Using Repeat Photography as a Tool to Monitor Rangelands

Abstract

In many situations land managers have recollections or anecdotes about an area such as, “This pasture used to produce more grass” but do not have data to backup these statements. Repeat photography is a simple and relatively quick way to monitor rangelands. Repeat photography can illustrate changes over space and time for rangeland attributes like plant growth, species composition, total plant cover, litter, spatial arrangement of plants, and soil erosion. These are all important attributes that can be related to grazing management practices, fire, drought, precipitation, and other environmental variables. When it comes to convincing others that management practices are improving the landscape, a series of photographs taken at the same location through the years can vividly demonstrate change on the range. It is especially important to document change when people may have the historical context of the landscape.