Invasive Species Presence

AUS-TSR-LVG-ISP General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

10 t/ha

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MinimumOnly

Evidence & Context

Andropogon gayanus increasing fine fuel loads from a native baseline of ~6 t/ha to >10 t/ha triggers a catastrophic shift in fire intensity from ~2,000 kW/m to >15,000 kW/m, transforming the ecosystem.

Metric Definition:

Fine fuel load threshold for Andropogon gayanus (Gamba grass) indicating ecosystem tipping point.

Benchmark Definition:

Fuel load above 10 t/ha is a detrimental threshold for Gamba grass.

Justification:

Fuel loads above this level cause a fundamental shift in fire regime and ecosystem transformation.

Sources (1)

Preview of BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH: Turning up the heat: the impacts of Andropogon gayanus (gamba grass) invasion on fire behaviour in northern Australian savannas | Request PDF - ResearchGate

BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH: Turning up the heat: the impacts of Andropogon gayanus (gamba grass) invasion on fire behaviour in northern Australian savannas | Request PDF - ResearchGate Journal

The impacts of Andropogon gayanus (gamba grass) invasion on the fire danger index and fire management at a landscape scale - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,

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Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Fighting Plagues and Predators - CSIRO, accessed July 19, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Fighting Plagues and Predators - CSIRO, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source

Impact threshold for an alien plant invader, Lantana camara L., on native plant communities

Direct Evidence Journal

Impact threshold for an alien plant invader, Lantana camara L., on native plant communities, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source

www.publish.csiro.au, accessed May 20, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

The threats to Australia's imperilled species and implications for a national conservation response - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Retired
Version 1
Effective From 21 Mar 2026
Effective To 21 Mar 2026

Notes

This threshold marks the point at which fire intensity increases dramatically, leading to ecosystem degradation.

Related Benchmarks

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