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A main purpose of this document i s to review the status of monitoring rangelands in the U.S. T o do so. we review and critique existing approaches and suggest the root reasons why those outside our profession distrust the traditional approaches . We also outline the promise of new ideas (e.g., landscape ecology. multiple stable states. kinetic theories of succession) and new technology (e.g., remote sensing. geographic information systems. global positioning systems) for improving rangeland monitor- ing . We also redefine some critical terms . Finally. we propose a framework for examining the adequacy of existing approaches anddeveloping new improved means of monitoring the integrity of rangeland ecosystems . We offer. however. no "cookbook" procedures because our fundamental tenet i s that optimum monitoring . will have to be tailored to meet local objectives and environments .