Soil surface features as indicators of rangeland site productivity.

Abstract

Criteria for the classification of Red Earth soils into groups reflecting differences in their productive potenrial were investigated on three sites near Cobar, New South Wales. Five features were shown to be useful by cluster and discriminate analysis of an extensive data set. A field-based classification using six very similar criteria was also tested and shown to agree with the cluster method. Laboratory tests for stability and fertility of the surface soil layer from each class indicated a significant difference between classes, and a narrow range of values for an individual class. Herbage production on quadrats over the range of soil surface condition also consistently reflected the classification. When the method was tested with three personnel previously unfamiliar with the criteria, good agreement with the original experimental set was obtained.

Microbiotic soil crusts - a review of their roles in soil and ecological processes in the rangelands of Australia

“…In that study, biomass of biennial grasses and forbs increased as the cover of microbiota increased. Similarly, Tongway and Smith (1989) showed that a high degree of microbiotic cover and diversity on red earth soils was associated with highly productive sites, i.e. high biomass.…”

“…Tongway and Smith (1989) developed a field-based methodology to classify the surface condition of red earth soils in the semi-arid woodlands of eastern Australia. This system reflects differences in the erosional status, nutrient status and stability of the soil surface (Tongway and Smith 1989).…”

“…Tongway and Smith (1989) developed a field-based methodology to classify the surface condition of red earth soils in the semi-arid woodlands of eastern Australia. This system reflects differences in the erosional status, nutrient status and stability of the soil surface (Tongway and Smith 1989). It also provides a reliable estimate of the potential productivity of the soil surface, which is independent of any assessment of the vegetation, and is therefore applicable during periods when vascular plants are absent.…”

A Field Guide to Biological Soil Crusts of Western U.S. DrylandsA Field Guide to Biological Soil Crusts of Western U.S. Drylands

“…Early efforts to classify soil surfaces and include biological soil crusts were developed in the semi-arid woodlands of eastern Australia (Tongway and Smith 1989). This assessment showed differences in the stability, erosion, and nutrient status of soil surfaces, and provided a reliable estimate of potential productivity of the surface independent of vascular NOTES vegetation.…”

Topographic change detection at select archeological sites in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, 2007-2010

“…Existing methods of mapping cryptobiotic crusts are generally implemented by visual techniques-soils are inspected in the field and several classes of development are distinguished from one another according to established protocols (for example, Tongway and Smith, 1989;Belnap and others, 2001). The areal extent of cryptobiotic crust at a particular site can be mapped directly on a photographic base map, such as a low-altitude orthophotograph, or can be mapped by survey boundary methods, such as GPS or total station.…”