Litter Cover
Benchmark Value
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 17 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 16 guard(s) constrain the result.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
A litter cover below 40-50% is considered critically low, as it significantly increases the risk of wind and water erosion, a key threatening process in this environment.
Critical lower threshold percentage of litter cover below which ecosystem function is impaired due to increased erosion risk.
Lower critical threshold for litter cover to prevent soil erosion and maintain ecosystem function in the Arid Inland Floodplains biome under production forestry.
Supported by national ground cover monitoring programs and Queensland government guidelines indicating increased erosion risk below this range.
Sources (2)
Ground cover monitoring for Australia - DAFF
View SourceStructural controls on the orientation of erosion gullies in mid-western New South Wales, Australia, accessed August 1, 2025,
View SourceSupporting Sources (2)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Restoration thinning has minor and temporary effects on understorey fuels in a regrowth eucalypt floodplain forest under conservation management - CSIRO Publishing
View SourceThe relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed July 28, 2025,
View Source