Sampling Vegetation Attributes - Natural Resources Conservation ...

INTRODUCTION
C. Guidelines The techniques described here are guides for establishing and sampling
vegetation attributes. They are not standards. Vegetation sampling techniques and
standards need to be based on management objectives. Techniques can be modified
or adjusted to fit specific resource situations or management objectives as long as the
principles of the technique are maintained. Before a modified technique is used, it
should be reviewed by agency monitoring coordinators, cooperators, and other qualified
individuals. A modified technique should be clearly identified and labeled as
“MODIFIED.” All modifications such as changes in quadrat size or transect layout
should be clearly documented each time the method is used.
D. Location of Study Sites Proper selection of study sites is critical to the
success of a monitoring program. Errors in making these selections can result in
irrelevant data and inappropriate management decisions.
The site selection process used should be documented. Documentation should
include the management objectives, the criteria used for selecting the sites, and the
kinds of comparisons or interpretations expected to be made from them.
Common locations for studies include critical areas and key areas. Some of the site
characteristics and other information that may be considered in the selection of study
sites are:
• Soil
• Vegetation (kinds and distribution of plants)
• Ecological sites
• Seral stage
• Topography
• Location of water, fences, and natural barriers
• Size of pasture
• Kind and/or class of forage animals—livestock, wildlife, wild horses, and wild burros
• Habits of the animals, including foraging
• Areas of animal concentration
• Location and extent of critical areas
• Erosion conditions
• Threatened, endangered, and sensitive species—both plant and animal
• Periods of animal use
• Grazing history
• Location of salt, mineral, and protein supplements
• Location of livestock, wildlife, wild horse, and/or wild burro trails
1. Critical Area Critical areas are areas that should be evaluated separately from
the remainder of a management unit because they contain special or unique
values. Critical areas could include fragile watersheds, sage grouse nesting grounds,
riparian areas, areas of critical environmental concern, etc.
2. Key Areas Key areas are indicator areas that are able to reflect what is happening
on a larger area as a result of on-the-ground management actions. A key area
should be a representative sample of a large stratum, such as a pasture, grazing
allotment, wildlife habitat area, herd management area, watershed area, etc.,
depending on the management objectives being addressed by the study. Key areas
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