Table of rangeland classification

About this classification

 

Class

Condition

Characteristics

Management options

0

Excellent

 Erosion spots are negligible (0-2% cover).
Hummocks are not conspicuous.
Grazing marks are hardly noticeable, (sward height ~ 20-50 cm).
Flowers of grasses and sedges are very abundant in autumn.
Standing dead is abundandt in the sward.
Herbage is very abundant (vegetation utilisation < 10%).		  

1

Good

 Erosion spots are few (< 5 % cover).
Hummocks are not conspicuous.
Grazing marks are noticeable, vegetation is unevenly grazed (sward height > 15 cm).
Flowers of grasses and sedges are abundant in autumn.
Standing dead is considerable.
Herbage is abundant (vegatation utilisation < 40%)		  

2

Fair

 Erosion spots are few (< 5 % cover).
Grazing marks are obvious, vegatation is evenly grazed, (sward height ~10-20 cm).
Flowers of grasses and sedges are common.
Standing dead is noticeable.
Herbage is considerable (vegatation utilisation 40-60%)		 Caution, e.g. in cold or dry years.

3

Poor

 Erosion spots are noticeable (5-10% cover).
Hummocks are conspicuous.
Grazing marks are very obvious, vegetation is heavily grazed all over the range (sward height ~5-15 cm).
Flowers of grasses and sedges are hardly niticeable.
Standng dead is absent from sward.
Herbage is little (vegatation utilisation > 60-80%).		 Reduce grazing.

Use of fertiliser.

 

4

Very poor

 Erosion spots are noticeable (~10% cover).
Hummocks are very conspicuous.
Grazing marks are very obvious, vegetation is heavily grazed all over the range (sward height < 10 cm).
Flowers of grasses and sedges are hardly noticeable.
Standing dead is absent from sward.
Herbage is very scarce (vegetation utilisation > 80%).		 Protection from grazing. Reduce grazing considerably. Use of fertiliser.

5

Not suitable for grazing

 Erosion spots are very conspicuous (> 10%).
Hummocks are very conspicuous.
Grazing marks are very obvious, vegetation is heavily grazed all over the range (sward height ~5cm).
Flowers of grasses and sedges are absent.
Standing dead is absent from sward.
Herbage is very scarce (vegetation utilisation > 80%).		 Protection from grazing. Use of fertileser. Reclamation.