Evaluating the accuracy of two simple field methods for estimating grassland curing state in the Dry Chaco Region of Argentina

This study assessed two field methods at a single sampling site to estimate grass curing state in Argentina’s Dry Chaco region, crucial for fire risk assessment: the frame-based visual method (n = 105) and the frame-based Levy rod method (n = 96). Destructive sampling served as the comparison standard (n = 105). Accuracy was assessed using RMSE, MAE, and MBE error metrics. The Levy rod method performed poorly (RMSE = 36.6, MAE = 30.8, MBE = 30.1). The frame-based visual method’s accuracy improved significantly with observer experience, achieving satisfactory error values in the high-experience phase (RMSE = 20.3, MAE = 15.9, MBE = 6.3), indicating moderate accuracy and low overestimation. The results indicate that the frame-based visual method is relatively easy and rapid to conduct, but it does require trained observers. Also, no expensive equipment is required in the field. Future research should expand sampling sites to capture regional grass diversity, further exploring the method’s potential.