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Study Areas & Range Trend Data |
Range Trend Methods |
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Problem and Need
The ability to detect changes in vegetation
composition (range trend) on big game winter ranges
is an important part of the Division's big game
management program. The health and vigor of big game
populations are closely correlated to the quality
and quantity of forage in key areas.
The majority of the permanent range trend studies
are located on deer and elk winter ranges. However,
on certain management units, studies are located on
spring and/or summer ranges if vegetation
composition on these ranges is the limiting factor
for big game populations. Range trend data are used
by wildlife biologists and other land managers for
habitat improvement planning purposes, reviewing BLM
and USFS allotment management plans, and as one of
several soucres of information for revising deer and
elk herd management plans.
Funding
The Division's Range Trend Program is
primarily funded by Pittman-Robertson federal aid
dollars through Federal Aid Grant W-82-R, Wildlife
Habitat Monitoring/ Range Trend Studies. In
addition, several state and federal agencies act as
funding cooperators to the project. These are the
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah Department
of Agriculture and Food, Bureau of Land Management,
and U.S. Forest Service.
Objective
Monitor, evaluate, and report range trend at
designated key areas throughout the state, and
inform Division biologists, public land managers,
and private landowners of significant changes in
plant community composition in these areas.
Expected Results and Benefits
Range trend studies in each region are
resurveyed every five years, and vegetation
condition and trend assessments will be made for key
areas. DWR biologists, land management personnel
from the USFS and BLM, and private landowners will
use the range trend database to evaluate the impact
of land management programs on big game habitat.
Special studies (habitat project monitoring and big
game/livestock forage utilization studies) will give
DWR biologists and public land managers additional
information to address local resource management
problems. Annual reports will be readily available
in hard copies and on CD-ROM located in DWR regional
offices, BLM and USFS offices, and public libraries.
Range trend data will also be available on the
Division's web site.
Contact Information
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Range Trend Project
Forest Service Shrub Sciences Laboratory
735 N. 500 E.
Provo, UT 84606
