NEON Intermountain Region Observatory Network (IRON)

Basin and Range, Steppe and Land Transition (BAR SALT)

Great Basin Integrated Landscape Monitoring (GBILM)

The following information comes from the USGS - Science for a Changing World website.

Study Description

Statement of Problem: Issue: We are living in a period of unprecedented change of the global environment. Patterns observed on the landscape result from both natural processes and policy, regulatory and management decisions of individual federal, state, county, and private organizations. Determining the impacts of natural processes and human actions, predicting their effects, and developing models and tools to evaluate different actions as expressed through changes in the landscape are critical to ensuring a sustainable future for all, both economically and ecologically.

Objectives: The Great Basin Integrated Landscape Monitoring Project (GBILM) is an interdisciplinary effort to address landscape-level monitoring issues in the Great Basin. It is one of four pilots that were selected to implement a USGS science thrust on Integrated Landscape Monitoring. The GBILM pilot is focused on reconciling local, site-specific actions and natural events with landscape-scale processes and functions in an effort to provide a monitoring capability at the landscape scale. Specifically, the goal of the GBILM is to develop and test a landscape-level monitoring approach in the Great Basin which integrates USGS disciplines, addresses priority partner agency management questions, utilizes existing monitoring data, evaluates change at the landscape scale, and contributes to development of landscape monitoring strategies.

Framework for Implementation: Each pilot project will establish an interdisciplinary team to include interested resource management agencies to address the following questions:
  • What are the forcing functions or key factors affecting landscape condition and change including, but not limited to, those factors perceived to influence nutrient cycling and biological communities (particular threatened & endangered species)?
  • What conservation, restoration, and remediation activities could be implemented to protect and improve the integrity and function of the landscape? What science is needed to support these efforts?
A copy of the most recent project plan is available at this link: Draft Project Plan.

Methodology: The questions will be pursued through the development of conceptual models that address each question from a hydrologic, biologic, geologic and geographic perspective. These perspectives will then be integrated to yield one conceptual model per pilot that depicts key factors of landscape change and their effects on the hydrology, biology, and geography of the landscape together with the identification of how potential management strategies may influence these effects.

Teams will identify existing data and monitoring (as well as gaps) needed to measure and evaluate the model and the priority management strategies. Indicators of change should be selected based on their sensitivity to change, cost, and their appropriateness in meeting management needs. A monitoring strategy will be developed to measure, evaluate, and assess the key indicators of landscape change. The monitoring strategy will include: questions addressed; sampling design (based on required sensitivity); methodology; anticipated analysis/analytic tools; data management; reporting strategy; and review schedule.

Various mechanisms will be employed (workshops, etc.) to compare and contrast the models and strategies developed by each pilot team with the intent that a conceptual model and monitoring strategy applicable across pilots (landscapes) could be developed.

Related Publications: Website - Great Basin Integrated Landscape Monitoring Project [Link], Kitchell, K.

Contact: Kitchell, Katherine - Deputy Center Director
Phone: 541-750-1033
Email: kkitchell@usgs.gov