Sustainability Indicators

Value for Management & Policy

(Tim Reuwsaat & Jeanne Wade Evans)

Differences Jurisdictions

Laws

Uses

Values

Scales

Changes over time

Costs of doing business

Budgets

Indicators

Objective Verifiable Measurements

Value Neutral Economic

Social Ecological

Interpretation of Indicators

Different mix

Different weight

All deserve consideration

Policy Change Example

One Indicator:

Acreage of land available for livestock grazing

Decreasing

Policy options:

De-emphasize program or

Open more acreage for this use

Policy Change Example Add an indicator:

Acres of weeds occupying rangelandsIncreasing

Policy Options:Increased funding for weed control

Result—more acres available for livestock grazing

Policy Change Indicator

Add another indicator:Accessibility to rangelands for a variety of uses

Decreasing

Policy options:

Re-define land adjustment priorities—land exchanges

ROW

Policies What indicators used

How many indicators considered

What combination of indicators

Weight of ecological, social, and economic indicators

Political scenario

Other Important Uses

Monitoring

Common techniques & protocols

Focus research needs

Workload priorities

Funding

Accountability

Legal compliance

Summary

Jointly developed reflect differing focus

Mix of indicators

Improve the rangeland debate

Foundation for future policies