Table 1 Classification criteria for management intensity, as outlined in the 2006 IPCC Guidelines (IPCC GL), grasslands grading criteria from the National Grasslands Management Survey in South Korea, and integrated management intensity categories applied in this study.
From: A field-measured dataset for soil organic carbon stock in South Korean grasslands
Classification criteria for management intensity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 IPCC GL | Improved | Nominally managed | Moderately degraded | Severely degraded |
Represents grasslands which is sustainably managed with moderate grazing pressure and that receive at least one improvement (e.g., fertilization, species improvement, irrigation) | Represents non-degraded and sustainably managed grasslands, but without significant management improvements | Represents overgrazed or moderately degraded grasslands, with somewhat reduced productivity (relative to the native or nominally managed grasslands) and receiving no management inputs | Implies major long-term loss of productivity and vegetation cover, due to severe mechanical damage to the vegetation and/or severe soil erosion | |
National Grasslands Management Survey | Upper grade | Middle grade | Low grade | |
Grass cover ≥80% | Grass cover 60–80% | Grass cover <60% | ||
In this study | Improved | Nominally managed | Degraded | |
Indicates grass cover of 80% or more and typically receives active management, including controlled grazing intensity and at least one or more management interventions per year (fertilization, irrigation, and grass overseeding) | Indicates grass cover ranging from 60% to 80% and typically has moderate grazing intensity and receives only one management intervention per year (fertilization) | Indicates grass cover below 60% and typically has uncontrolled grazing intensity and does not receive fertilization | ||
