Field Guide. cropping and pastoral grazing on flat to rolling country.

PLANT INDICATORSArea of bare ground Assess the area of bare ground in winter or early spring.Compare the surface of the soil with the three photographs opposite.If there is canopy closure, part the pasture with your h<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> scoreat ground level. An assessment of an area of bare ground after a longdry period will show how much pasture has died from lack of moisture.IN ADDITION TO STOCK CAMPING <strong>and</strong> drought effects, bare groundis formed by the physical churning up of the soil from treading <strong>and</strong>pugging. This causes leaf <strong>and</strong> stem crushing, uprooting or burial ofplants, <strong>and</strong> root damage, which reduces pasture density <strong>and</strong> vigour.Weeds <strong>and</strong> less desirable pasture species can invade the resulting gaps,further reducing pasture production. Like surface relief, the area of bareground can be a good indicator of below-ground damage.76 VISUAL SOIL ASSESSMENT: Volume 1