Bare Ground — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 0 to 30 %

Optimal Range: 0 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 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 system is considered to be in a 'good', sustainable condition when bare ground is maintained at < 30%.

Metric Definition:

Bare Ground (%) is defined as the percentage of exposed soil surface not covered by vegetation (living or dead) or litter.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal range of bare ground (0-30%) for sustainable grazing systems in the Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands biome, indicating good ecological condition.

Justification:

Maintaining a ground cover level of at least 70% (implying < 30% Bare Ground) is defined as the threshold for 'good' plant production and sustainability.

Sources (1)

Grazing Best Practice GreyLiterature

Grazing water quality risk framework 2017-2022 - Reef 2050 Water ..., accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 22 Mar 2026

Notes

An optimal state for resilient, high-functioning pasture is < 30% bare ground.

Related Benchmarks

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