Camera Trap Detection Rate

AUS-TDG-LVG-CTR General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1 Detections per 100 trap-nights
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 1
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MaximumOnly

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 9 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 8 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The mean monthly RAI for key predators (foxes and feral cats) within the core project area is consistently maintained at very low levels, generally below 1.0 detection per 100 trap-nights.

Metric Definition:

Mean monthly relative activity index (RAI), defined as detections per 100 camera nights.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum acceptable activity rate of key threatening predators in temperate dry woodlands and native grasslands under livestock grazing, indicating effective ecological management to support native species recovery.

Justification:

This benchmark represents the activity rate of key threatening predators (foxes, feral cats) in a 'best-on-offer' temperate woodland grazing landscape under intensive ecological management. It is a proxy for management effectiveness, where suppression of threats to this level has enabled the successful re-establishment and thriving of multiple native species, including ecosystem engineers (e.g., Brush-tailed Bettong).

Sources (1)

Preview of State of the Environment 2023 | Marna Banggara
State of the Environment 2023 | Marna Banggara Journal

The effect of fire and livestock grazing on mammals and reptiles - UQ eSpace - The University of Queensland, accessed August 13, 2025,

View Source

Supporting Sources (9)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) A framework to predict the effects of livestock grazing and grazing exclusion on conservation values in natural ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
(PDF) A framework to predict the effects of livestock grazing and grazing exclusion on conservation values in natural ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support

Effect of free-ranging cattle on mammalian diversity: an Austral Yungas case study | Oryx

View Source
Preview of Biodiversity, Stability, and Productivity in Competitive Communities | The American Naturalist: Vol 156, No 5, accessed August 13, 2025,
Biodiversity, Stability, and Productivity in Competitive Communities | The American Naturalist: Vol 156, No 5, accessed August 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Biodiversity, Stability, and Productivity in Competitive Communities | The American Naturalist: Vol 156, No 5, accessed August 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support

Ludwig, J.A., Bastin, G.N., Chewings, V.H., Eager, R.W., and Liedloff, A.C. (2005). Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes. Rangeland Journal, 27(2), 135-149.

View Source
Preview of How Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers, accessed August 5, 2025,
How Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem ... - Frontiers

View Source
Preview of Kangaroos at maximum capacity: health assessment of free-ranging eastern grey kangaroos on a coastal headland, accessed August 13, 2025,
Kangaroos at maximum capacity: health assessment of free-ranging eastern grey kangaroos on a coastal headland, accessed August 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Patch‐scale culls of an overabundant bird defeated by immediate recolonization - UQ eSpace - The University of Queensland, accessed August 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025,
Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Native to Nemesis: a cultural and environmental history of the Noisy Miner 1788 - ABSTRA CT, accessed August 13, 2025,
Native to Nemesis: a cultural and environmental history of the Noisy Miner 1788 - ABSTRA CT, accessed August 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Native to Nemesis: a cultural and environmental history of the Noisy Miner 1788 - ABSTRA CT, accessed August 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Northern and Yorke | Marna Banggara - Landscape South Australia, accessed August 13, 2025,
Northern and Yorke | Marna Banggara - Landscape South Australia, accessed August 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Northern and Yorke | Marna Banggara - Landscape South Australia, accessed August 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 12, 2025,
Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Vegetation change in an urban grassy woodland 1974–2000 - CSIRO Publishing

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: A state of ecological collapse is indicated by the consistent failure to detect sensitive faunal guilds (e.g., small ground mammals, cryptic reptiles), reflecting a loss of essential habitat structure (e.g., coarse woody debris, complex ground cover). The CTR for these guilds would approach zero. Upper Detrimental Threshold: A high total CTR can be detrimental if it is dominated by overabundant native species (e.g., Noisy Miners, kangaroos) that thrive in degraded, simplified habitats. This indicates a loss of biodiversity and ecosystem imbalance. The optimal state is therefore a moderately high CTR characterized by high species richness across multiple functional groups, not just a high raw detection number.