Invasive Species Presence

AUS-TDG-LVG-ISP General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

10 %
Range: 0 to 10 %
Thresholds: Lower: 0, Upper: 30
Optimal Range: 0 to 10
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Contributing Benchmarks

CompositeFramework Primary OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard CompositeFramework Guard CompositeFramework Guard LowerThreshold Guard MinimumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on the findings of O'Loughlin et al. (2017), specifically the data presented visually in their Figure 3, the mean percentage cover of exotic plant species in the Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) – representing the best available condition under low-impact grazing – was consistently <10% across the three monitoring years (2008, 2010, 2012).

Metric Definition:

Percentage cover of exotic (non-native) plant species as a proxy for invasive species presence.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum desirable percentage cover of exotic plant species as an indicator of invasive species presence in temperate dry woodlands and native grasslands under livestock grazing in Australia.

Justification:

The benchmark is based on empirical data from Travelling Stock Reserves representing low-impact grazing with documented lower exotic cover, serving as the best available proxy for high ecological condition under sustainable grazing.

Sources (3)

Preview of Australian Government Department of the Environment. (2016). Approved Conservation Advice (including listing advice) for the Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands (EC 152).
Australian Government Department of the Environment. (2016). Approved Conservation Advice (including listing advice) for the Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands (EC 152). Journal

Natural grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern NSW and southern Qld, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of O'Loughlin, T., et al. (2017). The importance of travelling stock reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands. Australian Journal of Botany, 65(7), 507–516.
O'Loughlin, T., et al. (2017). The importance of travelling stock reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands. Australian Journal of Botany, 65(7), 507–516. Journal

O'Loughlin, T., et al. (2017). The importance of travelling stock reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands. Australian Journal of Botany, 65(7), 507–516.

View Source
Preview of Rehwinkel, R. (2014). A Revised Floristic Value Scoring Method for Use in Assessing Grassland Condition in South-eastern NSW.
Rehwinkel, R. (2014). A Revised Floristic Value Scoring Method for Use in Assessing Grassland Condition in South-eastern NSW. Journal

Rehwinkel, R. (2014). A Revised Floristic Value Scoring Method for Use in Assessing Grassland Condition in South-eastern NSW.

View Source

Supporting Sources (7)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Dorrough, J., Yen, A., Turner, V., Clark, S. G., Crosthwaite, J., & Hirth, J. R. (2004). Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 55(3), 279-295.
Dorrough, J., Yen, A., Turner, V., Clark, S. G., Crosthwaite, J., & Hirth, J. R. (2004). Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 55(3), 279-295.
Contextual Support

Dorrough, J., Yen, A., Turner, V., Clark, S. G., Crosthwaite, J., & Hirth, J. R. (2004). Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 55(3), 279-295.

View Source
Preview of Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025
Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Yellow Box – Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived ...

View Source
Preview of Guja, L. K., Bond, W. J., & Lunt, I. D. (2021). Land-use legacies limit the effectiveness of switches in disturbance type to restore endangered grasslands. Restoration Ecology, 29(S1), e13238.
Guja, L. K., Bond, W. J., & Lunt, I. D. (2021). Land-use legacies limit the effectiveness of switches in disturbance type to restore endangered grasslands. Restoration Ecology, 29(S1), e13238.
Contextual Support

Guja, L. K., Bond, W. J., & Lunt, I. D. (2021). Land-use legacies limit the effectiveness of switches in disturbance type to restore endangered grasslands. Restoration Ecology, 29(S1), e13238.

View Source
Preview of Invasive species, problematic native species, and diseases ..., accessed May 20, 2025,
Invasive species, problematic native species, and diseases ..., accessed May 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) - Australian Association of Bush Regenerators

View Source
Preview of Johnston, M. E. H. (1998). Correlations between environmental factors, the biomass of exotic annual grasses and the frequency of native perennial grasses. Australian Journal of Botany, 46(3), 413-426.
Johnston, M. E. H. (1998). Correlations between environmental factors, the biomass of exotic annual grasses and the frequency of native perennial grasses. Australian Journal of Botany, 46(3), 413-426.
Contextual Support Journal

Johnston, M. E. H. (1998). Correlations between environmental factors, the biomass of exotic annual grasses and the frequency of native perennial grasses. Australian Journal of Botany, 46(3), 413-426.

View Source
Preview of Lodge, G. M., & Whalley, R. D. B. (1998). Ecological principles for the management of Australian temperate perennial grasslands. Proceedings of the 18th International Grassland Congress, Vol. 3, 29-37.
Lodge, G. M., & Whalley, R. D. B. (1998). Ecological principles for the management of Australian temperate perennial grasslands. Proceedings of the 18th International Grassland Congress, Vol. 3, 29-37.
Contextual Support Journal

Lodge, G. M., & Whalley, R. D. B. (1998). Ecological principles for the management of Australian temperate perennial grasslands. Proceedings of the 18th International Grassland Congress, Vol. 3, 29-37.

View Source
Preview of Standish, R. J., Cramer, V. A., Hobbs, R. J., & Kobryn, H. T. (2011). Fencing enhances vegetation recovery in remnant woodlands in the Western Australian wheatbelt. Australian Journal of Botany, 59(3), 224-233.
Standish, R. J., Cramer, V. A., Hobbs, R. J., & Kobryn, H. T. (2011). Fencing enhances vegetation recovery in remnant woodlands in the Western Australian wheatbelt. Australian Journal of Botany, 59(3), 224-233.
Contextual Support Journal

Standish, R. J., Cramer, V. A., Hobbs, R. J., & Kobryn, H. T. (2011). Fencing enhances vegetation recovery in remnant woodlands in the Western Australian wheatbelt. Australian Journal of Botany, 59(3), 224-233.

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 21 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 0 %. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 30 %. Optimal range is 0-10 %. The benchmark uses percentage cover of exotic plants as a proxy for invasive species presence, reflecting conditions under low-impact grazing management.