Reference Sheet Development

1
Reference Sheet Development

• Functional and Structural Groups
• What are the Criteria for Groups?
• Inappropriate Groups
• Priorities
• Lumping and Splitting
• Reference Descriptions
• Remaining Indicators
• Discussions and Exercises

2
Reference Sheet Development

• Must develop Reference State descriptions for
  each indicator, if they are not available
• Done with a group of experts
• Have knowledge of the ecological site
• Include multiple disciplines, multiple agencies,
  academics, ranchers and interested NGOs
• Compile all resources
• Ecological site descriptions, soil surveys, maps,
  photos, scientific publications, etc.

3
Functional and Structural Groups

• Begin here
• Most people are familiar with dominant plants
• Lays groundwork for understanding other
  indicators
• Why use F/S groups not species?
• Several species on an ecological site may fill a
  similar functional or structural role.
• Dominance order of the group is important

4
What are criteria for F/S Groups?

• Functional Groups
• Life Cycle (History) Phenology
• Annual or Perennial
• Early vs. Late-season growth
• Photosynthetic Pathways
• C3, C4 or CAM
• Nitrogen-fixing ability

5
What are criteria for F/S Groups?

• Structure
• Growth Form
• Tree, shrub, forb, graminoid, succulent, vine
• Tall, Short
• Rooting form for forbs (tap vs. fibrous)
• Clonal form (rhizomatous vs. bunchgrass)
• Biological Soil Crusts

6
Inappropriate Functional and Structural Grouping
Criteria

• Palatability
• Relates to an animals preference not F/S
• Color of foliage or flowers
• Does not impact F/S groups
• Origin
• Native or Introduced not F/S groups

7
Suggested Priorities for Groups

• Structure
• List major growth forms (tree, shrub, grass)
• Can subdivide using height groups (tall vs.
  short)
• Function
• Annual vs. Perennial (on most ecological sites
  perennials will dominate)
• Photosynthetic Pathways
• Most sites C3 vs C4 grasses
• Nitrogen-fixing
• Phenology (early vs. late season)

8
Lumping and Splitting

• Consider plant communities in alternative states
  vs. the reference state.
• Represent the major F/S groups that can dominate
  the site in reference state and any alternative
  states.
• Are there F/S groups that will never dominate?
• If so, consider lumping them with other group
• Retain important subdominant groups (e.g. forbs)
• Do not have single species F/S group
• Exception If it will likely dominate the site

9
F/S Reference Description

• Dominant gt 40 composition
• Subdominant 11 40 composition
• Minor lt 11 composition
• Describe groups that will be dominant and
  subdominant in the reference state and under what
  conditions might they change dominance and remain
  within the reference state
• Example Sage grass co-dominate without fire
  and grass dominates with recent fire.

10
The Other Indicators

• Annual Production (Indicator 15)
• Lbs/acre ranging from drought to wet years.
• Order of the remainder is your choice.

11
Sandy Ecological Site