Gully Density

AUS-AKW-LVG-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1 m/ha
Range: 0 to 0 m/ha
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 1
Optimal Range: 0 to 0
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MaximumOnly

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 9 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 8 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

The final proposed benchmark is detailed in the table below. Indicator Name Reference Value Unit Source Title Source URL or DOI Confidence Level Short Notes Gully Density < 1 m/ha Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (RP66G) Summary Report Moderate Benchmark Rationale: No direct data exists for the specific biome. This benchmark is derived using a weight-of-evidence approach.

Metric Definition:

Active gully length per hectare representing gully density

Benchmark Definition:

Gully density measures the length of active gullies per hectare, indicating landscape stability and ecological health in arid karstic woodlands under livestock grazing. A value below 1 m/ha reflects a stable landscape with minimal active gullying.

Justification:

This benchmark is derived using a weight-of-evidence approach due to the absence of direct data, supported by geomorphological principles, management impact studies, and analogous grazing land data.

Sources (1)

Preview of Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (RP66G) Summary Report - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 1, 2025,
Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (RP66G) Summary Report - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 1, 2025, Journal

INNOVATIONS FOR REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPE ... - Soils For Life

View Source

Supporting Sources (20)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of ( a ) Shaded relief of the Nullarbor Plain showing various... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed July 26, 2025
( a ) Shaded relief of the Nullarbor Plain showing various... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed July 26, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Report card on sustainable natural resource use in the rangelands

View Source
Preview of An inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of the Nullarbor region - DPIRD's Digital library
An inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of the Nullarbor region - DPIRD's Digital library
Contextual Support Journal

Pastoral Land Condition Report - 2007/2008 Financial Year

View Source
Preview of Assessing the impact of overgrazing on soil erosion in arid regions at a range of spatial scales
Assessing the impact of overgrazing on soil erosion in arid regions at a range of spatial scales
Contextual Support

'Tolerable' hillslope soil erosion rates in Australia: Linking science and policy | Request PDF, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Barwon Darling and Far Western Water Quality Objectives explained - NSW Government, accessed July 25, 2025,
Barwon Darling and Far Western Water Quality Objectives explained - NSW Government, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Nullarbor Plain - A biography of the Australian continent

View Source
Preview of biodiversity - Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 23, 2025,
biodiversity - Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 23, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Nullarbor Parks - Department for Environment and Water

View Source
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
Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source
Preview of Gully density map of the study assessment area (kilometres... - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025,
Gully density map of the study assessment area (kilometres... - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Gully erosion prediction across a large region ... - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Gully erosion | Erosion | Soil | Farm management | Agriculture Victoria, accessed May 13, 2025
Gully erosion | Erosion | Soil | Farm management | Agriculture Victoria, accessed May 13, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Sustainable Agriculture | NQ Dry Tropics, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed August 1, 2025,
Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Australia's State of the Forests Report, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Karst features and remnant dune systems on the Nullarbor Plain, Australia, accessed July 26, 2025,
Karst features and remnant dune systems on the Nullarbor Plain, Australia, accessed July 26, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Geology of the Nullarbor Plain (Webb and James 2006; courtesy JA ..., accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of Land management for graziers | Business Queensland, accessed August 8, 2025
Land management for graziers | Business Queensland, accessed August 8, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Reducing the impacts of grazing on water quality - EPA Victoria, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

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

View Source
Preview of Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025
Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Soil potassium—crop response calibration relationships and ..., accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of NVIS Fact sheet MVG 22 – Chenopod shrublands, samphire shrublands and forblands - DCCEEW, accessed July 24, 2025
NVIS Fact sheet MVG 22 – Chenopod shrublands, samphire shrublands and forblands - DCCEEW, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Some Characteristics of Calcareous soils. A review A.S. Taalab1, G.W. Ageeb2, Hanan S. Siam1 and Safaa A. Mahmoud1 - CURRENT RESEARCH WEB, accessed July 26, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia
Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia
Contextual Support

Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia

View Source
Preview of Program - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025,
Program - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Review of soil erosion modelling involving water with field applications - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Report card on sustainable natural resource use in the rangelands
Report card on sustainable natural resource use in the rangelands
Contextual Support Journal

SOS erosion - Soil Science Australia

View Source
Preview of The erosional impacts of grazing animals - Gaia Visions
The erosional impacts of grazing animals - Gaia Visions
Contextual Support Journal

The erosional impacts of grazing animals - Gaia Visions

View Source
Preview of www.publications.qld.gov.au, accessed May 13, 2025
www.publications.qld.gov.au, accessed May 13, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

The benchmark represents a near-zero state of active gully density, indicating high ecological health and landscape stability. Any measurable active gully density (> 0 m/ha) is considered detrimental.