Gully Density — Benchmark Detail - Nature Index

Benchmark Value

0 m/ha

Range: 0 to 0 m/ha

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 0

Optimal Range: 0 to 0

Direction: Lower 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 5 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 4 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard Point Guard Point Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

Final Benchmark Indicator Name: Gully Density Reference Value: 0 Unit: m/ha (of active gullies) Source Title: Synthesized benchmark based on the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management (ESFM) and soil stability objectives in Australian forestry codes and scientific literature.

Metric Definition:

Gully Density as the density of active gullies in meters per hectare, indicating landscape stability and soil conservation status.

Benchmark Definition:

Gully density is defined as the density of active gullies in meters per hectare, representing landscape stability and soil conservation in production forestry within this biome.

Justification:

This reference value of 0 m/ha of active gullies is derived from first principles as the only state consistent with the explicit goals of Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management (ESFM) and regulatory frameworks mandating prevention of soil erosion. Active gullies indicate systemic failure and degradation.

Sources (2)

Preview of Factors related to gully erosion in woody encroachment in south-eastern Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed on May 29, 2025,

Factors related to gully erosion in woody encroachment in south-eastern Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed on May 29, 2025, Journal

Factors related to gully erosion in woody encroachment in south-eastern Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of Forest Practices Plans - Private Forests Tasmania

Forest Practices Plans - Private Forests Tasmania Journal

Australia's forests – overview - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025

Supporting Sources (28)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Prediction of Sheet and Rill Erosion Over the Australian Continent, Incorporating Monthly Soil Loss Distribution - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025,

(PDF) Prediction of Sheet and Rill Erosion Over the Australian Continent, Incorporating Monthly Soil Loss Distribution - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025,

Contextual Support

Australia state of the environment 2021: land, accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of (PDF) Regrowth and Soil Erosion in the Semi-Arid Woodlands of ..., accessed July 16, 2025,

(PDF) Regrowth and Soil Erosion in the Semi-Arid Woodlands of ..., accessed July 16, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Regrowth and Soil Erosion in the Semi-Arid Woodlands of ..., accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of A guide to managing Box Gum Grassy Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025

A guide to managing Box Gum Grassy Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Soil moisture release curves—What they are. Why you need them. How to use them., accessed May 15, 2025,

Preview of Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 12, 2025

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 12, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 8, 2025,

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

What is the best technique to estimate topographic thresholds of ...

Preview of Australia's forests – overview - DAFF, accessed August 5, 2025,

Australia's forests – overview - DAFF, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support

Boland, D. J., & Dunn, A. T. (1985). Eucalyptus delegatensis: Its ecology and management. Forestry Commission of NSW.

Preview of Biodiversity Conservation Trust Ecological Thinning Guidelines, accessed July 12, 2025,

Biodiversity Conservation Trust Ecological Thinning Guidelines, accessed July 12, 2025,

Contextual Support

Full article: Active management: a definition and considerations for implementation in forests of temperate Australia - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed May 19, 2025

Preview of Chapter 13 Gully erosion and its control - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 12, 2025

Chapter 13 Gully erosion and its control - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 12, 2025

Direct Evidence Journal

Gully erosion and environmental change: importance and research needs, accessed July 20, 2025

Preview of Chapter 3 Land degradation - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed July 13, 2025,

Chapter 3 Land degradation - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed July 13, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment, accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of Effects of time-controlled grazing on runoff and sediment loss - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 12, 2025

Effects of time-controlled grazing on runoff and sediment loss - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 12, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of time-controlled grazing on runoff and sediment loss - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of Estimating the relative magnitude of expected increases in soil erosion from tree clearing and agricultural development on Cape York, accessed August 3, 2025,

Estimating the relative magnitude of expected increases in soil erosion from tree clearing and agricultural development on Cape York, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Estimating the relative magnitude of expected increases in soil erosion from tree clearing and agricultural development on Cape York, accessed July 27, 2025,

Preview of Forest Management Options for Private Landowners, accessed July 12, 2025

Forest Management Options for Private Landowners, accessed July 12, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Forest Management Options for Private Landowners, accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of Forest Management Options for Private Landowners, accessed July 12, 2025,

Forest Management Options for Private Landowners, accessed July 12, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Forest Management Plan | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of Forest Management Plan 2024-2033 - Conservation and Parks Commission, accessed May 15, 2025,

Forest Management Plan 2024-2033 - Conservation and Parks Commission, accessed May 15, 2025,

Contextual Support

Case studies | Environment, land and water - Queensland Government, accessed July 12, 2025,

Preview of LAND DEGRADATION AND THE AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY - Productivity Commission, accessed July 13, 2025,

LAND DEGRADATION AND THE AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY - Productivity Commission, accessed July 13, 2025,

Contextual Support

LAND DEGRADATION AND THE AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY - Productivity Commission, accessed May 11, 2025

Preview of management of inland arid and semi-arid woodland ... - DBCA Library, accessed July 12, 2025,

management of inland arid and semi-arid woodland ... - DBCA Library, accessed July 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

management of inland arid and semi-arid woodland ... - DBCA Library, accessed July 12, 2025,

Preview of nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,

nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell ..., accessed July 21, 2025,

Preview of NVIS Fact sheet MVG 14 – Mallee woodlands and shrublands - DCCEEW, accessed July 15, 2025

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 14 – Mallee woodlands and shrublands - DCCEEW, accessed July 15, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19 – Tussock grasslands, accessed August 28, 2025

Preview of Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Northern NSW - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 10, 2025,

Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Northern NSW - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 10, 2025,

Direct Evidence

Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Cypress and Western ..., accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of Private Native Forestry Codes of Practice | NSW Government, accessed July 12, 2025

Private Native Forestry Codes of Practice | NSW Government, accessed July 12, 2025

Regulatory Framework Government

Private Native Forestry Codes of Practice | NSW Government, accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of Program - CSIRO, accessed July 12, 2025

Program - CSIRO, accessed July 12, 2025

Methodology Source Government

Program - CSIRO, accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of Review of 2022 Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Northern NSW - NationBuilder, accessed July 12, 2025,

Review of 2022 Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Northern NSW - NationBuilder, accessed July 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Review of 2022 Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Northern NSW - NationBuilder, accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of Semi-arid woodlands (grassy sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )

Semi-arid woodlands (grassy sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )

Contextual Support Government

Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia

Preview of Semi-arid woodlands (shrubby sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )

Semi-arid woodlands (shrubby sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )

Contextual Support Government

Semi-arid woodlands (grassy sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )

Preview of Silvicultural guidelines: Private Native Forestry Code of Practice - Environment and Heritage, accessed July 31, 2025

Silvicultural guidelines: Private Native Forestry Code of Practice - Environment and Heritage, accessed July 31, 2025

Direct Evidence

Government Gazette, accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment, accessed August 10, 2025,

Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment, accessed August 10, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

The relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed July 28, 2025,

Preview of VI.† Evaluation of the RUSLE and MUSLE models to assess the impact of clearing brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) on sediment yield - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Soil Research, accessed July 20, 2025

VI.† Evaluation of the RUSLE and MUSLE models to assess the impact of clearing brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) on sediment yield - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Soil Research, accessed July 20, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 12, 2025

Preview of Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed May 19, 2025

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 24 Mar 2026

Notes

A direct, field-measured benchmark for gully density in best-practice production forestry in this biome is not available. The ideal and most stable state is zero active gullies. Any value above zero indicates detrimental soil erosion and landscape degradation.