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National ecosystem assessments supported by scientific and local knowledge
Author(s) -
Herrick Jeffrey E,
Lessard Veronica C,
Spaeth Kenneth E,
Shaver Patrick L,
Dayton Robert S,
Pyke David A,
Jolley Leonard,
Goebel J Jeffery
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
frontiers in ecology and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.918
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1540-9309
pISSN - 1540-9295
DOI - 10.1890/100017
Subject(s) - baseline (sea) , environmental resource management , land degradation , land management , land use , vegetation (pathology) , climate change , soil quality , ecosystem services , ecosystem , land use, land use change and forestry , environmental planning , environmental science , business , ecology , political science , soil science , medicine , pathology , soil water , law , biology
An understanding of the extent of land degradation and recovery is necessary to guide land‐use policy and management, yet currently available land‐quality assessments are widely known to be inadequate. Here, we present the results of the first statistically based application of a new approach to national assessments that integrates scientific and local knowledge. Qualitative observations completed at over 10 000 plots in the United States showed that while soil degradation remains an issue, loss of biotic integrity is more widespread. Quantitative soil and vegetation data collected at the same locations support the assessments and serve as a baseline for monitoring the effectiveness of policy and management initiatives, including responses to climate change. These results provide the information necessary to support strategic decisions by land managers and policy makers.