Using Multiple Indicator Monitoring Protocols

What is MIM Streambank Alteration?

 The number of lines on the plot that intercept hoof prints, hoof shears – disturbances caused by trampling.

 5 lines per frame – one sample  At least 80 samples per site – total of 400+ lines  % Streambank Alteration = the proportion of the 400+ lines that intercept hoof prints/shears

MIM Bank Alteration

80+ plots 400 Samples

Hoof Print & Hoof Shear Dimensions 

Average width

= 120.8 mm 

Average length

=171.8 mm

120 mm 230mm

Bank Shear and Tramples

Why use a simple intercept method?

 Simple = more efficient  Simple = better agreement among observers

Variability Among Observers – Various methods

 GLP: SD = 4.7, CV = 56  GL : SD = 6.3, CV = 20  BF: SD = 8.1, CV = 35 Heitke et.al. 2008  MIM (35 tests): SD = 4.3 , CV = 22.7

MIM estimates length of greenline altered:

MIM: 4 “Hits” = 80% LENGTH OF GREENLINE (within 1 hoof print ) altered = 90% AREA OF PLOT altered = 60%

Typically the vegetated side of the greenline has fewer alterations

Simultation using actual hoof print dimensions

Results

• High Regression Coefficient • 1:1 relationship (.91 X MIM) • Lower Regression Coefficient • 1:3 Relationship (.32 X MIM): •MIM 20% - AREA 10% •MIM 40% - AREA 16% •MIM 60% - AREA 23%

Proper Use of Bank Alteration

 As a short-term indicator of disturbance effects on bank stability and vegetation  Any value assigned as a trigger to move livestock or as a measure of grazing use is a

“guideline”

which must be able to change through time (See Cowley 2002)  Thus a “Term and Condition” should incorporate an adaptive process.

Bank Alteration and Bank Stability

Hartrig g er C reek

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 2004 2005 2006 2007

Ye a r

2008 B ank A lteration B ank S tability 2009 2010

Christopher Christie photo 2008 Sept. 2008

Bank alteration: 24% Bank stability:

51

%

June 2009

Bank alteration: 4% Bank stability:

67% October 2009

Bank alteration:1% Bank stability:

70%

EF Deer Creek

Dominant Vegetation POPR – 65% MFE – 22% JUBA – 12% SCMI – 3% % Hydric – 19% June 2009

Nick Stiner, Malheur NF – Fall 2009

Cowley 2002 – Lit Summary

   “Little research data is available concerning the amount of streambank alteration that a stream can tolerate and repair each year.” “Each of the authors mentioned above recognizes the ability of streams to repair a certain amount of bank alteration” “The further a streambank is from the desired future condition, the less additional alteration it can tolerate and still recover to a stable level.”

Amount of Alteration that streambanks can repair annually depends upon:        Stream gradient Streambed material composition, Streambank soil composition, Vegetation cover and type Channel geometry, Flow rate and timing, and “. . . concentrated impacts under rotation systems can cause sufficient woody plant or streambank damage in a single season or year that recovery might take several years. Therefore, the best approach is to limit grazing stress to the site’s capability for annual recovery .”

(Clary and Kruse 2004)

A Rational Approach to Bank Alteration Criteria and Standards  Existing Condition: Compare existing condition to a reference (best method)  Bank Stability (%):  Bank Cover (%):  Hydric herbaceous vegetation (%) ○ (closer these are to reference the higher the allowable level of bank alteration)  Channel Type:  >gradient = higher allowable level  > particle sizes = higher allowable level

The Confidence Interval

   Any criteria requires consideration of the precision of the measurement. CI for Streambank Alteration  32 tests ○ Maximum – 11% ○ ○ Minimum - .5% Average – 6% Using the CI:    Set trigger at allowable level minus 6% Set standard at allowable level plus 6% e.g. If allowable level is 20%, trigger might be set at 14%, and term and condition set at 26%.