Long-term monitoring programs are viewed as key components for bringing together management organizations, researchers, and decision-makers to improve the management and health of natural resources. The development of long-term monitoring programs requires reviews of background and historical information to provide precise definitions of long-term objectives, planning considerations and monitoring procedures. Procedures need to be identified, during the planning process, that apply management standards to variable conditions encountered within natural ecosystems and that detect the timing of stable and degraded phases of stream ecosystem development following a disturbance. These procedures, and additional provisions, are essential for improved applications of management standards and perceived thresholds to dynamic stream and watershed ecosystems.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.