Sampling and Statistical Analysis
Review of Monitoring Methods and Data Analysis for Owens Valley, California
Natural Resource Conservation LLC worked with the Ecological Society of America, Inyo County Water Department, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to synthesize vegetation sampling and analysis methods applicable to wetland and semi-arid habitats of Owens Valley, California. The synthesis included a state-of-the-science review of sampling strategies such as the number of transects required for detecting differences through time and ideas for designing adaptive management experiments to increase available information supporting management actions.
The Owens Valley is a dynamic riparian-upland landscape. Vegetation changes through time via both natural factors and management by humans. Effective ecological monitoring programs can detect change in resource condition with known reliability and provide information useful for management and conservation actions.
