Monitoring natural resource management

There are a number of systems available for monitoring land condition. One of these monitoring systems, The ABCD Land Condition Guide, provides the methodology for assessing the soil condition, pasture condition and woodland condition. It involves assessing the landscape based on an A (high value), B, C or D (low value) rating for several different areas including: 

• soil cover 
• erosion risk 
• levels of bush, grasses and forbs 
• levels of recruitment of desirable species 
• evidence of grazing impact on shrubs and soil 
• palatable and non-palatable species 
• weeds. 

Weeds pose a significant threat to Australian rangeland systems and threaten grassland and woodland condition. In addition to threatening biodiversity through impacts on individual species and communities, they can downgrade key ecological processes. 

The costs associated with weeds can be linked to: 

• decreased productivity of rangeland systems 
• contamination of livestock products (wool and meat) 
• damage to livestock (e.g. toxicity, grass seeds) 
• costs of control, containment or prevention. 

There are six principles to achieving effective weed control: 

• Detection: be on the lookout for new weed infestations before they become too large and difficult to handle. 
• Awareness: be aware of existing and potential weed problems. 
• Prevention: prevent new weed infestations and contain the spread of existing weeds. 
• Planning: prioritise efforts and plan a strategy for successful control. 
• Intervention: control weeds early before they become out of control. 
• Control and monitor: control, monitoring and follow-up are all aspects that will assist in achieving good weed control.