Part 8: Getting Started: Designating Study Locations, Photography, and Precipitation

Keeping Photographic Records

You have determined your management objectives, the goals for your ranching business, and decisions related to achieving your objectives and goals. You will now learn how to collect data for your monitoring program.

Repeat photography is a simple and relatively quick way to monitor rangelands. A properly located photo point can reveal changes over time in important rangeland attributes such as plant growth, species composition, and ground cover. Photos should be taken from the same location (photo point) at approximately the same time (and at the same plant growth stage) each year. You should keep complete photographic records of all data collection sites whether you conduct minimal, recommended, or comprehensive monitoring.

Camera

Any good 35 mm or digital camera will work great for taking general view or close-up photos of your ranch. Be sure you have plenty of film if using a 35 mm camera, and enough battery power for either type of camera. Also, practice using your camera before you go out to the field so you are sure to obtain quality photos.