Download Connection between Grazing, Riparian Proper Functioning Condition, Management, Objectives and Monitoring (33 MB)

Connections Between
Grazing
Riparian Proper Functioning Condition
Management Objectives
Monitoring
Use of PFC
• Helps identify some objectives
• May help focus/reduce monitoring
PFC is the minimum condition required for
sustaining resource production.
Natural Riparian Resources
Resources
Vegetation
Soil, Landscape
Water
Water
Proper Functioning Condition
Adequate vegetation, landform or large
woody debris present to:
to:
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Dissipate
Dissipate stream energy
energy
Reduce Erosion
Filter sediment
Capture bedload
Aid floodplain development
Improve floodwater
retention and groundwater
recharge
Develop root masses that
stabilize streambanks
T
O
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P
R
O
V
I
D
E
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Improved water
quality
Diverse ponding
and channel
characteristics
Habitat for fish &
wildlife production
Greater biodiversity
Functional - At Risk
Risk
Riparian-Wetland Areas in
Functional Condition (partially)
However an existing attribute
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•
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Soil
Water
Vegetation
Makes them susceptible to
degradation
Nonfunctioning
Areas that are clearly not
providing adequate vegetation,
landform, or large woody debris
To:
• Dissipate stream energy
• Improve floodwater retention & groundwater
recharge
• Stabilize streambanks
• And other characteristics common to PFC
PROPER FUNCTIONING RIPARIAN AREA
Grazing
Herbivory
Hoof Action
Plant
Physiological
Health
Mechanical
Damage to
Plants
Soil/Plant Displacement
Compaction
RESPONSE
Vigor (Health):
recovery greater than or equal to
initial negative response
Site Modification:
recovery greater than or equal to
initial negative response
Recruitment:
positive
Herbivory
Plant
Physiological
Health
Hoof Action
Mechanical
Damage to
Plants
Soil/Plant Displacement
Compaction
RESPONSE
RESPONSE
Vigor (Health): negative /
negative response
Site Modification:
negative /
initial negative response
Recruitment:
recovery less than initial
recovery less than
negative
NEGATIVE CHANGE
NEGATIVE CHANGE IN
Community Composition
Community Distribution
Diversity
Rooting Characteristics
Amount (bare ground vs vegetated as well as production)
Greater Erosion/Deposition
At Risk
Change Channel Geomorphology
Site Alteration/Less Soil Moisture
Off-site Impacts
+/- water,++/- sediment
NEGATIVE CHANGE IN
Community Composition
Community Distribution
Diversity
Rooting Characteristics
Amount (bare ground vs vegetated as well as production)
Greater Erosion/Deposition
At Risk
Change Channel Geomorphology
Site Alteration/Less Soil Moisture
Lateral/Vertical Stability
Off-site Impacts
+/- water,++/- sediment
Loss of Riparian Area
NON-FUNCTIONAL
PROPER FUNCTIONING RIPARIAN AREA
Grazing
Herbivory
Hoof Action
Plant
Physiological
Health
Mechanical
Damage to
Plants
Soil/Plant Displacement
Compaction
Response
Vigor (Health):
recovery greater than or equal to
initial negative response
Site Modification:
recovery greater than or equal to
initial negative response
Recruitment:
positive
NEGATIVE CHANGE IN
Community Composition
Community Distribution
Diversity
Rooting Characteristics
Amount (bare ground vs vegetated as well as production)
Greater Erosion/Depo
sition
Erosion/Deposit
ion
At Risk
Change Channel Geomorphology
Site Alteration/Less Soil Moisture
Lateral/Vertical Stability
Off-site Impacts
+/- water,++/- sediment
Loss of Riparian Area
NON-FUNCTIONAL
PFC
• Identifies most of the responses that might
be associated with grazing
• SHOULD BE AN OBJECTIVE
• Other assessment components may need to
be measured (monitored) to see if
progressing toward or maintaining PFC
Responses of Hydrology and Soil Erosion/Deposition Components Often Predicated by Changes in Vegetation
• Kind of plants
• Proportion of plants
• Amount of plants
Sufficient to provide lateral/vertical stability
in a relatively high hydrologic event.
Kind of Plants
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•
•
•
Most broad leaf sedges, especially with
Most willows and other woody vegetation
Many rushes
A few grasses & forbs
Root Length
0 to 4 in
4 to 8 in
8 to 12 in
12 to 16 in
25
20
M
i 15
l
e 10
s
5
0
Nebraska
Sedge
Baltic Rush
Douglas
Sedge
Nevada
Bluegrass
Column of soil
12"X12"X16"
Manning, M.E., et al, 1989
Proportion of Plants
Generally greater than 25% composition of
right kinds should be dominant/co-dominant
in community types
(refer to local classifications)
Amount of Plants or Plant Communities (Generally)
Stable communities + anchored rocks/logs
=
80 - 95 % channel/shoreline length
Channel Stability Rating (Vegetation)
(Vegetation)
Adequate Root
Strength
Coyote Willow
Anchored Rock
Baltic Rush
Bluegrass
Beaked Sedge
Willow-Bluegrass
Willow-Sedge
Bare Ground
0
2
4
6
Relative Stability Class
8
10
Winward 1999
Appendix B
Monitoring the Vegetation Resources in Riparian Areas by Winward 1999
• Will provide one set of recommended
protocols to address all these components
• Others can be used