# About the classification

General principles
The scale used to classify land according to range condition is shown in the previous table. The scale is divided into six steps (classes 0-5). Class 0 describes a land where the vegetation and soil is in excellent condition and under little influence from grazing. Then the scale describes a deviation from that condition (classes 1–2) and the land degradation that prolonged overgrazing can induce (classes 3-5). It should be kept in mind that the classification is based on estimates as well as field-measurements, therefore the values given in the table should only be taken as approximates. These values may vary from one vegetation type or elevation to another, also they apply to the conditions found in Iceland. It should also be pointed out that the characters or indicators used in the table may not all fulfil the conditions at the same time when a range is classified, but the majority of them should do that

The most important characters used in the classification are explained above, but a few other terms have to be clarified. Sward height is here defined as the leaf-height of grasses and sedges (excluding flowering shoots). Vegetation utilisation is the proportion of the current year’s growth that has been removed by grazing. Herbage biomass is given as g/m2 in dry weight.

Example of steep slopes that have been damaged by horse grazing | Conditions where the classification does not apply Certain land types may not be suitable for grazing by horses or other livestock. The condition of such land may not have anything to do with the grazing history. In such cases one could add one step (class 6) to the scale and use it for land that should not be used as rangeland. Examples of that are steep slopes, mountainous areas, barren and other land types with poor vegetation, areas of special interest for e.g. nature conservation.

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