Characterization of Relict Communities For Monitoring Park Ecosystems in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Abstract

Grazing by domestic livestock is authorized on the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and occurs on about 80% of the NRA lands. Concern over competing land uses has generated considerable interest in the direct and indirect effects of grazing on community structure and function (Kleiner and Harper 1972, 1977, Loope 1977, Jefferies and Klopatek 1987). The primary objectives of this study are to: (1) identify and evaluate the abiotic and biotic factors influencing the stucture and species composition of relict and grazed pinyon­juniper, black brush ricegrass, and ricegrass grassland communities, and (2) select, refine and validate a system that can be used to field monitor condition and trend of relict and grazed communities.