The Agroecosystem Resource Group (ARG) of the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) has developed a five-year (1991-1995) strategy for the development, evaluation, and implementation of a suite of indicators for monitoring agroecosystem status and trends on a regional and national basis. The five-year period includes time to test concepts relating to design, indicators, quality assurance, logistics, information management, data analysis, assessment and reporting at the pilot and demonstration program stages. A primary emphasis is on the development of close working relations between personnel from the U.S. Department Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and Soil Conservation Service (SCS) and the ARG. The 1993 Pilot Project in Nebraska will test all aspects of the monitoring program for a selected suite of indicators. The 1993 pilot will have sufficient flexibility to allow a number of innovative approaches to be examined in the various facets of the pilot.

"October 15, 1993." "This study was conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service." Includes bibliographical references (section leaf ) and appendices. "Ecological sustainability, the principal focus for the Agroecosystem monitoring effort, is the ability to maintain or enhance over the long term: quality of air, water and soil; productivity; and biodiversity."--Page 2.

1. Introduction.--2. Rationale and objectives.--3. Societal values, assessment questions, and indicators.--4. Design and statistical considerations.--5. Description of specific indicators for the pilot project.--6. Quality assurance.--7. Logistics.--8. Information management.