Monitoring and Research

Outcome-based monitoring and assumption-driven research help us ensure that our work is adaptive – that we learn from our actions and improve them over time. During biological planning, we make many assumptions about how wildlife populations respond to their environment. Research that tests the validity of these assumptions and their relevance for natural resource management is a high priority. When taking any conservation action at a site, we need to monitor actual outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness of our programs and our progress toward goals and objectives. Updating our biological models and conservation designs and strategies based on information we get from research and monitoring activities completes the SHC feedback loop.

Inventory and Monitoring Initiative Fact Sheet (PDF)

Additional Resources:

Natural Resource Program Center

SHC Sharepoint Portal (FWS and DOI employees only)

Publications

SHC report cover. Credit: USFWS
SHC Report