Litter Cover — Benchmark Detail - Nature Index

Benchmark Value

70 %

Range: 50 to 70 %

Thresholds: Lower: 50, Upper: 70

Optimal Range: 50 to 70

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: Point

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 14 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 13 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on a comprehensive synthesis of scientific literature and best-practice guidelines for Australian temperate cropping systems, a reference value of 70% litter cover is established as the benchmark for the "best available condition."

Metric Definition:

Litter Cover (%) within Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands under Agricultural Crop Production

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the percentage of ground covered by litter in agricultural crop production systems within Australian temperate dry woodlands and native grasslands, indicating the best available condition achievable through sustainable management.

Justification:

The 70% value represents the upper end of the optimal functional range for ground cover in Australian temperate cropping systems, widely recognized for maximizing water infiltration and providing robust protection against water erosion. This level is consistently achievable in best-practice no-till and stubble retention systems that balance ecological health with agronomic viability.

Sources (1)

Preview of Managing heavy stubble loads without compromising the big things (weeds, disease, pests, timeliness and profit!) - a decade of stubble management and farming systems experiments

Managing heavy stubble loads without compromising the big things (weeds, disease, pests, timeliness and profit!) - a decade of stubble management and farming systems experiments GreyLiterature

Managing heavy stubble loads without compromising the “big things ..., accessed August 13, 2025,

Supporting Sources (17)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of After record harvests, how much nitrogen will be tied-up in high ..., accessed August 13, 2025,

After record harvests, how much nitrogen will be tied-up in high ..., accessed August 13, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Queensland Soil and Land Resource Survey Information Guideline, accessed July 17, 2025,

Preview of Benefits of Leaf Litter for Forest Regeneration - Tunley Environmental

Benefits of Leaf Litter for Forest Regeneration - Tunley Environmental

Contextual Support Journal

Stubble Retention in Cropping Systems in Southern Australia ..., accessed August 13, 2025,

Preview of Cover Cropping to Improve Productivity and Sustainability, accessed August 13, 2025,

Cover Cropping to Improve Productivity and Sustainability, accessed August 13, 2025,

Contextual Support

Cover Cropping to Improve Productivity and Sustainability, accessed August 13, 2025,

Preview of Maintain ground cover | .Meat & Livestock Australia - MLA, accessed August 13, 2025,

Maintain ground cover | .Meat & Livestock Australia - MLA, accessed August 13, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Case Studies of Regenerative Agriculture - ResearchGate, accessed August 13, 2025,

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,

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

Preview of Regenerative Agriculture - a literature review on the practices and mechanisms used to improve soil health - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed August 5, 2025,

Regenerative Agriculture - a literature review on the practices and mechanisms used to improve soil health - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support

Regenerative Land Management - HEALTHY SOILS AUSTRALIA

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,

Preview of Regenerative opportunities for building soil biological resilience – a ..., accessed May 11, 2025

Regenerative opportunities for building soil biological resilience – a ..., accessed May 11, 2025

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil and fertilizer phosphorus: Effects on plant P supply and mycorrhizal development - Canadian Science Publishing, accessed August 28, 2025

Preview of Strategic tillage of a long-term, no-till soil has little impact on soil characteristics or crop growth over five years

Strategic tillage of a long-term, no-till soil has little impact on soil characteristics or crop growth over five years

Contextual Support Journal

What is Regenerative Agriculture? - Soils For Life, accessed August 13, 2025,

Preview of Stubble load increases frost severity, duration and damage in frost-prone landscapes in south-western Australia - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed August 13, 2025,

Stubble load increases frost severity, duration and damage in frost-prone landscapes in south-western Australia - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed August 13, 2025,

Contextual Support

The impact of tillage practices and crop residue (stubble) retention in the cropping system of Western Australia - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed August 13, 2025,

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,

Preview of Stubble Retention in Cropping Systems - Gulbali Institute - Charles Sturt University, accessed August 13, 2025,

Stubble Retention in Cropping Systems - Gulbali Institute - Charles Sturt University, accessed August 13, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Stubble Retention in Cropping Systems - Gulbali Institute - Charles Sturt University, accessed August 13, 2025,

Preview of Stubble Retention in Cropping Systems in Southern Australia ..., accessed August 4, 2025,

Stubble Retention in Cropping Systems in Southern Australia ..., accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Impacts of retained wheat stubble on canola in southern New South Wales, accessed August 13, 2025,

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,

Preview of The Effect of Leaf Litter Cover on Surface Runoff and Soil Erosion in Northern China - PMC, accessed August 13, 2025,

The Effect of Leaf Litter Cover on Surface Runoff and Soil Erosion in Northern China - PMC, accessed August 13, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The Effect of Leaf Litter Cover on Surface Runoff and Soil Erosion in Northern China - PMC, accessed August 13, 2025,

Preview of Winter crop variety sowing guide 2023 - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 13, 2025,

Winter crop variety sowing guide 2023 - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 13, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Winter crop variety sowing guide 2023 - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 13, 2025,

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 22 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 50 %. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 70 %. The benchmark represents a multi-threshold framework: a critical floor at 50-70% cover to prevent degradation, an optimal functional range of 50-70%, and an upper detrimental threshold at 70% beyond which negative impacts increase.