Indicator
Osgood Swamp
2015 Evaluation
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2015 Evaluation
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Status
Insufficient Data to Determine Status or No Target Established
Trend
Insufficient Data to Determine Trend
Confidence
Low
Evaluation Map
Osgood Swamp Map.JPG
Description

Map showing location of Osgood Swamp and surrounding area.

Rationale Details
Insufficient data to determine status. There is no recent quantitative data available on Osgood Swamp. The status of Osgood Swamp was reported as somewhat worse than target in 2011, due to increased ponding due to beaver dams.
Insufficient data to determine trend. The 2006 Threshold Evaluation Report determined that the condition of Osgood Swamp was declining due to altered hydrology from beaver activity (TRPA, 2007). The 2011 Threshold Evaluation Report also reported a moderate decline due to beaver activity, but the history of beaver in this area and their impact is point of contention. No further evidence is available to indicate a change in the trend in the last four years.
Confidence Details
Low. Where insufficient data is available to determine status the confidence is determined to be low.
Low. Where insufficient data is available to determine trend the confidence is determined to be low.
Low
Outcomes
Programs and Actions Implemented to Improve Conditions
TRPA and partners implement regulations and programs related to the protection of stream environment zones and uncommon plant communities. Anthropogenic activities known to impact these areas are prohibited.
Effectiveness of Programs and Actions
Current regulations and protection measures appear effective at avoiding anthropogenic impacts.
Interim Target
Insufficient data is available at this time to establish and interim target.
Target Attainment Date
Not applicable.
Recommendations
Analytic Approach
Data from the U.S. Forest Service long term meadow monitoring plots are expected to provide a standardized quantitative measure of meadow health and long term trends. Agencies monitor and report on different cycles. Threshold reporting is on a four-year cycle, and the LTBMU is monitoring vegetation plots on a five-year cycle. Synchronization would be beneficial. Web-based reporting in the future will enable more continuous reporting and data analysis.
Monitoring Approach
The data from the long term monitoring plot is primarily relevant to a small fen south of Osgood Swamp. Consideration should be given additional monitoring in other parts of the swamp. Remote sensing has been effective in detecting change in fens in the Sierra Nevada (Drexler et al., 2013) and its ability to assess status and trend should be evaluated.
Modification of the Threshold Standard or Indicator
No baseline has been established against which the nondegradation of the community standard can be objectively evaluated. Objective determination of “attainment” status for standards without a specific target is a recurrent challenge both in the Region and in the larger field of monitoring and evaluation (M&E). The standard should be assessed against best practice for the establishment of standards and indicators for M&E, and amended as necessary to improve the evaluability of the standard and the information it provides for management.
Attain or Maintain Threshold
No changes recommended
Additional Figures and Resources

No documents available.