Ground Cover - Tree Canopy

AUS-AKW-LVG-TCC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 5 to 10 %

Optimal Range: 5 to 10

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 19 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 18 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

A value at the lower to mid-range, such as 5-10% Foliage Projective Cover (FPC), is proposed as the benchmark.

Metric Definition:

Tree Canopy Cover as Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) percentage

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the typical healthy range of tree canopy cover, measured as Foliage Projective Cover percentage, for Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands under sustainable livestock grazing. It reflects a stable, high-quality open woodland structure within the landscape mosaic.

Justification:

Derived from NVIS definition for MVG 11 and WARMS data indicating stable or slightly increasing woody cover at well-managed pastoral sites.

Sources (2)

Preview of Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025

Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025 Journal

Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 11 – Eucalypt open woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025, Journal

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 11 – Eucalypt open woodlands - DCCEEW

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

An inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of ...

Direct Evidence Journal

An inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of ...

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 4 Jun 2026

Notes

This benchmark represents the 'best-on-offer' condition for the wooded components within a healthy Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands mosaic under sustainable livestock grazing. It is a ceiling, not a target, as the primary ecological threat is woody encroachment, not deforestation. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AKW-LVG-TCC family.