Gully Density

AUS-AIF-CON-GUL General Low 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 6 benchmarks together — the Point form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

Point Primary Point Guard Point Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on these premises, the scientifically defensible benchmark for Gully Density in a conservation land use context is a state of geomorphic stability characterized by the absence of active, accelerated gully erosion. This corresponds to a quantitative value of 0 m/ha.

Metric Definition:

Gully density, defined as the length of active gullies per unit area.

Benchmark Definition:

Gully density is the length of active gullies per unit area, indicating landscape stability and erosion status in conservation areas of the Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems biome.

Justification:

The benchmark is based on the scientific consensus that widespread gully erosion in this biome is a post-European settlement degradation phenomenon driven by land use, primarily the reduction of ground cover. Conservation management, such as grazing exclusion, leads to gully stabilization and a 77% reduction in sediment yield, trending towards this state of geomorphic stability.

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Landscapes of the Lake Eyre Basin: the catchment-scale context that creates fluvial diversity, accessed July 22, 2025
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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 24 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 0 m/ha. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 0 m/ha. There is no evidence of a beneficial or necessary level of accelerated gully erosion. Any presence indicates a departure from optimal landscape stability and ecological function.