|
Rangeland
Weed Management - Monitoring
& evaluation
Periodic observation
is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the weed management
plan. If management objectives are not being met, weed control actions
need to be modified. Without monitoring there is no way to determine
whether control actions are contributing to the fulfillment of management
objectives.
A monitoring
plan need not be elaborate. For example, a land manager can establish
photo-points to detect vegetation changes over time - a suitable
alternative, in some cases, to the more detailed monitoring and
evaluation strategies that make use of simple transects. County
Extension and NRCS
field offices can provide assistance in the use of transects
to monitor changes in vegetation.
Simple
Transects
One
effective strategy is to annually measure the size of an infestation
and to measure the average weed density using the following
simple transect procedure: |
|
|
The value of
the data collected grows year by year, permitting the manager to
spot trends in the infestation. Monitor protected areas frequently
to ensure that weed establish- ment is prevented. Every year, measure
small patches you’re managing for eradication and moderate-size
infestations you’re managing for reduction of size and density
and development toward a healthy plant community. If monitoring
demonstrates that the desired reduction in size and density is not
being achieved, modify your weed management plan.
|
Home