Monitoring is the process of collecting data about your site. The word “Data” can sound intimidating to some, but its important to make the distinction between “information” which while being invaluable is also a bit informal, and “Data” which is the product of directed activities that are conducted under a set of standards to ensure accuracy. Good information is founded on data. Its one thing to stand back and guess that your project is a success, but why not prove it right? Well conducted monitoring will give your site credibility and that is invaluable for several reasons. It will allow you to defend your activities to those who may be unsure of their effectiveness. It will demonstrate to those who may support future efforts that you are doing good work. It will allow other restorationists to really understand what techniques are the most effective ensuring improvement within the restoration community. It allows you to make corrections based on fact not guesswork, saving time and effort and ensuring success. Once you understand some of the techniques available and establish a schedule, we think monitoring can be one of the more fun activities you can do at your site. It will have you outside interacting with your site in the months and years to come.
Look here for a more in-depth discussion about monitoring techniques.
To Download a presentation covering different monitoring Techniques and their application presented by SUN look here.
