Bare Ground — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 10 to 15 %

Optimal Range: 10 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 3 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 2 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on this synthesis, a proposed reference value for Bare Ground (%) in operational areas immediately following harvesting (excluding dedicated infrastructure like primary roads and log landings, and prior to active regeneration efforts which should further reduce it) is <10-15%.

Metric Definition:

Bare Ground (%) - the percentage of ground surface area that is exposed soil without vegetative cover.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the target range for bare ground percentage in operational forestry areas immediately after harvesting, aiming to minimize soil exposure and promote ecosystem recovery in tropical monsoonal savannas.

Justification:

Synthesized from the need to be significantly better than regulatory maximums; aligns with RIL principles of minimizing soil disturbance; reflects natural ecosystem tendencies for high ground cover.

Sources (1)

Preview of Queensland Department of Resources (2023) "Accepted development vegetation clearing code: Managing a native forest practice"

Queensland Department of Resources (2023) "Accepted development vegetation clearing code: Managing a native forest practice" Journal

www.qld.gov.au, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Superseded
Version 1
Effective From 24 Mar 2026
Effective To 24 Mar 2026

Notes

This range acknowledges some transient bare ground during timber extraction but sets an ambitious target substantially better than regulatory minimums.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMS-FOR-BAR family.