Litter Cover — Benchmark Detail - Nature Index

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 50 to 80 %

Optimal Range: 50 to 80

Direction: Higher 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 MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

Combining these boundaries, the optimal range for litter cover in temperate semi-arid cropping systems is proposed to be between 50% and 80%.

Metric Definition:

Optimal range of litter cover percentage for maximizing ecological benefits and manageable agronomic challenges

Benchmark Definition:

Range of litter cover that balances ecological function and agronomic feasibility in temperate semi-arid shrublands and open woodlands under agricultural crop production.

Justification:

This range is derived from synthesis of multiple sources indicating effective erosion control and manageable agronomic constraints.

Sources (1)

Preview of WA Stubble Retention booklet - GRDC

WA Stubble Retention booklet - GRDC Journal

WA Stubble Retention booklet - GRDC

Supporting Sources (17)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of "Managing for stubble retention" by Linda Leonard - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed July 8, 2025,

"Managing for stubble retention" by Linda Leonard - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

"Managing for stubble retention" by Linda Leonard - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed July 8, 2025,

Preview of Ch 3. Amount of Organic Matter in Soils - SARE, accessed July 8, 2025,

Ch 3. Amount of Organic Matter in Soils - SARE, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Managing ground cover on erosion prone soils: Guidelines to follow ..., accessed July 8, 2025

Preview of Crop Litter Has a Strong Effect on Soil Organic Matter Sequestration in Semi-Arid Environments - MDPI, accessed July 8, 2025,

Crop Litter Has a Strong Effect on Soil Organic Matter Sequestration in Semi-Arid Environments - MDPI, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Crop Litter Has a Strong Effect on Soil Organic Matter Sequestration in Semi-Arid Environments - MDPI, accessed July 8, 2025,

Preview of Ground Cover Monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed July 8, 2025,

Ground Cover Monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support

Ground Cover Monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed July 8, 2025,

Preview of Ground Cover Monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed May 11, 2025

Ground Cover Monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed May 11, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Grazing-management-for-soil-carbon-in-Australia-A-review.pdf - University of Tasmania, accessed April 29, 2025,

Preview of Is sustainable intensification of cropping systems achievable? - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

Is sustainable intensification of cropping systems achievable? - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Is sustainable intensification of cropping systems achievable? - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

Preview of Opportunities and Challenges for Cover Cropping in Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Southern Australia - MDPI, accessed July 18, 2025,

Opportunities and Challenges for Cover Cropping in Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Southern Australia - MDPI, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Developments in stubble retention in cropping systems in southern Australia, accessed July 27, 2025

Preview of Principles of Cover Cropping for Arid and Semi-arid Farming Systems | New Mexico State University - BE BOLD. Shape the Future., accessed July 8, 2025,

Principles of Cover Cropping for Arid and Semi-arid Farming Systems | New Mexico State University - BE BOLD. Shape the Future., accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Managing ground cover in the cropping zone of southern NSW, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Regenerative agriculture - Wikipedia, accessed August 8, 2025

Regenerative agriculture - Wikipedia, accessed August 8, 2025

Contextual Support

Regenerative agriculture - Wikipedia

Preview of Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed July 20, 2025,

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

Preview of Stubble Management Guidelines - Upper North Farming Systems, accessed July 8, 2025,

Stubble Management Guidelines - Upper North Farming Systems, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed August 13, 2025

Preview of The effect of stubble on nitrogen tie-up and supply - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

The effect of stubble on nitrogen tie-up and supply - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support

Ground cover monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of The pros and cons of stubble retention - Riverine Plains

The pros and cons of stubble retention - Riverine Plains

Direct Evidence Journal

The pros and cons of stubble retention - Riverine Plains, accessed July 8, 2025

Preview of WESTERN REGION - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

WESTERN REGION - GRDC, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Managing stubble | General agronomy | Crop production | Grains ...

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

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Woodlands of Australia - A biography of the Australian continent, accessed July 12, 2025,

Woodlands of Australia - A biography of the Australian continent, accessed July 12, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Agricultural Biodiversity Target
Vegetation Shrubland
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 5 Jun 2026

Notes

The optimal range secures erosion control and moisture conservation benefits while remaining within a zone where the negative impacts of excessive stubble are manageable.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-AGR-LIT family.