Gully Density

AUS-TSR-LVG-GUL General High confidence

Benchmark Value

0 m/ha
Range: 0 to 0 m/ha
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 0
Optimal Range: 0 to 0
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: Point

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 9 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 8 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard Point Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Reference Value: The ideal reference value for active gully density is 0 m/ha. This reflects the "no erosion" standard of 'A' condition land.

Metric Definition:

Active gully density measured as length of active gully erosion per hectare of land area.

Benchmark Definition:

Active gully density is the length of active, accelerated gully erosion per hectare of land area, with zero representing the ideal no-erosion condition in tropical and subtropical rainforest grazing lands.

Justification:

The benchmark is supported by the qualitative definition of 'A' condition land requiring no erosion, large-scale mapping showing very low to no gully presence, and studies showing cessation of erosion under grazing exclusion.

Sources (2)

Preview of Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (Shellberg et al. 2016)
Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (Shellberg et al. 2016) Journal

Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (Shellberg et al. 2016)

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Preview of www.publications.qld.gov.au, accessed May 13, 2025
www.publications.qld.gov.au, accessed May 13, 2025 Journal

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub

View Source

Supporting Sources (31)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of A Revegetation Guide for Sub-Tropical Forest - Greening Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,
A Revegetation Guide for Sub-Tropical Forest - Greening Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

A Revegetation Guide for Sub-Tropical Forest - Greening Australia, accessed July 18, 2025

View Source
Preview of A Revegetation Guide for Sub-Tropical Forest - Greening Australia, accessed July 19, 2025
A Revegetation Guide for Sub-Tropical Forest - Greening Australia, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

A Revegetation Guide for Sub-Tropical Forest - Greening Australia, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Agricultural ERA standard for beef cattle grazing - version 2 - Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, accessed July 19, 2025
Agricultural ERA standard for beef cattle grazing - version 2 - Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Agricultural ERA standard for beef cattle grazing - version 2 - Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Assessment of UAV and Ground-Based Structure from Motion with, accessed July 19, 2025
Assessment of UAV and Ground-Based Structure from Motion with, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Assessment of UAV and Ground-Based Structure from Motion with, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Chapter 13 Gully erosion and its control - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 12, 2025
Chapter 13 Gully erosion and its control - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Gully erosion and environmental change: importance and research needs, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of CLEARING OUR RAINFALL AWAY - Cloudfront.net, accessed July 19, 2025
CLEARING OUR RAINFALL AWAY - Cloudfront.net, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Natural Values of North East NSW - Cloudfront.net, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of collation and review of stem density data and thinning prescriptions ..., accessed July 10, 2025,
collation and review of stem density data and thinning prescriptions ..., accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support

collation and review of stem density data and thinning prescriptions for the vegetation communities of new south - Environment and Heritage, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Digging up the dirt on water quality on the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO, accessed July 19, 2025,
Digging up the dirt on water quality on the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Digging up the dirt on water quality on the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO, accessed July 18, 2025

View Source
Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support

Ludwig, J.A., Bastin, G.N., Chewings, V.H., Eager, R.W., and Liedloff, A.C. (2005). Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes. Rangeland Journal, 27(2), 135-149.

View Source
Preview of ecollaboration.org.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
ecollaboration.org.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Gully Erosion | ECOllaboration, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Effect of reduced grazing pressure on sediment and nutrient yields in savanna rangeland streams draining to the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO Research Publications Repository
Effect of reduced grazing pressure on sediment and nutrient yields in savanna rangeland streams draining to the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO Research Publications Repository
Contextual Support Journal

Hillslope gully erosion in savanna rangelands tributary to the Great ..., accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of FLORA - Bundanon, accessed July 19, 2025
FLORA - Bundanon, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

FLORA - Bundanon, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Getting ground cover right: thresholds and baselines for a healthier reef RRRD027, accessed July 19, 2025
Getting ground cover right: thresholds and baselines for a healthier reef RRRD027, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Sustainable management of the Burdekin grazing lands - FutureBeef, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Grazing Lands - Northern Gulf NRM Plan, accessed July 30, 2025
Grazing Lands - Northern Gulf NRM Plan, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Grazing Lands - Northern Gulf NRM Plan, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Gully density map of the study assessment area (kilometres... - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025,
Gully density map of the study assessment area (kilometres... - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Gully erosion prediction across a large region ... - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Gully erosion in north-eastern Australian rangelands as a result of fragile soils, seasonal drought and grazing. Photo - ResearchGate, accessed August 12, 2025
Gully erosion in north-eastern Australian rangelands as a result of fragile soils, seasonal drought and grazing. Photo - ResearchGate, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Hillslope runoff and erosion on duplex soils in grazing lands in semi-arid central Queensland. I. Influences of cover, slope, and soil - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed August 1, 2025,
Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Australia's State of the Forests Report, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (RP66G) Summary Report - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 1, 2025,
Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (RP66G) Summary Report - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

INNOVATIONS FOR REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPE ... - Soils For Life

View Source
Preview of Hillslope gully erosion in savanna rangelands tributary to the Great Barrier Reef: Investigation of hydrogeomorphic processes - USC Research Bank, accessed July 22, 2025,
Hillslope gully erosion in savanna rangelands tributary to the Great Barrier Reef: Investigation of hydrogeomorphic processes - USC Research Bank, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Using high-resolution topography for spatial prioritisation of gully erosion management across catchments of the Great Barrier Reef, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Identification of priority pollutants and priority areas in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - Reef & Rainforest Research Centre, accessed July 20, 2025,
Identification of priority pollutants and priority areas in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - Reef & Rainforest Research Centre, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Improving gully density maps for modelling water quality within Great Barrier Reef Catchments - MSSANZ, accessed July 20, 2025,
Improving gully density maps for modelling water quality within Great Barrier Reef Catchments - MSSANZ, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Improving how gully erosion and river sediment transport processes are represented in Queensland catchment models, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Managing ground cover for economic and sustainability outcomes on grazing lands in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon catchments. - Queensland Government publications, accessed May 11, 2025,
Managing ground cover for economic and sustainability outcomes on grazing lands in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon catchments. - Queensland Government publications, accessed May 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Effect of reduced grazing pressure on sediment and nutrient yields in savanna rangeland streams draining to the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Modelling reductions of pollutant loads due to improved ..., accessed July 19, 2025
Modelling reductions of pollutant loads due to improved ..., accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

MANAGING NATIVE GRASSLAND - Hotspots Fire Project, accessed August 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Motivations, risks and skills of graziers to inform extension for management of high levels of ground cover - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 19, 2025
Motivations, risks and skills of graziers to inform extension for management of high levels of ground cover - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers, accessed July 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell ..., accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Pasture management for South East Queensland - FutureBeef, accessed July 19, 2025
Pasture management for South East Queensland - FutureBeef, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Understanding Soils and Nutrients - Australian Native Plants Society (Australia)

View Source
Preview of Program - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025,
Program - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Review of soil erosion modelling involving water with field applications - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Reducing sediment sources to the Reef: Managing alluvial gully erosion - NESP TWQ, accessed July 19, 2025
Reducing sediment sources to the Reef: Managing alluvial gully erosion - NESP TWQ, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Reducing sediment sources to the Reef: Managing alluvial gully erosion - NESP TWQ, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Reef protection regulations Grazing guide Version 2 - Queensland ..., accessed July 19, 2025
Reef protection regulations Grazing guide Version 2 - Queensland ..., accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Assessing gully erosion and rehabilitation using multi temporal LiDAR DEMs: Case study from the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Sustainable Agriculture | NQ Dry Tropics, accessed July 18, 2025,
Sustainable Agriculture | NQ Dry Tropics, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Chapter 13 Gully erosion and its control - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of What determines soil organic carbon stocks in the grazing lands of north-eastern Australia?
What determines soil organic carbon stocks in the grazing lands of north-eastern Australia?
Contextual Support Journal

MACKAY WHITSUNDAY REGION SUSTAINABLE GRAZING GUIDE - WetlandInfo, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

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

Notes

The benchmark represents the ideal state of high ecological health and landscape stability. Any presence of active gullies indicates degradation. A density of less than 5 m/ha of fully stabilized, non-eroding gullies may be consistent with good condition but is not the benchmark for active erosion.