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Summary - Part 7

Adjacent to the research site, photopoint transects were set up for the purpose of long-term monitoring. Jim White, Rangeland Associates, detailed the process of setting up photo-point transects and the methodology for monitoring.

Here is a brief summary of Photopoint Monitoring

Photopoint Monitoring
By Jim White

One might say that it is even more important to determine the direction of trend in rangeland health than it is to quantify the state of health at any given time. Even if a grassland is currently very healthy, if it is deteriorating, it is likely a serious issue.

Historically in BC there has been little operational measurement of trend in rangeland health. Objective measurements have normally occurred only in areas where some kind of rangeland research project was being done.

Research level, quantifiable vegetation measurements repeated over time can be compared, and conclusions drawn as to the direction of movement in rangeland health. However, the techniques used in research tend to be slow (expensive), and require a fair amount of training (intimidating to many of us).

Photopoint monitoring is much quicker, and requires less training to achieve a usable product. It consists of establishing permanent markers that will allow taking identical, repeated pictures of the same piece of grassland over time. If pictures are compared from 3, 6 and 9 years ago with the current photos, one can get a very good impression of changes that are occurring on the landscape. The photos are also useful to illustrate to interested people what is happening on the land.

For lunch, the workshop convoy stopped on an island of crown range in the midst of Joiner’s deeded land for a bite to eat, a historical account of OK Ranch by Joiner and a presentation on sharp tailed grouse and forest encroachment by Ernest Leupin, biologist, Sharp-tailed grouse Stewardship Program.

Click here to learn more about Sharp-tailed Grouse

After the Saturday’s event, everyone headed back to Big Bar for one last supper together and a relaxing evening in front of the fireplace. Several participants stayed for the optional Sunday hike along a ridge that looked over Joiner’s Poison Lake.

The Healthy Grasslands Workshop provided another important opportunity for ranchers, conservation interests, government and First Nations to come together and discuss important grasslands issues in the grasslands. It shows how important it is for all grassland enthusiasts to return to the land we care so much about to re-discover our common ground and chart our future for the conservation and stewardship of BC’s grasslands.

Photos:
Paul Sanborn-Photopoint Transect

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