Preliminary Assessment of the Influences of Pasture Cover on Surface Runoff, Bedload and Suspended Sediment Losses in the Australian Semi Arid Tropics

M. Dilshad, J. A. Motha and L. J. Peel
Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory Cattle production is the most important agricultural industry in the NT. Grazing by cattle, however, has the potential to strongly influence vegetation cover close to the ground. The importance of vegetation cover in influencing runoff and soil erosion resulting from both, overland flow and rain drop impact, has been recognised for a number of years. The purpose of this paper is to describe the relationship between ground cover, surface runoff, bedload, and suspended matter for an important improved pasture in the NT.

The relationship developed by this paper will serve as a guide for monitoring pasture paddock for soil erosion potential