Bare Ground — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

30 %

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 30

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 11 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 10 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

The optimal range for well-managed grazing systems is consistently identified as maintaining at least 70% total ground cover, which corresponds to a Bare Ground level of 30% or less.

Metric Definition:

Bare Ground (%)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the target maximum bare ground level for sustainable, best-practice grazing management to maintain high environmental health in Australia's temperate semi-arid woodlands.

Justification:

A target of less than 30% bare ground represents the goal for sustainable, best-practice management aiming for high environmental health.

Sources (1)

Preview of Managing grazing to increase ground cover in rangelands: using remote sensing to detect change - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 18, 2025,

Managing grazing to increase ground cover in rangelands: using remote sensing to detect change - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 18, 2025, Journal

Guppy, C.N., Waters, C.M., Hacker, R.B., et al. (2024). Managing grazing to increase ground cover in rangelands: using dynamic regional comparison to document property-scale change. Rangeland Journal.

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Restoration of degraded grazing country in the semi-arid areas of ..., accessed July 10, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Pasture and grazing land: assessment of sustainability using invertebrate bioindicators

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 22 Mar 2026

Notes

The rationale for this higher threshold is based on its effectiveness in controlling water erosion. While 50% cover offers some protection, 70% is the level at which surface water runoff is significantly slowed, maximizing infiltration and water retention in the soil profile.

Related Benchmarks

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