Monitoring programs vary in their effectiveness, depending upon the standards used to develop, implement and integrate them. Monitoring programs can better direct management decisions when they include (from Noon 2003, Parrish et al. 2003):

• clearly defined conservation targets;
  
  
• a firm foundation in ecological theory and empiricism;
  
  
• a clear, logical basis for selection of indicators;
  
  
• an obvious linkage to cause-effect interpretation of monitoring signals;
  
  
• specified indicator values for triggering management response;
  
  
• a firm connection between results of monitoring and decision making; and
  
  
• adequate and consistent funding.

Incorporating these elements requires planning to develop clear goals and to identify key ecological relationships (Noon 2003).