Applicability of Montreal Process Criterion 4 - soil and water conservation - to rangeland sustainability

Criterion 4 of the Montreal Process addresses the conservation of soil and water resources as a way to assess the sustainability of a nation's forests . For the most part, the indicators under this criterion are relevant to ra ngelands. The area and percent of rangeland with significant soil erosion a pply equally well to both biomes. Percent of streams with flow rates and ti ming outside its range of historical variation is also equally important, a lthough a measure of proper functioning and condition may provide a better measure of the indicator. The area and percent of rangeland with diminished soil productive capability because of a loss of reduced organic matter or changed physical characteristics can be useful indicators locally and regio nally.