Indicator 10. Rangeland vegetation

1. Ukraine Polyana Workshop July 2018
Michael D. Owen, Aquatic Ecologist, Monongahela National Forest, USDA Forest Service
Indicator 10: Rangeland Vegetation

2. Indicator 10: Rangeland Vegetation
WATERSHED CONDITION INDICATORS
(12 Indicator Model)
5. RIPARIAN VEGETATION
1. Vegetation Condition
AQUATIC
PHYSICAL
(Weight = 30%)
12. FOREST HEALTH
1. Insects and Disease
2. Ozone
11. TERRESTRIAL
INVASIVE SPECIES
1. Extent & Rate of Spread
AQUATIC
BIOLOGICAL
(Weight = 30%)
TERRESTRIAL
PHYSICAL
(Weight = 30%)
TERRESTRIAL
BIOLOGICAL
(Weight = 10%)
4. AQUATIC BIOTA
1. Life Form Presence
2. Native Species
3. Exotic and/or Invasive
Species
6. ROADS & TRAILS
1. Open Road Density
2. Road Maintenance
3. Proximity to Water
4. Mass Wasting
9. FOREST COVER
1. Loss of Forest Cover
7. SOILS
1. Soil Productivity
2. Soil Erosion
3. Soil Contamination
1. WATER QUALITY
1. Impaired Waters
(303d Listed)
2. Water Quality Problems
(Not Listed)
2. WATER QUANTITY
1. Flow Characteristics
10. RANGELAND
VEGETATION
1. Vegetation Condition
8. FIRE REGIME or
WILDFIRE
1. Fire Condition Class
OR
2. Wildfire Effects
3. AQUATIC HABITAT
1. Habitat Fragmentation
2. Large Woody Debris
3. Channel Shape and
Function
Purpose:
To address effects to soil
and water related to the
vegetative health of
rangelands.
Rationale:
The status of rangeland
vegetation can affect soil
stability, hydrologic
function, and biological
diversity.

3. Indicator 10: Rangeland Vegetation
Attribute:
10.1 Native / Desirable Non-native Plant Composition
Additional Guidance:
• If rated “Not Applicable”, Forest Cover must be rated
• Use guidance and definitions found in Interpreting Indicators of
Rangeland Health (Pellant et al. 2005) to assist with this
evaluation

4. Indicator 10: Rangeland Vegetation
Condition Rating Functioning Properly (1) Functioning at Risk (2) Impaired Function (3)
Indicator 10
Rangeland
Vegetation
Reflect native or desired
nonnative plant
composition and cover at
near-natural levels as
defined by the site
potential.
Reflect native or desired
nonnative plant composition
and cover with slight to
moderate deviation
compared to natural levels
as defined by the site
potential.
Native or desired nonnative
plant composition and cover
are greatly reduced or
unacceptably altered
compared to natural levels as
defined by the site potential.
10.1 Native /
Desirable Non-
native Plant
Composition
Vegetation contributes to
soil condition, nutrient
cycling, and hydrologic
regimes at near-natural
levels; average annual plant
production equals or
exceeds 70% of production
potential; introduced plant
species are being managed
to facilitate long-term
replacement by site-
adapted native species.
Functional/structural groups
and number of species are
slightly to moderately
reduced; average annual
plant production is 40 to
69% of production potential;
introduced plant species are
being managed to facilitate
long-term replacement by
site-adapted native species
or to ensure adequate
ground cover to protect the
soil.
Functional/structural groups
and number of species are
moderately to greatly reduced
or altered relative to site
potential; average annual
plant production is <40% of
production potential;
introduced plant species are
dominant and are not effective
in protecting the site and soil.

5. Indicator 10: Rangeland Vegetation
• likelihood of watershed
impacts increases as the
average annual plant
production decreases
relative to the potential
• rated “not applicable” in
watersheds where no
rangelands occur
• Informed by rangeland
vegetation databases and
local knowledge
• Interdisciplinary team
review is encouraged

6. Indicator 10: Rangeland Vegetation

7. Indicator 10: Rangeland Vegetation
Condition Rating Functioning Properly (1) Functioning at Risk (2) Impaired Function (3)
Indicator 10
Rangeland
Vegetation
Reflect native or desired
nonnative plant
composition and cover at
near-natural levels as
defined by the site
potential.
Reflect native or desired
nonnative plant composition
and cover with slight to
moderate deviation
compared to natural levels
as defined by the site
potential.
Native or desired nonnative
plant composition and cover
are greatly reduced or
unacceptably altered
compared to natural levels as
defined by the site potential.
10.1 Native /
Desirable Non-
native Plant
Composition
Vegetation contributes to
soil condition, nutrient
cycling, and hydrologic
regimes at near-natural
levels; average annual plant
production equals or
exceeds 70% of production
potential; introduced plant
species are being managed
to facilitate long-term
replacement by site-
adapted native species.
Functional/structural groups
and number of species are
slightly to moderately
reduced; average annual
plant production is 40 to
69% of production potential;
introduced plant species are
being managed to facilitate
long-term replacement by
site-adapted native species
or to ensure adequate
ground cover to protect the
soil.
Functional/structural groups
and number of species are
moderately to greatly reduced
or altered relative to site
potential; average annual
plant production is <40% of
production potential;
introduced plant species are
dominant and are not effective
in protecting the site and soil.