Litter Cover

AUS-AIF-LVG-LIT General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 50 to 60 %

Optimal Range: 50 to 60

Direction: Higher 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 4 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

Indicator Name: Litter Cover (%) Reference Value: 50–60% Unit: % Source Title: Grazing Management Cards

Metric Definition:

Litter Cover (%) as the layer of dead, detached organic material lying on the soil surface, primarily derived from the decay of ephemeral grasses and forbs.

Benchmark Definition:

Litter cover is the layer of dead, detached organic material lying on the soil surface, representing a healthy ground cover target for conservation grazing in this arid biome.

Justification:

This benchmark is geographically specific to the target biome and linked to a desired state of high ecological function under conservation grazing agreements.

Sources (1)

Biodiversity Conservation Trust Livestock grazing guidelines Journal

Biodiversity Conservation Trust Livestock grazing guidelines

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Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Assessing groundcover | MBFP | More Beef from Pastures - MLA, accessed August 10, 2025,

Direct Evidence

Revegetation - International Erosion Control Association

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IN PRAISE OF GROUNDCOVER - Australian Rangeland Society -

Direct Evidence Journal

IN PRAISE OF GROUNDCOVER - Australian Rangeland Society -

View Source

Preview of Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate

View Source

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

Direct Evidence Journal

Lang, D. (1979). Groundcover for pastures. Journal of Soil Conservation NSW.

View Source

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

Contextual Support Journal

Maintain and improve groundcover - Local Land Services

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 3 Jun 2026

Notes

Ground cover includes living vegetation, dry litter, and coarse woody debris. In this arid grazing context, litter and dry matter are the primary managed components ensuring this target is met, especially during dry periods.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AIF-LVG-LIT family.