GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN PASTURE AND RANGE SURVEY, RESEARCH, ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Range management is a unique science and profession. It deals with soil-plant-animal interrelationships and the economic aspects of managing natural forage resources. Therefore, it requires utilization of knowledge in a wide variety of subjects such as soils, plant ecology and geography, phyto-sociology, taxonomy, plant physiology, agronomy, forestry, watershed management, wildlife management, plant and animal nutrition, animal husbandry and economics. Undoubtedly, no range scientist can master all these fields. But in order to analyze, synthesize and eventually integrate the use of natural forage resources and cultivated forage crops, a good working knowledge in certain fields related to range management is needed. One should also have a good acquaintance with the terminology used in these fields. Range Management is a relatively young science which borrowed terminology from related fields. In several cases the borrowed words did not fit the meaning intended when they were first applied to range situations, but were retained for convenience. New words have been introduced as the development of range science continued. In other cases, local meanings in certain countries were also used in other parts of the world with the advancement of range management work. Some terms have doubtful meanings and have become obsolete but were retained to clarify their meaning as used in the early published reports and periodicals. Several glossaries of technical terms used in ecology, botany, soils and range management were published during the last two decades or so. They helped in developing and standardizing the meanings of technical terms. Some of these glossaries are too limited to one field or another. Sometimes, particularly in integrated range survey and forage crops research, pasture specialists found it necessary to consult several glossaries. This glossary, covering a wider range of terms, is intended for use by people with varying degrees of training relative to the principles of range management, particularly in the absence of good libraries as the case is in many countries in Africa, Near East and South East Asia. Many terms are defined in a more simple way as compared to other standard glossaries; however, every possible effort was made to retain the technical meaning of the term. This compilation is an effort to provide a foundation for common understanding in communications covering range management science. Undoubtedly, revisions of some of the terms as defined here will be made in the future as the field of range science grows. Also, new terms will appear as more integrated concepts of range research are developed. Readers who have suggestions or criticisms of the present glossary are requested to forward their comments to the author. None of the terms in this glossary are considered official by the Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa.