Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Monitoring Pasture Condition Trends For Sustained Production
Author
Cowan, D.C.
Fry, P.
Publisher
The Australian Rangeland Society
Publication Year
1996
Body

One aspect of monitoring grazing systems is the condition of the natural resource. Photos show broad changes such as the reduction of rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflorum) byfire. Estimates of species composition on north-east Queensland Aristida/Bothriochloa, spinifex (Triodia spp.) and black speargrass (Heteropogon contortus) community sites in 1992 and 1995 show more subtle changes often missed by photos. All except the speargrass site had reductions in decreaser perennial grasses. The intermediate perennial grass increased only on the spinifex site, while increaser perennial grasses increased on all sites. The two monitoring methods are contrasted. Interpretation and use of this information in management is discussed.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Paper
Additional Information

September 24-27, 1996

Port Augusta, South Australia

ISSN 1323-6660
Conference Name
The Australian Rangeland Society 9th Biennial Conference
Keywords
natural resources
grazing management
monitoring
photography
Australia