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Part 5: Setting Realistic Objectives and Goals
Ecological Site Inventory
An ecological site inventory is
a classification of land capability that designates a kind of rangeland.
Based on information gathered during a land survey, an ecological
site designation is determined.
An ecological site is
- Land that has specific physical characteristics distinct from
other kinds of land in its ability to produce distinguishing
types of plant communities and in its response to management.
- A designation that allows the land to be accurately assessed
for condition based on pre-established standards for a particular
type of land.
- Created by the interrelated development of soil, vegetation,
and water infiltration and runoff.
- Characterized by the relationship between species that differs
from that of other ecological sites regarding the kind and proportion
of species, or the total vegetative production possible for a
site.
- Directly influenced by the type and amount of herbivory including
types and numbers of grazers, and seasons and intensity of use.
- Distinguished by a characteristic fire regime including frequency
and intensity of fires.
The NRCS has developed ecological site descriptions for forestland
and rangeland. You can acquire this information from your extension
agent or other government official. Additionally, the term “ecological
site” is apparently synonymous with ecological type used
by the US Forest Service.
An ecological site inventory is the method approved
and accepted by the Bureau
of Land Management (BLM) for
rangeland vegetation/soil surveying and is based on processes and
techniques defined by the Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
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