Setting the stage for how we got here and why we are here… SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND FOR SOIL MONITORING ON NATIONAL FORESTS AND RANGELANDS Setting the stage for how we got here and why we are here… Sharon DeHart Former R1 Soils Program Manager Current Assistant Director Forest Service Job Corps

Timeline  1991 – Dan Neary

Timeline  1994 – Carl Trettin

Timeline  1995 – Marty Jurgensen

Dakota Prairie Grasslands  1999 – Arrived at the Dakota Prairie Grasslands No completed mapping No completed mapping No monitoring program No monitoring program Writing of Grasslands Management Plan Writing of Grasslands Management Plan

Help Is On The Way  Iron Springs  2001 Fire  Magpie Creek  Space Aliens

Region 1 Soil Program Manager  In 2001 there are no significant lawsuits pending.  Work on monitoring in Region 1

National Soil Scientist Meeting 2001  Randy runs off to the Hill  Meredith Webster: Soils/BAER  Washington, DC breaks the heat record

Lawsuits  The public begins suing the FS over soil productivity issues because we cannot document: that 15% areal extent is really where productivity declines that 15% areal extent is really where productivity declines that a 15% increase in bulk density is where tree growth is limited that a 15% increase in bulk density is where tree growth is limited that we have been to each unit that we have been to each unit that out sampling protocol is correct that out sampling protocol is correct that our sampling protocol is statistically valid that our sampling protocol is statistically valid blanket standards for disparate soil conditions blanket standards for disparate soil conditions

 Conducted a Region 1-wide study on the best monitoring methods to use for post- fire salvage logging.  Those monitoring methods were melded with the work Steve Howes had started in Region 6.  Jim Keys and Randy Davis found funds to develop a protocol so that soils would be recognized as a resource.

2005  R1 Regional Forester Gail Kimbell requested assistance from R & D, Universities, BC Ministry of Forests, and NFS to develop a plan to help reduce the number of lawsuits dealing with soils issues.  We included Timber and Range, Forest Engineers, Intermountain Forest Tree Nutrition Cooperative, R4, R6, R8, FIA

2006  Developed a easy, cost-effective, statistically defensible, protocol that ties into Region 6 and BC Ministry of Forests assessments  Made sure we were developing and maintaining a common language

2007   Work began on a Field Guide to Soil Disturbance – From a proposal by Steve Howes and Jeff TenPas Carolyn Napper at San Dimas lead the effort to go to every Region in the FS to get pictures of soil disturbance   Steve Howes, Dick Miller, et al. working on a Risk Rating System   Steve Howes submitted a proposal to have San Dimas develop a standardized curriculum   Tom Rice, Emmanuel Hudson/Darrius Truss (R8) and Randy Davis – working on a standardized database for soil monitoring data   R & D continuing work on validation

2008  Needed to ensure that we have the state-of-the- knowledge on soil monitoring, soil productivity, and soil quality

What did the pebble say to the big rock? Someday do you think I’ll be a little boulder?