Monitoring data provide useful information to assist in making management decisions. Analysis converts data into useful information, which can then be communicated via reporting. To get started with your analysis, follow the outline below and steps in Figure 1 for both lotic and terrestrial data analysis:
- Prepare for analysis by determining your questions, gathering needed data, and determining which kind of analysis or analyses are appropriate (see below).
- Orient yourself to general AIM analysis
- Familiarize yourself with the terms used in analysis. Specifically, learn about different kinds of analyses that can be done with AIM data: plot/reach specific, unweighted, and/or weighted. Note these three types of analysis are not mutually exclusive.
- Check out examples of AIM data in use from other BLM offices.
- Review and download available datasets for your location and tools used in analysis, particularly the Lotic and Terrestrial Benchmark Tools.
- Conduct your analysis using the Benchmark Tool. If a weighted analysis is desired, please contact Alex Laurence-Traynor for terrestrial (alaurencetraynor@blm.gov), Nicole Cappuccio for lotic (ncappuccio@blm.gov), or Anthony Titolo for sage-grouse HAF requests (atitolo@blm.gov).
- Interpret your results to determine if management goals have or have not been met.
- Use analysis products in grazing permit authorizations, NEPA documents, land use plans, etc.
- Conduct ancillary analyses and additional monitoring as needed. See the “What is next: Project evolution” section of the Interpreting the Results page for examples.
Figure 1. Analysis and Reporting Workflow