1993 Annual Report for AW93-012
Range Monitoring in the Upper Stony Creek Watershed
Summary
Objectives
1. Document the effect of grazing systems and resulting stocking densities on annual rangeland ecology by monitoring changes over time in ground cover, canopy cover, soil bulk density, target plant density, residual dry matter, grazing intensity, infiltration rates and interrill erosion.
2. Determine the impact of grazing systems and resulting stocking densities on the riparian profile and vegetation by monitoring changes over time in streambank vegetation density and canopy cover with elevation transects of riparian above and below check dams. This detailed monitoring will provide data on the impacts of land management practices in the watershed which will validate or indicate the inadequacies of a simpler level of monitoring. The second level of monitoring is in fact simple, practical and economical so that landowners can take on the task of monitoring their own rangeland.
3. To develop, demonstrate and achieve rancher adoption of procedures by which they can and will monitor progress or lack of progress toward meeting their production and landscape goals.
Abstract of Results
The Glenn and Colusa Resource Conservation Districts initiated a major PL-566 project involving an entire watershed on private lands. Objectives of the project were to be met by individual ranch practices such as controlled grazing, brush management, stock water development and riparian check dam construction. To date $527,000 has been paid out to landowners for cost sharing on approved practices. Unfortunately, no specific funding for monitoring was included in the PL-566 watershed project.
This SARE/ACE grant encompassed two levels of monitoring within the watershed. The first level of monitoring was detailed, annual and designed for statistical analysis. While this level of monitoring was not able to detect significant change due to grazing regimes in the watershed, it did provide valuable information and experience for evaluating monitoring methods and establishing a simpler monitoring method. The second level of monitoring was developed to be simple, practical and economical so that landowners can take on the task of monitoring their own rangeland. In cooperation with seven other University of California Cooperative Extension Advisors a "hands-on" handbook on how to monitor rangeland-Level 1 was developed. Level 1 instructs landowners on how to monitor range sites with a camera. Our experience with the Upper Stony Creek Watershed Project provided guidance for evaluating text and creating illustrations for Level 1. With funding support from the California Cattlemen’s Association, a 12-minute video was developed based on the How to Monitor Handbook to encourage and demonstrate photo monitoring. Nineteen landowners in the Upper Stony Creek Watershed were provided the How to Monitor Handbook and a disposable camera. They were also assisted in established permanent photo monitoring points. Landowners in the watershed also attended a 5-day short-course on ranch planning and monitoring.
The significance of developing the How to Monitor Handbook has been demonstrated by the overwhelming response. To date over 400 manuals and 80 videotapes have been distributed throughout California, the western United States, Canada and Australia. In addition to providing University of California extension advisors and Natural Resource Conservation District Personnel with monitoring curriculum, several other states are interested in using the information presented in How to Monitor. The handbook and videos have been used in teaching curriculum at Oregon State University. The handbook was also used in a course outline for the University of South Dakota’s satellite cow/calf operator program.
How to Monitor- Level II was developed to instruct on more specific monitoring methods for collecting data on vegetation cover, utilization, residual dry matter, water quality and wildlife. Monitoring methodology on vegetation cover for the Level II handbook was developed and field tested in conjunction with the Upper Stony Creek Watershed Project. In addition, information for a riparian profile monitoring study in this project was developed into a case study for the How to Monitor Handbook- Level II. How to Monitor- Level II is currently being published and will be ready for distribution in January 1997. There are already numerous requests throughout the western United States for this publication.
Site Information
The Upper Stony Creek Watershed is located about 120 miles north of San Francisco on the eastern side of California’s Inner Coast Range within Glenn and Colusa Counties. The watershed averages about 25 miles in length and 15 miles in width. It includes approximately 243,200 acres. Over half of the watershed is part of the Mendocino National Forest. About one-third of the watershed is in private ownership (75,300 acres), most of which is located in the eastern part of the watershed. The land in private land ownership was the target of the PL-566 project and this monitoring project.
Dissemination of Findings
The significance of developing the How to Monitor Handbook has been demonstrated by the overwhelming response. How to Monitor- Level 1 was advertised quickly by word-of-mouth and with articles in the following publications: National Cattlemen’s Magazine, California Cattlemen’s Magazine, California Farmer, Beef Today, Society of Range Management-Trail Boss, Farm Bureau-Ag Alert and Pasture Notes. The advertisement also was distributed via electronic mail on GrazeL, a network list of those interested in grazing management. To date over 400 manuals and 80 videotapes have been distributed throughout California, the western United States, Canada and Australia. The video-Level 1 was used in April 1995 as part of a national telecast of the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Land Stewardship Short-Course.
In addition to providing University of California extension advisors and Natural Resource Conservation District Personnel with monitoring curriculum, several other states are interested in using the information presented in How to Monitor. The handbook and videos have been used in teaching curriculum at Oregon State University. The handbook was also used a course outline for the University of South Dakota’s satellite cow/calf operator program.
Potential Contributions
In recent years, ranchers have been encouraged agency and university personnel to monitor conditions on their private and public rangelands. Concerns about the impact of livestock grazing on Endangered Species and water quality have lead to field discussions that are based on little or no data regarding vegetation and wildlife trends on grazed lands. In addition, public funding to provide cost sharing for range improvement practice like those promoted by the PL-566 Upper Stony Creek Watershed Project have been doled out with no "on the ground" monitoring set in place to determine if the practices are effective. Today many rancher understand and appreciate the need for rangeland monitoring, but feel it is a complex process. Since prior to developing How to Monitor- Level 1, no simplified, complete "hands on" manual existed on monitoring, ranchers were reluctant to implement a monitoring program on their range sites.
Our efforts and experience in the Upper Stony Creek Watershed Monitoring Project were instrumental in the development of the How to Monitor Handbook- Level 1 and Level II and two videos illustrating monitoring techniques.
Producer Adoption
Twenty-five landowners have participated in cost-share plans for land treatment practices in this watershed. Through the Upper Stony Creek Watershed Monitoring Project 19 landowners have been provided with information, materials and assistance in developing a monitoring program on their ranch.
Our detailed monitoring activities in the watershed resulted in changing the monitoring method being promoted for vegetation cover to a method that was more effective and more likely to be adopted by landowners.
The distribution of over 400 How to Monitor Handbooks throughout the western United States and Internationally will help many other ranchers and landowners begin monitoring programs on their range sites.
Reported in 1997