Bare Ground — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

10 %

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. The scoring engine uses 4 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

the proposed reference value of <10% Bare Ground (targeting <5% for the majority of the year) is an ecologically-informed target

Metric Definition:

Bare Ground (%)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum acceptable percentage of bare ground in agricultural crop production within the Australian Alpine and Subalpine Complex, aiming to maintain ecological health by keeping bare ground below 10%, with a target of less than 5% for most of the year.

Justification:

Derived from core principles of regenerative agriculture, observations from healthy natural alpine ecosystems, and general soil conservation guidelines.

Sources (1)

Preview of Wahren, C-H., Williams, R.J. & Papst, W.A. (2001). Early post-fire regeneration in subalpine heathland and grassland in the Victorian Alpine National Park, south-eastern Australia

Wahren, C-H., Williams, R.J. & Papst, W.A. (2001). Early post-fire regeneration in subalpine heathland and grassland in the Victorian Alpine National Park, south-eastern Australia GreyLiterature

MANAGING ERODED SOILS - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), accessed on May 29, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (8)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Alpine Grazing Taskforce. (2005). Report of the Alpine Grazing Taskforce. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of grazing on alpine grassland soil available nutrients across the Tibetan Plateau

View Source

Caring for our Australian Alps Catchments, accessed August 28, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Patterns of variation in Australian alpine soils and their relationships to parent material, vegetation formation, climate and t, accessed May 27, 2025

View Source

Dynamic Modelling of Water and Wind Erosion in Australia over the Past Two Decades - MDPI, accessed on May 29, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Dynamic Modelling of Water and Wind Erosion in Australia over the Past Two Decades - MDPI, accessed on May 29, 2025

View Source

Estimating ground cover percentage - DCCEEW, accessed July 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Methodology Source Government

Biodiversity Conservation Trust Livestock grazing guidelines, accessed April 29, 2025,

View Source

Nature and biodiversity | Australian Alps National Parks

Contextual Support Government

theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on June 5, 2025

View Source

Regenerative agriculture reduces fuel and fertiliser bill for Mulgowie ..., accessed on May 29, 2025

Contextual Support

Regenerative agriculture reduces fuel and fertiliser bill for Mulgowie ..., accessed on May 29, 2025

View Source

theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Phosphorus Nutrition of Proteaceae in Severely Phosphorus-Impoverished Soils: Are There Lessons To Be Learned for Future Crops? - PubMed Central

View Source

Tracking progress | Goulburn Broken Regional Catchment Strategy

Contextual Support

Tracking progress | Goulburn Broken Regional Catchment Strategy, accessed on May 29, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Agricultural Biodiversity Target
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 26 May 2026

Notes

Target <5% for the majority of the year.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-AGR-BAR family.