Rapid Ecoregional Assessment (REA)
The REAs examine ecological values, conditions, and trends within ecoregions, which are large, connected areas that have similar environmental characteristics. Examples of ecoregions include the Sonoran Desert and the Colorado Plateau. REAs are called “rapid” assessments because they synthesize existing information, rather than conduct research or collect new data, and are generally completed within 18 months. This time frame is relatively “rapid” in comparison to assessments that conduct research or collect new data, or in comparison to the preparation of a BLM land-use plan, which typically takes from 36 to 48 months to complete.
