Basal Area

AUS-TDG-LVG-BAS General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

20 m²/ha
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 20
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: UpperThreshold

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.

Evidence & Context

An upper boundary around >20-25 m²/ha, beyond which detrimental impacts on pasture productivity and potential ecological imbalances become significant in a grazing context.

Metric Definition:

Basal Area (BA) as the cross-sectional area of tree stems at breast height per unit ground area.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the upper detrimental threshold of Basal Area beyond which negative ecological and productivity impacts occur in temperate dry woodlands and native grasslands under livestock grazing.

Justification:

Based on evidence of competition with pasture, woody thickening, water stress, and stand stagnation at high BA levels.

Sources (1)

Preview of Synthesis derived from multiple sources including Lindenmayer et al. (2020), Wardle et al. (2024), Florence (2002), Fensham (1998), NSW OEH (2019), Keto & Scott (2024). See report Sections 3 & 6 for details.
Synthesis derived from multiple sources including Lindenmayer et al. (2020), Wardle et al. (2024), Florence (2002), Fensham (1998), NSW OEH (2019), Keto & Scott (2024). See report Sections 3 & 6 for details. Journal

Synthesis derived from multiple sources including Lindenmayer et al. (2020), Wardle et al. (2024), Florence (2002), Fensham (1998), NSW OEH (2019), Keto & Scott (2024). See report Sections 3 & 6 for details.

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Exceeding this threshold may compromise pasture productivity and ecological balance in grazing systems.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-LVG-BAS family.