14.1 Establishing monitoring protocols and indicators
4 min read•august 7, 2024
Monitoring in permaculture is all about tracking progress and making sure your system is thriving. It starts with setting clear goals and collecting baseline data. This helps you see how things change over time and if you're meeting your targets.
There are tons of things to keep an eye on in a permaculture system. You'll want to check soil health, biodiversity, water quality, and crop yields. Don't forget about resource efficiency and the social impact of your project too. It's all connected!
Monitoring Fundamentals
Establishing a Baseline and Setting Goals
Top images from around the web for Establishing a Baseline and Setting Goals
Frontiers | Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services View original
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What is Soil Health? | VRO | Agriculture Victoria View original
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Frontiers | Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services View original
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Soil Health and Management – Digging into Canadian Soils View original
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Top images from around the web for Establishing a Baseline and Setting Goals
Frontiers | Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services View original
Is this image relevant?
Soil Health and Management – Digging into Canadian Soils View original
Is this image relevant?
What is Soil Health? | VRO | Agriculture Victoria View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services View original
Is this image relevant?
Soil Health and Management – Digging into Canadian Soils View original
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Collect baseline data to establish a starting point for monitoring progress and changes over time
Identify key (KPIs) that are relevant, measurable, and aligned with project objectives (biodiversity, soil health, yield)
Set that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound to guide monitoring efforts and evaluate success
Specific goals clearly define what needs to be accomplished (increasing crop yield by 20%)
Measurable goals have quantifiable targets that can be tracked (reducing water usage by 10%)
Achievable goals are realistic and attainable given available resources and constraints
Relevant goals align with the overall objectives and priorities of the permaculture system
Time-bound goals have a specific timeline for completion (achieving carbon neutrality within 5 years)
Observation Techniques for Monitoring
Utilize a variety of observation techniques to gather data and monitor changes in the permaculture system
involve regularly inspecting plants, soil, and infrastructure for signs of health, stress, or damage
and testing provide insights into nutrient levels, pH, organic matter content, and microbial activity
help track biodiversity and identify changes in species composition and abundance over time
quantify the productivity of crops, livestock, and other outputs from the system
Document observations systematically using standardized forms, photographs, and detailed notes to ensure consistency and comparability over time
Ecological and Agricultural Indicators
Monitoring Ecosystem Health and Function
Track ecological indicators that reflect the health and function of the permaculture system
include soil structure, organic matter content, water infiltration rate, and presence of beneficial organisms (earthworms, mycorrhizal fungi)
measure the variety and abundance of plant, animal, and microbial species present in the system
refers to the total number of different species present
describes the relative abundance of each species
assess the chemical, physical, and biological properties of water resources (pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrient levels)
can indicate imbalances or stresses within the system that require attention
Measuring Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability
Monitor agricultural indicators to evaluate the productivity, efficiency, and sustainability of the permaculture system
Yield measurements quantify the amount of crops, livestock, and other products harvested per unit area or input (kilograms of tomatoes per square meter, liters of milk per cow)
compare the amount of resources invested (water, fertilizer, labor) to the yields obtained, indicating the efficiency of the system
track the flow and retention of essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) within the system
measure the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide captured and stored in the soil through plant growth and organic matter accumulation
Sustainability Metrics
Assessing Resource Efficiency and Conservation
Evaluate resource efficiency indicators to monitor the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources within the permaculture system
measures the amount of water consumed per unit of yield or biomass produced (liters of water per kilogram of lettuce)
tracks the ratio of energy inputs (fossil fuels, electricity) to outputs (food, fiber, fuel) produced by the system
monitors the proportion of total energy needs met through renewable sources (solar, wind, biomass)
and recycling metrics quantify the amount of waste materials diverted from landfills and recycled or repurposed within the system (composting, mulching, upcycling)
Monitoring Social and Economic Sustainability
Track social and economic indicators to assess the broader sustainability and impact of the permaculture system
measure the level of participation, education, and empowerment of local communities in the permaculture project
evaluate the availability, accessibility, and stability of food supplies for local populations
measures the financial performance and long-term sustainability of the permaculture enterprise (profitability, return on investment, job creation)
assess the well-being and satisfaction of individuals and communities involved in the permaculture system (health, education, social cohesion)