ABSTRACT
ERAMS (Environmental Resources Assessment and Management System) is a computer-aided decision support system. It is an aid to land allocation and to rangeland management. ERAMS was developed to obtain information on the present and potential productivity of grazing land in arid and semi-arid regions.
Basically, ERAMS initially uses remote sensing data to determine a number of land associations and units. Within these units a series of sub-classes are selected for ground-based data collection.
The ERAMS methodology relies upon the fact that the potential vegetative biomass production of these arid and semi-arid regions is highly correlated with the availability of soil moisture.
The potential productivity of each land unit is quantitatively related to rainfall, slope, soil depth, texture and soil salinity. These collectively characterise the availability of soil moisture. Parameters influencing this factor are primarily included within the ground truthing.
The current productivity (stock carrying capacity) of the land units is computed from measured foliage cover and botanical composition (also assessed during the ground truthing procedure). Measurement of foliage cover and content can also be used to calculate erosion susceptibility and give a measure of the extent to which the rangeland has been invaded by less desirable species. By comparison of the current biomass production with the potential production for a given land unit, a measure of the current vegetation condition and extent of degradation can be given. These data can then be further used to indicate the amount and type of reclamation needed to rehabilitate the land.
ERAMS is an integral part of the DRYPLAN Expert System now being developed and trialled at the Roseworthy Campus of the University of Adelaide. DRY-PLAN will help make decisions about the planning and operational management of rangeland production systems.114
