Bare Ground

AUS-TSW-AGR-BAR General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 10 to 30 %
Optimal Range: 10 to 30
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: OptimalRange

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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

An optimal management range is considered to be 10-30% bare ground, which balances erosion control with the agronomic challenges of high residue loads and water use in a water-limited system.

Metric Definition:

Optimal management range for Bare Ground (%) in a high-performing, resilient, and productive temperate semi-arid cropping system

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal range of bare ground percentage balancing erosion control and agronomic challenges in temperate semi-arid cropping systems under agricultural crop production.

Justification:

Balances excellent erosion control with the practical realities of crop production. The system is resilient to both wind and water erosion while minimizing risks of yield penalties from water use, N tie-up, and pest/disease issues. Allows for adaptive management based on seasonal conditions.

Sources (1)

Preview of Wind erosion | Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed July 12, 2025,
Wind erosion | Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed July 12, 2025, Government

Management - Mallee Sustainable Farming, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (23)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of 'Prospect Pastoral Company' – Against all odds - Soils For Life, accessed July 8, 2025,
'Prospect Pastoral Company' – Against all odds - Soils For Life, accessed July 8, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

'Prospect Pastoral Company' – Against all odds - Soils For Life, accessed July 8, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Agricultural groundcover update May 2024 - DPIRD's Digital library
Agricultural groundcover update May 2024 - DPIRD's Digital library
Direct Evidence Journal

Agricultural groundcover update May 2024 - DPIRD's Digital library

View Source
Preview of Ian and Di Haggerty | No-till on the Plains | Agriculture Production Systems Modeling Nature, accessed July 8, 2025,
Ian and Di Haggerty | No-till on the Plains | Agriculture Production Systems Modeling Nature, accessed July 8, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Ian and Di Haggerty | No-till on the Plains | Agriculture Production Systems Modeling Nature, accessed July 8, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Love, Humility & Gratitude — A Farming Journey | Sustainable Table, accessed July 8, 2025,
Love, Humility & Gratitude — A Farming Journey | Sustainable Table, accessed July 8, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Love, Humility & Gratitude — A Farming Journey | Sustainable Table, accessed July 8, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Managing ground cover in the cropping zone of southern NSW, accessed May 11, 2025
Managing ground cover in the cropping zone of southern NSW, accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Maintaining groundcover to reduce erosion and sustain production - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 8, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Managing stubble | General agronomy | Crop production | Grains ...
Managing stubble | General agronomy | Crop production | Grains ...
Contextual Support Journal

Managing stubble | General agronomy | Crop production | Grains ...

View Source
Preview of Managing stubble | General agronomy | Crop production | Grains, pulses and cereals - Agriculture Victoria
Managing stubble | General agronomy | Crop production | Grains, pulses and cereals - Agriculture Victoria
Contextual Support Government

Managing stubble | General agronomy | Crop production | Grains, pulses and cereals - Agriculture Victoria, accessed August 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Meeting the Australian Wool Growers Bringing the Land Back to Life - Textile Exchange, accessed July 8, 2025,
Meeting the Australian Wool Growers Bringing the Land Back to Life - Textile Exchange, accessed July 8, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Meeting the Australian Wool Growers Bringing the Land Back to Life - Textile Exchange, accessed July 8, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Monitoring ground cover: an online tool for Australian regions - eo-data.csiro.au, accessed July 18, 2025,
Monitoring ground cover: an online tool for Australian regions - eo-data.csiro.au, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Erosion and sediment yields in the Kakadu region of northern Australia - INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HYDROLOGICAL SCIENCES

View Source
Preview of Monitoring groundcover and soil degradation | Erosion | Soil | Farm ..., accessed May 11, 2025
Monitoring groundcover and soil degradation | Erosion | Soil | Farm ..., accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Monitoring groundcover and soil degradation | Erosion - Agriculture Victoria, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Project Updates – Mixed Cover Crops for Sustainable Farming - CSIRO Research
Project Updates – Mixed Cover Crops for Sustainable Farming - CSIRO Research
Contextual Support Government

Stubble Retention in Cropping Systems in Southern Australia: Benefits and Challenges - Charles Sturt University, accessed July 8, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers
Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers
Contextual Support Journal

Stubble Retention in Cropping Systems - Gulbali Institute - Charles Sturt University, accessed August 4, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025
Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

NCC: Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health - Wet Tropics Plan, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Restoring the Western Wheatbelt: a case study update - Soils For Life, accessed July 8, 2025,
Restoring the Western Wheatbelt: a case study update - Soils For Life, accessed July 8, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Restoring the Western Wheatbelt: a case study update - Soils For Life, accessed July 8, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Semi-arid woodlands (grassy sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 8, 2025, )
Semi-arid woodlands (grassy sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 8, 2025, )
Contextual Support Journal

Semi-arid woodlands (grassy sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 8, 2025, )

View Source
Preview of Stubble Management Guidelines - Upper North Farming Systems, accessed July 8, 2025,
Stubble Management Guidelines - Upper North Farming Systems, accessed July 8, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed August 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Stubble Retention in Cropping Systems in Southern Australia: Benefits and Challenges - Charles Sturt University
Stubble Retention in Cropping Systems in Southern Australia: Benefits and Challenges - Charles Sturt University
Contextual Support Journal

Shelterbelts for control of wind erosion | Erosion | Soil | Farm management, accessed August 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of The pros and cons of stubble retention - Riverine Plains
The pros and cons of stubble retention - Riverine Plains
Contextual Support Journal

WA Stubble Retention booklet - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

View Source
Preview of The pros and cons of stubble retention - Riverine Plains, accessed July 8, 2025,
The pros and cons of stubble retention - Riverine Plains, accessed July 8, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Maintaining groundcover to reduce erosion and sustain production - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 22, 2025

View Source
Preview of The relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed July 22, 2025,
The relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Maintaining groundcover to reduce erosion and sustain production - NSW Department of Primary Industries

View Source
Preview of Using regenerative farming to enhance biodiversity - Local Land Services, accessed July 8, 2025,
Using regenerative farming to enhance biodiversity - Local Land Services, accessed July 8, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Using regenerative farming to enhance biodiversity - Local Land Services, accessed July 8, 2025,

View Source
Preview of WESTERN REGION - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,
WESTERN REGION - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Managing stubble | General agronomy | Crop production | Grains ...

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 22 Mar 2026

Notes

The hallmark of a truly healthy, sustainable, and resilient system is not the static achievement of a single number, but the manager's ability to operate dynamically and intelligently within this optimal range.

Related Benchmarks

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

10 % Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Active v3
50 % Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference · summer-autumn
MinimumOnly Active v1
10 % High
Agricultural Crop Production · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v1
30 % Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Superseded v2
50 % Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Superseded v1