Litter Cover — Benchmark Detail - Nature Index

Benchmark Value

70 %

Range: 50 to 80 %

Thresholds: Lower: 50, Upper: 80

Optimal Range: 50 to 80

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: Point

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 14 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 13 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

The 70% benchmark represents a best-on-offer condition for regenerative annual cropping in Australia's temperate semi-arid woodlands.

Metric Definition:

Litter Cover (%)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the best-on-offer litter cover condition for regenerative annual cropping in Australia's temperate semi-arid woodlands, indicating a high-functioning system under best-practice management.

Justification:

The 70% benchmark is justified as it provides a substantial buffer above the 50% critical threshold for wind erosion and meets the 70% target for controlling water erosion, representing a high-functioning system under best-practice management.

Sources (2)

Preview of The pros and cons of stubble retention - Riverine Plains

The pros and cons of stubble retention - Riverine Plains Journal

WA Stubble Retention booklet - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

Preview of WA Stubble Retention booklet - GRDC

WA Stubble Retention booklet - GRDC Journal

WA Stubble Retention booklet - GRDC

Supporting Sources (16)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of "Managing for stubble retention" by Linda Leonard - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed July 8, 2025,

"Managing for stubble retention" by Linda Leonard - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

"Managing for stubble retention" by Linda Leonard - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed July 8, 2025,

Preview of Ch 3. Amount of Organic Matter in Soils - SARE, accessed July 8, 2025,

Ch 3. Amount of Organic Matter in Soils - SARE, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Ch 3. Amount of Organic Matter in Soils - SARE, accessed July 8, 2025,

Preview of Crop Litter Has a Strong Effect on Soil Organic Matter Sequestration in Semi-Arid Environments - MDPI, accessed July 8, 2025,

Crop Litter Has a Strong Effect on Soil Organic Matter Sequestration in Semi-Arid Environments - MDPI, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Crop Litter Has a Strong Effect on Soil Organic Matter Sequestration in Semi-Arid Environments - MDPI, accessed July 8, 2025,

Preview of Ground Cover Monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed July 8, 2025,

Ground Cover Monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support

Ground Cover Monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed July 8, 2025,

Preview of Ground Cover Monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed May 11, 2025

Ground Cover Monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed May 11, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Grazing-management-for-soil-carbon-in-Australia-A-review.pdf - University of Tasmania, accessed April 29, 2025,

Preview of Is sustainable intensification of cropping systems achievable? - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

Is sustainable intensification of cropping systems achievable? - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Is sustainable intensification of cropping systems achievable? - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

Preview of Opportunities and Challenges for Cover Cropping in Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Southern Australia - MDPI, accessed July 18, 2025,

Opportunities and Challenges for Cover Cropping in Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Southern Australia - MDPI, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Developments in stubble retention in cropping systems in southern Australia, accessed July 27, 2025,

Preview of Principles of Cover Cropping for Arid and Semi-arid Farming Systems | New Mexico State University - BE BOLD. Shape the Future., accessed July 8, 2025,

Principles of Cover Cropping for Arid and Semi-arid Farming Systems | New Mexico State University - BE BOLD. Shape the Future., accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Managing ground cover in the cropping zone of southern NSW, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Regenerative agriculture - Wikipedia, accessed August 8, 2025

Regenerative agriculture - Wikipedia, accessed August 8, 2025

Contextual Support

Regenerative agriculture - Wikipedia, accessed August 28, 2025

Preview of Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 28, 2025,

Preview of Semi-arid woodlands (shrubby sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )

Semi-arid woodlands (shrubby sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )

Contextual Support Government

Semi-arid woodlands (grassy sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )

Preview of Stubble Management Guidelines - Upper North Farming Systems, accessed July 8, 2025,

Stubble Management Guidelines - Upper North Farming Systems, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed August 13, 2025,

Preview of The effect of stubble on nitrogen tie-up and supply - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

The effect of stubble on nitrogen tie-up and supply - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support

Ground cover monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of WESTERN REGION - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

WESTERN REGION - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Managing stubble | General agronomy | Crop production | Grains ...

Preview of Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed May 19, 2025

Preview of Woodlands of Australia - A biography of the Australian continent, accessed July 12, 2025,

Woodlands of Australia - A biography of the Australian continent, accessed July 12, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Semi-arid woodlands (shrubby sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 8, 2025, )

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 20 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 50 %. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 80 %. The optimal range is 50-80%, securing erosion control and moisture conservation benefits while remaining within a zone where negative impacts of excessive stubble are manageable. Above ~80% cover, significant agronomic challenges arise including nitrogen immobilisation, pest/disease pressure, and reduced herbicide efficacy.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-AGR-LIT family.