Invasive Species Presence

AUS-TDG-AGR-ISP General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 1 to 5 %

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 40

Optimal Range: 1 to 5

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: OptimalRange

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 CompositeFramework Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

Considering these examples of achievable outcomes, a benchmark representing the "best available condition" is proposed as: ≤1-5% cover of declared noxious weeds or highly competitive invasive plant species known to significantly impact ecological integrity.

Metric Definition:

Percent cover of declared noxious weeds or highly competitive invasive plant species impacting ecological integrity.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the best available condition for invasive species cover in temperate dry woodlands and native grasslands under agricultural crop production in Australia, aiming for minimal ecological impact with invasive cover between 1% and 5%.

Justification:

The proposed benchmark of ≤1-5% cover of problematic invasive species is grounded in documented evidence of successful, significant reductions of invasive grass cover to very low levels in Australian grassy ecosystems through dedicated and effective management strategies. The study on Eragrostis curvula in temperate grassy woodlands managed for native pasture is particularly pertinent, aligning with the target biome and the ethos of integrating agricultural production with ecological health.

Sources (2)

Preview of The effectiveness of weed control in a threatened plant community ..., accessed May 10, 2025,

The effectiveness of weed control in a threatened plant community ..., accessed May 10, 2025, Journal

A checklist of attributes for effective monitoring of threatened species and threatened ecosystems - Charles Darwin University, accessed August 8, 2025,

Preview of Yasui, S.L. (2021). Managing the Community: Assessing the efficacy of invasive plant control strategies in Australian grassy ecosystems from deserts to dairy country.

Yasui, S.L. (2021). Managing the Community: Assessing the efficacy of invasive plant control strategies in Australian grassy ecosystems from deserts to dairy country.

Supporting Sources (36)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Why non-native grasses pose a critical emerging threat to ..., accessed May 10, 2025,

(PDF) Why non-native grasses pose a critical emerging threat to ..., accessed May 10, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Why non-native grasses pose a critical emerging threat to ..., accessed May 10, 2025,

Preview of A strategy for dealing with invasive species in Australia, accessed August 12, 2025,

A strategy for dealing with invasive species in Australia, accessed August 12, 2025,

Regulatory Framework GreyLiterature

The impacts of invasive plant species on biodiversity of Australian rangelands

Preview of African Lovegrass - Bega Valley Shire Council, accessed August 12, 2025,

African Lovegrass - Bega Valley Shire Council, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support

African Lovegrass - Bega Valley Shire Council, accessed August 12, 2025,

Preview of African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) - NSW WeedWise, accessed August 12, 2025,

African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) - NSW WeedWise, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) - NSW WeedWise, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Australia state of the environment 2016: land, accessed July 15, 2025,

Australia state of the environment 2016: land, accessed July 15, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

soe2021-biodiversity.pdf - Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed May 10, 2025,

Preview of Best Practice - Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party, accessed August 12, 2025,

Best Practice - Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Best Practice - Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party, accessed August 12, 2025,

Preview of Can intensification of temperate Australian livestock production systems save land for native biodiversity? | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025

Can intensification of temperate Australian livestock production systems save land for native biodiversity? | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Can intensification of temperate Australian livestock production systems save land for native biodiversity? | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2025,

Preview of Case studies - SER AUSTRALASIA, accessed August 12, 2025,

Case studies - SER AUSTRALASIA, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Case studies - SER AUSTRALASIA, accessed August 12, 2025,

Preview of Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana) - NSW WeedWise, accessed August 12, 2025,

Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana) - NSW WeedWise, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana) - NSW WeedWise, accessed August 12, 2025,

Preview of Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana) - Weed Management Guide - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 12, 2025,

Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana) - Weed Management Guide - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana) - Weed Management Guide - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 12, 2025,

Preview of Economic and environmental impacts of rabbits in Australia - PestSmart, accessed August 12, 2025,

Economic and environmental impacts of rabbits in Australia - PestSmart, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Economic and environmental impacts of rabbits in Australia - PestSmart, accessed August 12, 2025,

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 ...

Preview of eprints.qut.edu.au, accessed May 10, 2025,

eprints.qut.edu.au, accessed May 10, 2025,

Direct Evidence

eprints.qut.edu.au, accessed May 10, 2025,

Preview of Fighting Plagues and Predators - CSIRO, accessed August 12, 2025,

Fighting Plagues and Predators - CSIRO, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Fighting plagues and predators to protect Australia's biodiversity - CSIRO, accessed August 9, 2025,

Preview of Humane management of invasive species - DAFF, accessed August 12, 2025,

Humane management of invasive species - DAFF, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Humane management of invasive species - DAFF, accessed July 6, 2025

Preview of IGC Proceedings (1989-2023): Vegetation Changes in Southeast Australian Temperate Grasslands - UKnowledge, accessed August 12, 2025,

IGC Proceedings (1989-2023): Vegetation Changes in Southeast Australian Temperate Grasslands - UKnowledge, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

IGC Proceedings (1989-2023): Vegetation Changes in Southeast Australian Temperate Grasslands - UKnowledge, accessed August 12, 2025,

Preview of Integrated Management Strategies for the Control of Serrated Tussock in Inaccessible Native Pastures - MLA, accessed August 12, 2025,

Integrated Management Strategies for the Control of Serrated Tussock in Inaccessible Native Pastures - MLA, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Integrated Management Strategies for the Control of Serrated Tussock in Inaccessible Native Pastures - MLA, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Invasion of native plant communities by exotic perennial grasses ..., accessed August 12, 2025,

Invasion of native plant communities by exotic perennial grasses ..., accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

How Urbanisation in Australia is Increasing Pest Infestations, accessed August 11, 2025,

Preview of INVASIVE GRASSES WEED FACT SHEET, accessed August 12, 2025,

INVASIVE GRASSES WEED FACT SHEET, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Invasive Plants in Australia: What You Can do to Control the Spread, accessed August 28, 2025,

Preview of Invasive Species in Australia, accessed August 12, 2025,

Invasive Species in Australia, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Invasive Species in Australia, accessed July 7, 2025

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

Preview of Management of specific pressures | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 12, 2025,

Management of specific pressures | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Management of specific pressures | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 12, 2025,

Preview of Natural Temperate Grasslands - Landcare ACT, accessed August 12, 2025,

Natural Temperate Grasslands - Landcare ACT, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Natural Temperate Grasslands - Landcare ACT, accessed August 12, 2025,

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

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

Preview of Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 12, 2025,

Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Vegetation change in an urban grassy woodland 1974–2000 - CSIRO Publishing

Preview of Protect remnant vegetation – ANU Sustainable Farms, accessed August 4, 2025

Protect remnant vegetation – ANU Sustainable Farms, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in Temperate Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review - ACT Government, accessed May 19, 2025

Preview of Recent initiatives in biodiversity conservation in grazed temperate grasslands and woodlands in Australia - UKnowledge, accessed August 12, 2025,

Recent initiatives in biodiversity conservation in grazed temperate grasslands and woodlands in Australia - UKnowledge, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support

Australia's forests – overview - DAFF, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Regenerative Agriculture Case Studies - Landscape SA, accessed August 12, 2025,

Regenerative Agriculture Case Studies - Landscape SA, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Regenerative Agriculture Case Studies - Landscape South Australia, accessed July 23, 2025

Preview of Restricted invasive plants - Business Queensland, accessed August 12, 2025,

Restricted invasive plants - Business Queensland, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Two new reports reveal the true cost of managing invasive species ..., accessed August 9, 2025,

Preview of Serrated tussock - Australian Wool Innovation, accessed August 12, 2025,

Serrated tussock - Australian Wool Innovation, accessed August 12, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Serrated tussock - Australian Wool Innovation, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) - Australian Association of Bush Regenerators, accessed August 12, 2025,

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) - Australian Association of Bush Regenerators, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) - Australian Association of Bush Regenerators, accessed August 12, 2025,

Preview of Serrated Tussock | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 12, 2025,

Serrated Tussock | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Serrated Tussock | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 12, 2025,

Preview of Southeast Australia Temperate Forests | One Earth, accessed August 12, 2025,

Southeast Australia Temperate Forests | One Earth, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in Temperate Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review - ACT Government

Preview of Submission - Regulation, control and management of invasive species and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation, accessed August 12, 2025,

Submission - Regulation, control and management of invasive species and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Submission - Regulation, control and management of invasive species and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation, accessed July 13, 2025,

Preview of The effectiveness of weed control in a threatened plant community: A grassland case study.

The effectiveness of weed control in a threatened plant community: A grassland case study.

Contextual Support Journal

Post-fire recovery of Australia's threatened woodlands: Avoiding ..., accessed May 10, 2025,

Preview of Weeds and pests are a bigger headache than in previous years: ABARES survey, accessed August 12, 2025,

Weeds and pests are a bigger headache than in previous years: ABARES survey, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Weeds and pests are a bigger headache than in previous years: ABARES survey, accessed August 12, 2025,

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 21 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: any presence above this benchmark range indicates increasing risk to ecological health. Upper Detrimental Threshold: >40% non-native cover is clearly detrimental; however, impacts from aggressive invasives can occur at much lower densities. Benchmark represents an achievable state under best-practice, active management in relevant Australian ecosystems, aiming for minimal ecological impact. The lower end (≤1%) reflects exceptional outcomes. This range is significantly below levels known to cause major ecological degradation.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-AGR-ISP family.