Bare Ground

AUS-AMR-CON-BAR General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0 to 15 %
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 30
Optimal Range: 0 to 15
Direction: Lower 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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

Indicator Name: Bare Ground (%) Reference Value: <15%

Metric Definition:

Percentage of total bare ground including both functional and dysfunctional bare ground components in the landscape.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the best available condition for bare ground percentage in conservation areas of the Australian Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands biome, indicating a landscape with high protective cover and low erosion risk.

Justification:

Derived from a synthesis of qualitative field assessment criteria and quantitative erosion threshold science from analogous ecosystems, acknowledging the absence of direct peer-reviewed measurements in the specific biome.

Sources (2)

Preview of Native Vegetation Council Rangelands Assessment Manual
Native Vegetation Council Rangelands Assessment Manual GreyLiterature

Native Vegetation Council Rangelands Assessment Manual

View Source
Preview of Native Vegetation Council Rangelands Assessment Manual - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 29, 2025,
Native Vegetation Council Rangelands Assessment Manual - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 29, 2025, Journal

General principles of rangeland ecology

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 4 Jun 2026

Notes

The optimal range is <15% bare ground, representing a landscape with high protective cover from native vegetation and litter, ensuring effective resource capture and low erosion risk. The upper detrimental threshold is between 20-30%, beyond which soil erosion accelerates and landscape degradation occurs. The lower boundary is defined by composition, not percentage, due to invasive species impacts.