# Class 4, examples of very poor condition

Rangeland in class 4 is in a very poor condition. Strict management is needed, e.g. reduction in grazing or complete protection from grazing, fertiliser application.

Main characters:

| Erosion spots are conspicuous (~10% cover).
| Hummocks are very apparent.
| Grazing marks are very apparent.
| Flowers are hardly noticeable.
| Standing dead is absent.
| Herbage is very scarce.

| Grassland in September, vegetation is very short, hummocks are very conspicuous and with erosion spots, flowers are absent. Herbage biomass was 23 g/m2, sward height 7 cm and cover of erosion spots 14%.
| Close up of grassland in September (the frame is 50 x 50 cm).
| Grassland in October, intensely grazed hill slope with erosion spots. Herbage biomass was 4 g/m2, sward height 9 cm and erosion spots with 10% cover.
| Grassland in September, short vegetation with eroding hummocks. Herbage biomass was 13 g/m2, sward height 7 cm and erosion spots with 6% cover.
| Close up of grassland in September.
| Heathland in October, intensely grazed, hummocks are very conspicuous and flowers hardly noticeable. Herbage biomass was 6 g/m2, sward height 6 cm and erosion spots with 4% cover.

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