Increased ground cover

Impact

Ground cover describes the material that covers the surface of the soil.  It includes native vegetation, crop stubble, pasture, weeds, leaf litter, rocks and logs.  Ground cover is important for protecting the soil surface from raindrop impact, reducing run-off and soil erosion and enhancing water infiltration.  The condition of the ground cover has implications for flora and fauna habitat, ecological processes and soil condition.

Suggested indicator: Ground cover

Increased ground cover may be associated with:

Potential associated impacts Suggested indicators+
Changed vegetation condition
Increased fuel load, which may increase fire intensity
  • Impact of fire
 

Changed infiltration that may alter the watertable
  • Soil infiltration
  • Depth to groundwater

Reduced evaporative water loss from soil surface that may increase plant available water content
  • Plant available water content
 

Increased quality and quantity of soil organic matter 
  • Soil life
  • Organic litter
 

Increased potential for gain of soil nutrients
  • Soil chemistry
 

Reduced potential for soil erosion 
  • Hillslope erosion
  • Gully erosion
  • Wind erosion

+ Descriptions of indicators (PDF, 76K)* provides a brief description of each indicator including techniques and purpose.

* Requires Adobe Reader

Last updated 7 September 2010

Land Manager's Monitoring Guide