Invasive Species Presence

AUS-AMR-IND-ISP General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

30 %

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 30

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.

Evidence & Context

For invasive grasses like Buffel Grass, a specific cover threshold of >30% has been identified as the point of ecosystem dominance.

Metric Definition:

Foliage cover percentage of Buffel Grass

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum foliage cover percentage of Buffel Grass, beyond which it dominates the ecosystem and alters fire regimes and ecosystem function in the Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands biome under Industrial & Infrastructure Use.

Justification:

This level is quantitatively defined as 'dominance,' the point at which the weed dramatically alters site function, particularly fire behaviour, leading to the death of mature native trees and preventing recruitment.