Abstract

The Rapid Ecoregional Assessments (REAs) were launched in 2010 to help improve the understanding of existing condition for ecoregions and how conditions may be altered by ongoing environmental changes and land use. They do not allocate resource uses or make management decisions. They provide science-based information and tools for land managers and stakeholders to consider in subsequent resource planning and decision making processes.

REAs examine ecological values, conditions, and trends within large, connected areas that have similar environmental characteristics in order to capitalize on efficiency of scale. REAs provide context to make site-specific decisions and conduct analyses for resource management plans and National Environmental Policy Act processes. The REAs seek to identify important resource values and patterns of environmental change that may not be evident when managing smaller, local land areas.

This report is the main document for the Northwestern Plains Rapid Ecoregional Assessment and includes Appendix A with the management questions for the ecoregion. See below for additional appendices.

Appendices:

• Appendix B - GAP Vegetation Systems - December 2012
• Appendix C - Change Agents 1-2 - December 2012
• Appendix C - Change Agents 3-4 - December 2012
• Appendix E - Fine Filter Conservation Elements 1-3 - December 2012

Affiliated Organizations

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

The BLM is responsible for managing the nation's public lands and resources in a combination of ways which best serve the needs of the American people. The BLM balances recreational, commercial, scientific and cultural interests and strives for long-term protection of renewable and nonrenewable resources, including range, timber, minerals, recreation, watershed, fish and wildlife, wilderness and natural, scenic, scientific and cultural values.

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