assessing ecological progress. Another objective in the RMP is to have perennial grass basal cover in more than 10% of all grassland areas. In 2004, 54% of sites monitored met this objective; in 2011, 34% met the criteria. This negative trend suggests that either management activities have not led to desired ecological outcomes, or that other factors besides management activities are determining the changes in ecological conditions.
Adjustments A handful of management interventions have been adjusted incrementally as a result of the stakeholder group reviewing and discussing data together. One example took place when the ranching lessee was surprised to find out that what he thought looked like good fodder for his cattle was not. Monitoring data showed that the perennial grasses that died over the winter were overgrown by annual plants during the summer. There was concern by a few range scientist experts that if the permittee carried out his original grazing plan, it would damage the land and his bottom line because there would not be enough food for the cows, since annual grasses would not last as long as perennial grasses. The group agreed that the permittee should not graze as many cattle on that particular allotment as he had proposed. (Kay 2012) Another specific management change that may result from data analysis and discussion has to do with restoration of the Cienega Creek riparian area. Livestock were fenced out of a riparian area with the hopes that it would help the ecosystem regain some of its natural functions. The vegetation grew back much faster than anticipated and the population of the endangered Gila topminnow living in the stream rapidly declined in response to the increase in shade. Karen Simms reflected, “we probably would have implemented taking the cattle off in more of a
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