2.2.2.4. Soil erosion and compaction. The degree of soil erosion and
compaction in each 1 m2 quadrat was evaluated subjectively by
visual observations (Baars et al., 1997). Soil erosion was assessed
based on the presence of pedestals and pavements. The soil
pedestal is the upper layer of soil held together by plant roots with
eroded soil around the tuft, whereas the soil pavement is a terrace
of flat soil, normally without basal cover and with a line of tufts
between pavements. A score of 5 pointswas assigned for no signs of
erosion, 4 points for slight sand mulch, 3 points for weak pedestals,
2 points for steep-sided pedestals, 1 point for pavements and
0 points for gullies. Soil compactionwas assessed based on the level
of capping or crust formation of the soil surface. The highest score
(5 points) was given for a soil surface with no capping, 4 points for
isolated capping, 3 points for greater than 50% capping, 2 points for
greater than 75% capping and 1 point for almost 100% capping.