This publication is the result of concerns expressed regarding the definition and subsequent use of ground cover in rangeland monitoring. We reviewed 20 monitoring publications. All publications reviewed contained a definition of ground cover and/or direction on how to monitor ground cover. The majority of these publications also defined bare ground. In all cases, bare ground was defined as the opposite of ground cover.

We identified critical criteria of ground cover based on the role it plays in soil conservation as it relates to water and wind erosion. Critical criteria identified included standing and nonstanding live vegetation, standing and nonstanding dead vegetation including litter, and rock. We compared these critical criteria to the 20 monitoring publications reviewed. We found 19 of these publications included the criteria standing live vegetation or similar words and standing dead vegetation or similar words in their definition and/or use of ground cover. The one source where standing live or dead vegetation or similar words were not included was “Indicators of Rangeland Health and Functionality in the Intermountain West.” This publication was produced by the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Ground cover was limited to basal vegetation, litter, moss/lichen, or rock. We also found inconsistencies in the definition and subsequent use of ground cover in Forest Service Handbook 2209.21–Rangeland Ecosystem Analysis and Monitoring Handbook, Intermountain Region.

We contend a large volume of literature supports the inclusion of critical criteria as identified in this report as ground cover. These criteria are essential components contributing to resistance of water and wind erosion important to soil conservation. This review demonstrates the importance of accurately defining and subsequently including critical criteria in rangeland attributes including ground cover. This paper addresses standardizing terms and calculations used in determining ground cover.

该出版物是对牧场监测中地面覆盖的定义和后续使用表示关注的结果。我们审查了20个监控出版物。所审查的所有出版物均包含了地面覆盖的定义和/或有关如何监控地面覆盖的方向。这些出版物中的大多数也定义了基础。在所有情况下，裸露的地面都被定义为与地面覆盖物相反的地方。

我们基于地面覆盖物在水土流失和风蚀方面所起的作用，确定了地面覆盖物的关键标准。确定的关键标准包括站立和不站立的活植被，站立和不站立的枯死植被（包括凋落物和岩石）。我们将这些关键标准与所审查的20个监测出版物进行了比较。我们发现这些出版物中有19个在其定义和/或使用地被植物时包括站立活植物或类似词语和死植物或类似词语的标准。不包括站立或生死的植被或类似词语的一个来源是“西山间牧场的健康和功能指标”。该出版物由美国农业部林业局落基山研究站制作。地被植物仅限于基础植被，垃圾，苔藓/地衣或岩石。我们还发现地面覆盖物的定义和后续使用中存在不一致之处森林服务手册2209.21 –山间地区的《兰格兰生态系统分析和监测手册》。

我们认为，大量文献支持包含本报告中确定为基础的关键标准。这些标准是抵抗水和风蚀的重要组成部分，对土壤保护至关重要。这次审查表明了在牧场属性（包括地被植物）中准确定义并随后包括关键标准的重要性。本文介绍了用于确定地面覆盖率的标准化术语和计算方法。