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Where do qualitative assessments fit in an era of increasingly quantitative monitoring? Perspectives from Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health
Author
Lepak, N.
Newingham, B.A.
Kachergis, E.
Toledo, D.
Moffitt, J.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2022-02
Body

• Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health and other well-designed qualitative assessments are useful for understanding ecological function and can be used to prioritize areas for monitoring, restoration, or management changes. When completed by experienced, trained multidisciplinary teams, qualitative assessments provide reliable information about ecological processes and are repeatable across time and geographic locations. • Consistency and repeatability of qualitative assessments are maximized when the assessments are supported by appropriate quantitative indicator data. Likewise, quantitative datasets may be complemented by qualitative assessments, which can provide insight into indicators that are difficult to measure, providing a more complete view of vegetation, soils, and underlying ecological processes. • Qualitative assessments can be used as a communication tool for developing a common understanding of resource issues and a shared vision for, and commitment to future stewardship. • New opportunities are emerging to enable further integration of qualitative and quantitative field protocols, ecological models, and remotely sensed products to benefit rangeland assessment, monitoring, and management. © 2021 The Rangelands archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information.

Language
en
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1016/j.rala.2021.07.008
Additional Information
Nika Lepak, Beth A. Newingham, Emily Kachergis, David Toledo, and Jennifer Moffitt "Where do Qualitative Assessments Fit in an Era of Increasingly Quantitative Monitoring? Perspectives from Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health," Rangelands 44(1), 39-49, (8 March 2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2021.07.008
ISSN
0190-0528
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/675722
Journal Volume
Rangelands
Journal Number
44
Journal Pages
1
Collection
Rangelands
Journal Name
Rangelands
Keywords
attribute
land management
protocol
rangeland assessment
rangeland health
stakeholder
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