Gully Density

AUS-TDG-CON-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0 m/ha
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 0
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: UpperThreshold

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

Any persistent active gully density > 0 m/ha is detrimental to the ecological health and conservation values of the area.

Metric Definition:

Gully density is quantitatively defined as "the total gully length per area of the whole study area".

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark sets the upper detrimental threshold for active gully density, where any persistent value above zero harms ecological health and conservation values in the biome.

Justification:

The severity of the detrimental impact increases with gully density, extent, and connectivity.

Sources (1)

Preview of Ecological Impact Assessment - Whitehaven Coal
Ecological Impact Assessment - Whitehaven Coal Journal

Mokota Conservation Park Management Plan - Department for Environment and Water

View Source

Supporting Sources (14)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of A global comparison of soil erosion associated with land use and climate type
A global comparison of soil erosion associated with land use and climate type
Contextual Support Journal

A global comparison of soil erosion associated with land use and climate type

View Source
Preview of Australia's Strategy for the National Reserve System 2009–2030 - DCCEEW
Australia's Strategy for the National Reserve System 2009–2030 - DCCEEW
Contextual Support Journal

Australia's Strategy for the National Reserve System 2009–2030 - DCCEEW

View Source
Preview of Can Coarse Woody Debris Be Used for Carbon Storage in Open Grazed Woodlands?
Can Coarse Woody Debris Be Used for Carbon Storage in Open Grazed Woodlands?
Contextual Support Journal

Can Coarse Woody Debris Be Used for Carbon Storage in Open Grazed Woodlands?

View Source
Preview of Developing good practice guidance for estimating land degradation in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Developing good practice guidance for estimating land degradation in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Journal

Developing good practice guidance for estimating land degradation in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals | Request PDF - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Ecological site R075XY059NE - Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool
Ecological site R075XY059NE - Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool
Contextual Support Journal

Ecological site R075XY059NE - Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool

View Source
Preview of Influence of Topographic Factors on the Characteristics of Gully Systems in Mountainous Areas of Ningnan Dry-Hot Valley, SW China - PubMed Central
Influence of Topographic Factors on the Characteristics of Gully Systems in Mountainous Areas of Ningnan Dry-Hot Valley, SW China - PubMed Central
Contextual Support Journal

Influence of Topographic Factors on the Characteristics of Gully Systems in Mountainous Areas of Ningnan Dry-Hot Valley, SW China - PubMed Central

View Source
Preview of National Reserve System protected area requirements - DCCEEW
National Reserve System protected area requirements - DCCEEW
Regulatory Framework Government

National Reserve System protected area requirements - DCCEEW

View Source
Preview of Nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen balance in Australian farmlands - Agronomy Australia Proceedings, accessed May 11, 2025
Nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen balance in Australian farmlands - Agronomy Australia Proceedings, accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Letnic, M. (2019). What are native grasslands, and why do they matter? UNSW Newsroom.

View Source
Preview of OFFICIAL - DCCEEW
OFFICIAL - DCCEEW
Contextual Support Journal

OFFICIAL - DCCEEW

View Source
Preview of parks - IUCN Portals
parks - IUCN Portals
Contextual Support Journal

parks - IUCN Portals

View Source
Preview of Soil erosion impacts on crop yields in North America. Adv Agron - ResearchGate
Soil erosion impacts on crop yields in North America. Adv Agron - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Journal

Soil physical properties of the studied gully sidewall (means ± standard error). - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Sydney Drinking Water Catchment Audit 2019-22 - WaterNSW
Sydney Drinking Water Catchment Audit 2019-22 - WaterNSW
Contextual Support Journal

Sydney Drinking Water Catchment Audit 2019-22 - WaterNSW

View Source
Preview of The International Journal of Protected Areas and Conservation
The International Journal of Protected Areas and Conservation
Contextual Support Journal

The International Journal of Protected Areas and Conservation

View Source
Preview of Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,
Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed May 19, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Any persistent active gully density > 0 m/ha is detrimental. Higher densities (e.g., >20 m/ha as seen in degraded agricultural lands) signify severely degraded states.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-CON-GUL family.

0 m/ha Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
Point Active v1
— m/ha Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
LowerThreshold Active v1