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ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #151806
Title: SUSTAINABLE RANGELANDS ROUNDTABLE (SRR) CRITERION: CONSERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PLANT AND ANIMAL RESOURCES ON RANGELANDS

Author
item FOX, WILLIAM - TEXAS A&M UNIV
item Heitschmidt, Rodney
item JOYCE, LINDA - USDA FOREST SERVICE

Submitted to: International Rangeland Congress
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/12/2002
Publication Date: 7/1/2003
Citation: FOX, W.E., HEITSCHMIDT, R.K., JOYCE, L. SUSTAINABLE RANGELANDS ROUNDTABLE (SRR) CRITERION: CONSERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PLANT AND ANIMAL RESOURCES ON RANGELANDS. INTERNATIONAL RANGELAND CONGRESS. 2003. p. 1955-1957.

Interpretive Summary: Ten variables that can be used to assess the status, health, and long-term sustainability of United States rangelands are presented. Indicators are: 1) extent of land area in rangeland; 2) integrity of fire regimes; 3) extent and condition of riparian systems; 4) extent of wetlands; 5) extent of community types; 6) extent of fragmentation; 7) density of roads and rural structures; 8) extent of invasive/non-native plant species; 9) status of threatened species and communities; and 10) status and range of key representative species. Detailed descriptions of each indicator are provided.

Technical Abstract: Members of Conservation and Maintenance of Plant and Animal Resources criterion group of the Sustainable Rangeland Roundtable, identified 10 indicators for assessing and monitoring the sustainability of United States rangeland plant and animal resources. Indicators are: 1) extent of land area in rangeland; 2) integrity of fire regimes; 3) extent and condition of riparian systems; 4) extent of wetlands; 5) extent of community types; 6) extent of fragmentation; 7) density of roads and rural structures; 8) extent of invasive/non-native plant species; 9) status of threatened species and communities; and 10) status and range of key representative species. Detailed descriptions of each indicator are provided.