Sown pastures may be used for livestock grazing or forage (e.g. harvesting for hay). Other examples include lawns and grass sporting fields. Sown pastures may be irrigated and/or have drainage modifications, and are often subject to artificial nutrient supplementation or other soil ameliorant application. 

This category corresponds to IUCN-GET Ecosystem Functional Group T7.2 (Sown pastures and fields).
Stocks (assets)
Flows (benefits)

Area of ecosystem asset

Units

ha

Example approach

Estimate % of total land area covered by ecosystem type, multiplied by total land area

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

Internal records

Notes

TBD – please submit your suggestion at the feedback tab in the bottom right hand corner.

Units

ha

Example approach

Estimate extent using national/state/territory map data

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

National/state/territory maps

Notes

TBD – please submit your suggestion at the feedback tab in the bottom right hand corner.

Units

ha

Example approach

Measure extent using remote sensing in combination with ground-truthing for detailed site mapping

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

Producer or third party GIS

Notes

TBD – please submit your suggestion at the feedback tab in the bottom right hand corner.

Species richness

Type

Variable

Units

n

SEEA ECT Class

Compositional state

Example approach

Compile list of observed species using informal visual assessment

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

TBD

Notes

Species richness can be defined as “The number of species within a given sample, community, or area” (IPBES). It is one way of measuring species diversity, which is itself only one aspect of overall biodiversity. The concept of richness can also be applied at other levels, from genetic (e.g. the number of distinct genotypes within a species) to the number of represented genera, families, etc. It can be useful to supplement richness information with information on abundances or relative abundance distributions.
Depending on the purpose of measurement, and the measurement resources available, the concept of species richness may be applied to certain sets (e.g. plants, mammals, birds, invertebrates, endemic species, etc.). It is important to recognise that observations from one set may not apply to other sets in the same area.
It is usually not feasible to count all species, even within a limited set, within a given area. Therefore some form of sampling method is usually applied to come up with a sample set that can feasibly be measured. Many different sampling methods may be used, and the number of samples required will depend on the measurement objectives (e.g. desired accuracy and confidence), the sample measurement method (e.g. size of sample areas), and the actual variation in the measured quantity across the given area. There are also many different measurement methods and technologies at the sample measurement level (e.g. pit traps for insects, camera traps for animals, acoustic methods for birds). There is no single ‘right’ method that applies in all circumstances. Whatever method is used, it is important that it should be applied consistently for a given site over time, and appropriate to the measurement objectives and ecosystem type. Measurements using different methods may not necessarily be comparable.

Type

Variable

Units

n

SEEA ECT Class

Compositional state

Example approach

Compile list of species using informal visual assessment and national/state/territory species distribution maps

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

Example data sources: Atlas of Living Australia.

Notes

Species richness can be defined as “The number of species within a given sample, community, or area” (IPBES). It is one way of measuring species diversity, which is itself only one aspect of overall biodiversity. The concept of richness can also be applied at other levels, from genetic (e.g. the number of distinct genotypes within a species) to the number of represented genera, families, etc. It can be useful to supplement richness information with information on abundances or relative abundance distributions.
Depending on the purpose of measurement, and the measurement resources available, the concept of species richness may be applied to certain sets (e.g. plants, mammals, birds, invertebrates, endemic species, etc.). It is important to recognise that observations from one set may not apply to other sets in the same area.
It is usually not feasible to count all species, even within a limited set, within a given area. Therefore some form of sampling method is usually applied to come up with a sample set that can feasibly be measured. Many different sampling methods may be used, and the number of samples required will depend on the measurement objectives (e.g. desired accuracy and confidence), the sample measurement method (e.g. size of sample areas), and the actual variation in the measured quantity across the given area. There are also many different measurement methods and technologies at the sample measurement level (e.g. pit traps for insects, camera traps for animals, acoustic methods for birds). There is no single ‘right’ method that applies in all circumstances. Whatever method is used, it is important that it should be applied consistently for a given site over time, and appropriate to the measurement objectives and ecosystem type. Measurements using different methods may not necessarily be comparable.

Type

Variable

Units

n

SEEA ECT Class

Compositional state

Example approach

Compile list of species using appropriately representative sampling methods and transect surveys

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

TBD

Notes

Species richness can be defined as “The number of species within a given sample, community, or area” (IPBES). It is one way of measuring species diversity, which is itself only one aspect of overall biodiversity. The concept of richness can also be applied at other levels, from genetic (e.g. the number of distinct genotypes within a species) to the number of represented genera, families, etc. It can be useful to supplement richness information with information on abundances or relative abundance distributions.
Depending on the purpose of measurement, and the measurement resources available, the concept of species richness may be applied to certain sets (e.g. plants, mammals, birds, invertebrates, endemic species, etc.). It is important to recognise that observations from one set may not apply to other sets in the same area.
It is usually not feasible to count all species, even within a limited set, within a given area. Therefore some form of sampling method is usually applied to come up with a sample set that can feasibly be measured. Many different sampling methods may be used, and the number of samples required will depend on the measurement objectives (e.g. desired accuracy and confidence), the sample measurement method (e.g. size of sample areas), and the actual variation in the measured quantity across the given area. There are also many different measurement methods and technologies at the sample measurement level (e.g. pit traps for insects, camera traps for animals, acoustic methods for birds). There is no single ‘right’ method that applies in all circumstances. Whatever method is used, it is important that it should be applied consistently for a given site over time, and appropriate to the measurement objectives and ecosystem type. Measurements using different methods may not necessarily be comparable.

Type

Variable

Units

ha

SEEA ECT Class

Various

Example approach

Estimate condition using informal sampling or visual assessment

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

Internal records; ABCD condition guides

Notes

ABCD condition score is an index composed from compositional state indicators such as density of 3P grasses (perennial, palatable and productive grasses), soil condition, presence of weed species and woody density. Each of these can be measured as an individual variable. For an example of ABCD Condition guides, visit Future Beef Land Condition.

Type

Variable

Units

n

SEEA ECT Class

Various

Example approach

Estimate asset area in each condition state using national/state/territory map data and/or remote sensing inputs

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

ABCD condition guides, State & Transition models

Notes

ABCD condition score is an index composed from compositional state indicators such as density of 3P grasses (perennial, palatable and productive grasses), soil condition, presence of weed species and woody density. Each of these can be measured as an individual variable. For an example of ABCD Condition guides, visit Future Beef Land Condition.

Type

Variable

Units

n

SEEA ECT Class

Various

Example approach

Measure asset area in each condition state using site-specific remote and/or in-field sensing inputs

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

ABCD condition guides, State & Transition models

Notes

ABCD condition score is an index composed from compositional state indicators such as density of 3P grasses (perennial, palatable and productive grasses), soil condition, presence of weed species and woody density. Each of these can be measured as an individual variable. For an example of ABCD Condition guides, visit Future Beef Land Condition.

Type

Variable

Units

Various

SEEA ECT Class

Various

Example approach

Estimate condition using informal sampling or visual assessment

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

Internal records

Notes

Example variables relatively easily estimated include % bare ground, other soil surface features. A useful reference, particularly for rangelands soils, is Tongway, D.J. and Hindley, N.L. (2004) Landscape Function Analysis: Procedures for Monitoring and Assessing Landscapes. Canberra: CSIRO.

Type

Variable

Units

Various

SEEA ECT Class

Various

Example approach

Estimate condition using national/state/territory map data plus informal sampling or visual assessment

Notes

More advanced variables include those listed in tier 1, plus pH, % SOC, salinity, NPK, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), soil water holding capacity. The depth and/or mass of soil covered by a measurement should be stated, ideally stating values for all layers within the soil profile to at least 1m depth.

Type

Variable

Units

Various

SEEA ECT Class

Various

Example approach

Measure asset area in each condition state using site-specific remote and/or in-field sensing inputs

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

Various data and testing providers

Notes

More advanced variables include those listed in tier 1 and tier 2, plus biological functioning.

Forage for livestock

Units

t DM

SEEA ES sub-type

Grazed biomass provisioning services

Intermediate or final (see SEEA-EA 2021, Table 6.3)

Final (see Notes)

Example approach

Estimate using informal sampling or visual assessment

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

TBD – please submit your suggestion at the feedback tab in the bottom right hand corner.

Notes

Grazed biomass provisioning is technically an intermediate service provided to livestock, with the livestock then providing the final service of livestock provisioning. However, following SEEA-EA 2021 (para. 6.56) it is recommended that grazed biomass provisioning is considered as the primary ecosystem contribution. Where there is a mix of ecosystem contributions and human contributions (e.g. through addition of fertiliser) to the grazed biomass provisioning service, ideally the ecosystem contribution should be estimated as a percentage of the total. Likewise, if measured via a proxy such as the stocking rate, corrections should be made for other inputs, such as supplementary feed (unless sourced from the same ecosystem, over the same time period).

Units

t DM

SEEA ES sub-type

Grazed biomass provisioning services

Intermediate or final (see SEEA-EA 2021, Table 6.3)

Final (see Notes)

Example approach

Estimate using satellite data or forage budget service providers

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

TBD – please submit your suggestion at the feedback tab in the bottom right hand corner.

Notes

Grazed biomass provisioning is technically an intermediate service provided to livestock, with the livestock then providing the final service of livestock provisioning. However, following SEEA-EA 2021 (para. 6.56) it is recommended that grazed biomass provisioning is considered as the primary ecosystem contribution. Where there is a mix of ecosystem contributions and human contributions (e.g. through addition of fertiliser) to the grazed biomass provisioning service, ideally the ecosystem contribution should be estimated as a percentage of the total. Likewise, if measured via a proxy such as the stocking rate, corrections should be made for other inputs, such as supplementary feed (unless sourced from the same ecosystem, over the same time period).

Units

t DM

SEEA ES sub-type

Grazed biomass provisioning services

Intermediate or final (see SEEA-EA 2021, Table 6.3)

Final (see Notes)

Example approach

Measure using satellite data plus formal on-site assessment including stratified sampling scheme and data collection and analysis protocol

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

TBD – please submit your suggestion at the feedback tab in the bottom right hand corner.

Notes

Grazed biomass provisioning is technically an intermediate service provided to livestock, with the livestock then providing the final service of livestock provisioning. However, following SEEA-EA 2021 (para. 6.56) it is recommended that grazed biomass provisioning is considered as the primary ecosystem contribution. Where there is a mix of ecosystem contributions and human contributions (e.g. through addition of fertiliser) to the grazed biomass provisioning service, ideally the ecosystem contribution should be estimated as a percentage of the total. Likewise, if measured via a proxy such as the stocking rate, corrections should be made for other inputs, such as supplementary feed (unless sourced from the same ecosystem, over the same time period).

Forage for livestock – Agistment price

Units

$/t DM

Example approach

Multiply physical flow quantity by average agistment price for comparable pastures

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

Producer associations, bulletin boards, etc.

Notes

TBD – please submit your suggestion at the feedback tab in the bottom right hand corner.

Units

$/t DM

Example approach

Multiply physical flow quantity by average agistment price for different types of pasture

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

Producer associations, bulletin boards, etc.

Notes

TBD – please submit your suggestion at the feedback tab in the bottom right hand corner.

Units

$/t DM

Example approach

Multiply physical flow quantity by agistment price for specific areas grazed

Example methods/guidance/data sources/references

Producer associations, bulletin boards, etc.

Notes

TBD – please submit your suggestion at the feedback tab in the bottom right hand corner.

Last updated: 25th July 2023