Gully Density

AUS-ASC-FOR-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0 m/ha

Range: 0 to 0 m/ha

Thresholds: Lower: 0, 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

Effectively zero active, human-induced gully density (0 m/ha of new, active gullies attributable to current forestry operations).

Metric Definition:

Gully density is defined as the length of active gullies per hectare, serving as an indicator of landscape stability and the effectiveness of erosion control measures under sustainable land uses.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the target of having no new, active human-induced gullies in alpine and subalpine production forestry areas, reflecting landscape stability and effective erosion control.

Justification:

This benchmark is derived from the overarching objective of Australian Forest Practices Codes, which is to prevent soil erosion and protect water quality through stringent planning and operational controls. Given the high erodibility of alpine and subalpine soils once their protective vegetation cover is disturbed, best-practice sustainable forestry management is fundamentally designed to prevent the conditions that lead to the initiation or exacerbation of active gullies.

Sources (1)

Preview of Derived from the preventative principles embedded in Australian State Forest Practices Codes (e.g., Victorian Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014; NSW Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW; Tasmanian Forest Practices Code) and the documented high sensitivity and erodibility of alpine/subalpine soils when disturbed.

Derived from the preventative principles embedded in Australian State Forest Practices Codes (e.g., Victorian Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014; NSW Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW; Tasmanian Forest Practices Code) and the documented high sensitivity and erodibility of alpine/subalpine soils when disturbed. Journal

Indicator 4.1d: Management of the risks to water quantity from forests (2025) - DAFF

View Source

Supporting Sources (10)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

2024 State of the Environment Report - Tasmanian Planning Commission, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Journal

Biodiversity - Tasmanian Planning Commission

View Source

Australia's State of the Forests Report - DAFF, accessed August 10, 2025,

Contextual Support

Criterion 4: Conservation and maintenance of soil and water resources - DAFF, accessed May 26, 2025

View Source

Australia's State of the Forests Report - updated indicators - DAFF, accessed May 26, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Australia's State of the Forests Report - updated indicators - DAFF, accessed May 26, 2025

View Source

Development of a RIS for variations to the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014 - Victorian Government, accessed May 26, 2025

Regulatory Framework Journal

Development of a RIS for variations to the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014 - Victorian Government, accessed May 26, 2025

View Source

Forest safety: Code of practice (Tasmania), accessed May 26, 2025

Irrelevant

Forest safety: Code of practice (Tasmania), accessed May 26, 2025

View Source

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). The Australian Alps Bioregion.

Contextual Support Journal

Monitoring the impact of feral horses on vegetation condition using remotely sensed fPAR: A case study in Australia's alpine parks

View Source

Post-fire hillslope erosion response in a sub-alpine environment ..., accessed May 26, 2025

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Post-fire hillslope erosion response in a sub-alpine environment ..., accessed May 26, 2025

View Source

Preview of Post-fire hillslope erosion response in a sub-alpine environment, south-eastern Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed on May 28, 2025

Post-fire hillslope erosion response in a sub-alpine environment, south-eastern Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed on May 28, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 – Criterion 4 - DAFF, accessed May 26, 2025

View Source

Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW - Local Land Services, accessed May 26, 2025

Regulatory Framework Journal

Development of a RIS for variations to the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014 - Victorian Government

View Source

theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 29, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Maximising Plant Growth: The Importance of Potassium Fertiliser - Plant Needs Pty. Ltd., accessed May 28, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 24 Mar 2026

Notes

The benchmark specifically targets active, human-induced gullies representing landscape stability and minimal erosion. Natural, stable geomorphological features like established drainage lines or gorges are not included in this assessment. Any measurable density of new, active gullies signifies a failure of preventative measures and a departure from the best available condition.