Invasive Species Presence

AUS-TSW-LVG-ISP General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Thresholds: Lower: 30, Upper: —
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: LowerThreshold

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

At a landscape scale, one study identified a critical threshold where the risk of Buffel Grass invading remnant woodland patches increases dramatically once the amount of native vegetation in the surrounding 1-km landscape drops below approximately 30%.

Metric Definition:

Landscape scale native vegetation cover threshold below which Buffel Grass invasion risk increases dramatically.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the critical landscape native vegetation cover threshold below which the risk of Buffel Grass invasion increases significantly in temperate semi-arid woodlands.

Justification:

Below 30% native vegetation cover, Buffel Grass invasion risk increases dramatically.

Sources (1)

Preview of The importance of Travelling Stock Reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands - ANU Open Research, accessed July 10, 2025
The importance of Travelling Stock Reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands - ANU Open Research, accessed July 10, 2025 Journal

The importance of Travelling Stock Reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands - ANU Open Research

View Source

Supporting Sources (10)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025
(PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Fertilisers and the environment - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) - NSW WeedWise, accessed July 10, 2025
African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) - NSW WeedWise, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support Government

African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) - NSW WeedWise

View Source
Preview of African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) - NSW WeedWise, accessed July 13, 2025
African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) - NSW WeedWise, accessed July 13, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) - Australian Association of Bush Regenerators

View Source
Preview of Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 10, 2025,
Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 12, 2025,

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 NVIS Fact sheet MVG 32 – Mallee open woodlands and ... - DCCEEW, accessed July 13, 2025,
NVIS Fact sheet MVG 32 – Mallee open woodlands and ... - DCCEEW, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 32 – Mallee open woodlands and sparse mallee shrublands - DCCEEW, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of O'Loughlin, T., O'Loughlin, L. S., Michael, D. R., Wood, J. T., Waudby ..., accessed July 10, 2025
O'Loughlin, T., O'Loughlin, L. S., Michael, D. R., Wood, J. T., Waudby ..., accessed July 10, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

O'Loughlin, T., O'Loughlin, L. S., Michael, D. R., Wood, J. T., Waudby ...

View Source
Preview of Ranking buffel: Comparative risk and mitigation costs of key ..., accessed July 6, 2025,
Ranking buffel: Comparative risk and mitigation costs of key ..., accessed July 6, 2025,
Degradation Threshold Journal

Impacts of Serrated Tussock, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source
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

View Source
Preview of The importance of temperate woodland in travelling stock reserves for vertebrate biodiversity conservation | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 15, 2025,
The importance of temperate woodland in travelling stock reserves for vertebrate biodiversity conservation | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 15, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

The importance of temperate woodland in travelling stock reserves for vertebrate biodiversity conservation | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 17, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Landscape scale threshold for invasion risk.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-LVG-ISP family.

— % High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Conservation Target
CompositeFramework Active v1