Litter Cover
Benchmark Value
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 17 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 16 guard(s) constrain the result.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
The NSW DPI guideline explicitly states that a minimum of 70% groundcover is necessary to protect the soil surface from raindrop impact and surface water flow.
Total Ground Cover (Litter + Low-lying vegetation) minimum threshold to prevent soil degradation.
Minimum groundcover required to adequately protect soil from erosion.
Derived directly from the NSW Department of Primary Industries' Best Management Practices guideline.
Sources (1)
Best Management Practices for retained areas in forestry plantations ...
View SourceSupporting Sources (23)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
2020 amendment of the Code | Forest Practices Authority, accessed August 9, 2025,
View Source
Approved Conservation Advice - Appendices for the Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt, accessed August 9, 2025,
View Source
Conservation Advice for Lowland Grassy Woodland in the South East Corner Bioregion, accessed August 6, 2025
View Source
AUSTRALIA'S STATE OF THE FORESTS REPORT - DAFF, accessed August 28, 2025,
View SourceForest Management Plan frequently asked questions | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, accessed August 9, 2025,
View SourceBest Management Practices, Estimated Erosion, Residual Woody Debris, and Ground Cover Characteristics Following Biomass and Conventional Clearcut Harvests in Virginia's Mountains | Forest Science | Oxford Academic, accessed August 9, 2025,
View SourceCover-related Remote Sensing Data Products - atlassian, accessed August 9, 2025,
View SourceCriteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in Victoria, accessed August 9, 2025,
View SourceDEA Fractional Cover (Landsat) v2.2.1 - DEA Knowledge Hub - Geoscience Australia, accessed August 9, 2025,
View SourceLitter accumulation and fire risks show direct and indirect climate-dependence at continental scale - PubMed Central, accessed August 9, 2025,
View SourceForest Management Plan | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, accessed August 9, 2025,
View SourceAustralia's forests – overview - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025
View Source
Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands of the VVP: Landholders Guide - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025,
View SourceGrassy eucalypt woodland of the Victorian volcanic plain - listing advice, accessed August 9, 2025,
View SourceApproved Conservation Advice for the White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland - DCCEEW, accessed August 9, 2025,
View SourceRestoring Australia's temperate grasslands and grassy woodlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 19, 2025,
View SourceSoil Health Indicators Used in Temperate Climates for Sustainable Soil Management | Soil Science Cases - CABI Digital Library, accessed August 9, 2025,
View Source
Guidelines for Plantation forestry in south australia 2009 - Department of Primary Industries and Regions, accessed July 19, 2025,
View SourceNew York State Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality Field Guide, accessed August 10, 2025
View SourceTERN AusCover Satellite Remote Sensing Data Products - UQ eSpace, accessed August 9, 2025,
View SourceThe Australian Land Use and Management Classification Version 8 - DAFF, accessed August 9, 2025,
View Source
A Revegetation Guide for Eucalypt Woodlands - Greening Australia, accessed August 12, 2025,
View SourceWoodlands - DCCEEW, accessed May 19, 2025
View Source