Answer :
Final answer:
The extent of steepness of terrain slopes in a site is known as the b. ruggedness index (RIX), used to quantify topographical variation and influence land management activities.
Explanation:
The extent of steepness of terrain slopes in a site is known as the ruggedness index (RIX). This index helps quantify the variation in topography, often used by natural resource technicians to assess landforms for various land management activities such as providing shade for streams, building roads, or prescribing timber management operations.
Slope is essentially the gradient or incline of the land, with steep slopes indicating a sharp incline, while gentle slopes indicate a slight incline. It is measured as the change in terrain elevation over a given horizontal distance and is expressed either as a percentage or in degrees.
Detailed slope profiles can be created to assist in understanding the topography which can then influence land use planning, such as designing logging systems that reduce erosion or setting up appropriate conservation practices.
