The erosion cell - A geomorphic approach to landscape classification in range assessment.

Abstract

Man) met hods for dealing with soil erosion in range condition assessment have an inadequate geomorphic basis because they only considertheimmediate eroded area. A morecompleteapproach is to divide an area into erosion cells. each of which consists of sediment productionzone,asedimenttransferzoneanda sink. The land surfaces developed in each of these areas are likely to have different ages, disturbance regimes, water supplies and nutrient status. and therefore different vegetation structures. Many of these erosion cells are natural but they can be enhanced by grazing pressure and climaticchange. Once erosion cells are recognised they may be used in range condition assessment to stratify monitoring sites and to develop indices of landscape stability and soil loss.