On The Ground • Ecological Site Descriptions (ESDs) and underlying state-and-transition models are part of a move toward a more dynamic platform of range management, but this movement is happening without evaluation of weaknesses or logical pitfalls in the ESD database. • We conducted a national-scale evaluation of the ESD database and in this paper summarize the results with particular attention on the implementation of the state-and-transition model concept within the ESD database. • We discuss the weaknesses and logical holes we identified and provide recommendations that can be used to organize efforts to improve, adapt, or discard certain elements of ESD state-and-transition Models.

On the Ground • Parker Three-Step data that exist on many US Forest Service allotments may be the only remaining, truly long-term vegetation and soil data available. Although Parker Three-Step procedures have been abandoned on many Forest Service districts, the historical insight they provide may be worth revisiting for management purposes. • The Parker photos that accompany the transect data may be of more value than the data. • Long-term vegetation records in Coyote Flat reveal the range to remain generally in fair condition since at least 1931, despite large reductions in livestock numbers, drastically shortened season of use, and 7 years of rest out of the last 13 grazing seasons. • The correlation and interaction between reduced grazing pressure and ecological condition on high-elevation mountain meadow ecosystems, particularly as revealed by Parker Three-Step data, is not always intuitive or linear.