Step 6 - Inventory, Monitoring, and Research Strategies

Inventory and research strategies fill data gaps and validate assumptions. If required information for the Framework, (e.g., population status, habitat condition) is incomplete or outdated, inventories or research may be needed to obtain the data (step 6(A)). Monitoring strategies are used to track the progress of conservation and restoration actions. Three types of monitoring generally apply to species assessments and Forest planning: implementation, effectiveness, and validation. Implementation or compliance monitoring ensures that management actions were implemented as planned, such as moving livestock before utilization exceeds a critical level. Effectiveness monitoring assesses the progress of management actions in attainment of desired conditions. Validation monitoring corroborates the assumptions made during evaluation and analysis and is important for determining if restoration activities result in desired population and habitat conditions.

Forest biologists in the Upper Salmon subbasin chose the PACFISH/INFISH Biological Opinion Effectiveness Monitoring Program (Kershner and others 2004) to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of their actions and best management practices in restoring and maintaining the structure and function of trout habitats at multiple landscape scales. In addition, periodic fish sampling surveys in specific subwatersheds monitored population responses to restoration activities, and results were aggregated across the subbasin to ascertain trends toward or away from desired condition for the planning area (step 6(B)). In our example, step 6(B) shows a movement away from the desired condition (Time 1) toward a less desired condition (Time 2). Research needs that emerged from the Framework process included developing a decision-support strategy for barrier removal and brook trout control.

For national forest plan revision, the Framework's inventory, monitoring, and research strategies would slip seamlessly into the monitoring program portion of the planning set of documents.