U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research: Lincoln, NE
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Plains Area Lincoln, Nebraska Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Mitchell, Robert

                                                         - *Rob*item
                                            Vogel, Kennethitem
                                            Schmer, Martyitem
                                            Vermeire, Lance
  Submitted to: Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts
                                    Publication Type: Abstract Only
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 9/30/2003
                                    Publication  Date: 2/1/2004
                                    Citation: Mitchell, R., Vogel, K.P., Schmer, M.R., Vermeire, L.T. 2004. The medical approach to grassland assessment. Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts. #259.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: The goal of most grassland assessment techniques is to quantify the ecological condition of an area, and evaluate the potential of the area to meet current management objectives and maintain long-term sustainability.  Often, this includes quantifying an existing problem to determine the best management practice to rectify the problem. This coincides closely with the diagnostic approach used in medicine. During a history and physical examination, the physician collects information on our complaints, social and personal history, and reviews our systems.  This information matrix is then used to identify potential problems, and more specific evaluations can be conducted to determine the cause of the complaints.  Management options to rectify the problem are then evaluated and selected based on risks and rewards to the patient.  We believe this same approach can be effectively applied to grassland management. The first step to implementing this approach is to identify assessment tools that rapidly and effectively quantify important grassland parameters.  Just as a full-body MRI is unnecessary to diagnose an ear infection, it is not necessary to clip numerous quadrats, separate by species, weigh, and determine species composition on a dry weight basis to quantify C4 grass invasion into a C3 grassland.  We have developed the grassland assessment tool (GAT) to rapidly evaluate the frequency of species or functional groups, and estimate standing crop in native and improved grasslands.  The GAT has been evaluated in Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana, and appears to have utility in numerous grassland systems.  Details of the tool and data from GAT scans of these grasslands will be presented.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov