Planning for implementation of long-term resource monitoring programs

Guidelines for the early stages of developing a monitoring program are presented. Jumping right into a monitoring program based on standard protocols and a number of commonly monitored parameters is an attractive idea, but it is unlikely to lead to an intelligent allocation of time and money. Rather, a number of well-defined planning steps must be followed before monitoring is begun: 1. Objectives for the program should be well defined. 2. The attributes to be monitored in order to meet objectives should be listed. 3. Methods of monitoring these attributes should be developed. 4. A pilot study should be conducted to determine spatial and temporal variability of the attributes being monitored and the cost of sampling. 5. The results of the pilot study should be carefully evaluated to determine whether program objectives can be met for an acceptable cost. 6. Objectives, attributes to be monitored, and methods should be revised in accordance with the results of the pilot study.