitoring Methods - Short-Term or Implementation Monitoring
Monitoring Methods - Long-Term or Effectiveness Monitoring
Detecting Patterns of Vegetation Change Across a Landscape
Supplemental Techniques and Information
Developing a Cooperative Monitoring Plan
Interpretation and Use of Monitoring Data
Appendix A - Cooperative Monitoring
Appendix B - Ecological Sites
Appendix C - Weather Variability
Appendix D - Adaptive Management
Appendix E - Characteristics of Good Objectives
Appendix F - Scales in Monitoring
Appendix G - Remote Sensing to Monitor
Appendix H - Procedures for Selecting Key Areas & Species
Appendix I - Statistical Considerations
Appendix J - Use Mapping, Key Species Method & Proper Use
Appendix K - Monitoring Plan Forms
Appendix L - Glossary, Acronyms & Abbreviations
Appendix M - References

Consider the effects of management actions on resource and economic conditions and values.
Consider the effectiveness of management actions in achieving objectives within the planned timeframes.
Support management actions, or if necessary their modification.
Periodically review the validity of objectives.
Inform and educate resource managers for ongoing adaptive management.

Monitoring is an integral component of adaptive resource management

Published by: 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) | Chapter 12 - Interpretation and Use of Monitoring Data, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, SP-18-03