ABSTRACT

This chapter offers techniques for improving and expanding the implementation of monitoring and adaptive management in the restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem. It defines monitoring within the context of adaptive management and describes how to determine the appropriate level of monitoring. The chapter presents a generalized framework for implementation of monitoring and adaptive management to improve restoration decision making. It provides guidance on the development of a monitoring design and outlines the key components of effective restoration plans and monitoring protocols. Using restoration and management case studies chapter illustrates different goals, methods, and lessons learned. It describes the importance of monitoring restoration within the context of a changing and uncertain future. One of the primary outcomes of the Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA) was the development and implementation of standard survey and monitoring methods for gopher tortoise populations using line-transect distance sampling with burrow scoping to determine occupancy.