Ground Cover - Tree Canopy

AUS-AKW-LVG-TCC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

15 %

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 20

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 11 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 10 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

Therefore, the upper detrimental threshold can be set at the point where the system begins to lose its "open" character. A tree canopy cover consistently exceeding ~15-20% across the landscape signifies this shift.

Metric Definition:

Tree Canopy Cover percentage

Benchmark Definition:

The maximum tree canopy cover percentage before the onset of woody encroachment in Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands, beyond which ecosystem health declines.

Justification:

Canopy cover above this level leads to regime shift to woody encroachment with negative impacts on forage and biodiversity.

Sources (1)

Preview of Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025

Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025 Journal

(PDF) Soil potassium—crop response calibration relationships and ..., accessed July 24, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

An inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of ...

Direct Evidence Journal

Revision of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) and the Development of Version 5.1 - Summary Report - DCCEEW, accessed July 15, 2025,

View Source

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 11 – Eucalypt open woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 11 – Eucalypt open woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 19 Mar 2026

Notes

Exceeding ~15-20% tree canopy cover signifies a detrimental regime shift.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AKW-LVG-TCC family.