Bare Ground — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 10 to 20 %

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 30

Optimal Range: 10 to 20

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 4 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The reference value of 10-20% bare ground is selected as the benchmark representing the best available condition for Temperate Dry Woodlands and Native Grasslands managed as Conservation / Protected Natural Areas in Australia.

Metric Definition:

Bare ground, quantified as the percentage of exposed soil surface not covered by live vegetation, plant litter, or rock.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the optimal range of bare ground percentage in Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands under conservation land use, balancing minimal detrimental bare ground with natural small-scale bare patches that support structural diversity and microhabitats.

Justification:

This range is derived from ecological condition benchmarks used by the ACT Government for monitoring high-quality White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland (BGW) and Natural Temperate Grassland (NTG) in environmental offset and conservation areas.

Sources (1)

Environmental Offsets Ecological Monitoring Program Report 2019–20 - Planning Journal

Environmental Offsets Ecological Monitoring Program Report 2019–20 - Planning

View Source

Supporting Sources (12)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Temperate Woodland Conservation and Management. - ResearchGate

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed August 11, 2025,

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Chapter 5. Managing Australia's protected areas - CSIRO, accessed August 2, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Chapter 5. Managing Australia's protected areas - CSIRO, accessed May 17, 2025,

View Source

Preview of Foraging ecology of ground-feeding woodland birds in temperate woodlands of southern Australia: Emu - Austral Ornithology: Vol 106, No 1 - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed May 17, 2025,

Foraging ecology of ground-feeding woodland birds in temperate woodlands of southern Australia: Emu - Austral Ornithology: Vol 106, No 1 - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed May 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed May 17, 2025,

View Source

Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands of the VVP: Landholders Guide - Greening Australia, accessed August 11, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

www.greeningaustralia.org.au, accessed May 17, 2025,

View Source

Lindenmayer, D. B., et al. (2022). New restoration approaches are needed to conserve woodland birds. Emu - Austral Ornithology, 122(3-4), 210-220.

Contextual Support Journal

existing environment 5 - components of biodiversity, 5.1 ecological and physical environmental processes, accessed May 17, 2025,

View Source

Maintaining groundcover to reduce erosion and sustain production - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Lang, D. (1979). Groundcover for pastures. Journal of Soil Conservation NSW.

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Natural Temperate Grassland Endangered ... - ACT Government

Contextual Support Journal

Natural Temperate Grassland Endangered ... - ACT Government

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Plan of Management Guidelines - DCCEEW, accessed May 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Plan of Management Guidelines - DCCEEW, accessed May 17, 2025,

View Source

Plots & Transects - TERN Australia, accessed July 15, 2025

Contextual Support

TERN Landscapes - Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, accessed May 17, 2025,

View Source

Preview of The importance of temperate woodland in travelling stock reserves for vertebrate biodiversity conservation | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 15, 2025,

The importance of temperate woodland in travelling stock reserves for vertebrate biodiversity conservation | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 15, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The importance of temperate woodland in travelling stock reserves for vertebrate biodiversity conservation | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 17, 2025,

View Source

Preview of The importance of Travelling Stock Reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands - Unpaywall, accessed July 15, 2025,

The importance of Travelling Stock Reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands - Unpaywall, accessed July 15, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The importance of Travelling Stock Reserves for ... - Unpaywall, accessed May 17, 2025,

View Source

Preview of The importance of travelling stock reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 15, 2025,

The importance of travelling stock reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 15, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The importance of travelling stock reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 17, 2025,

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 24 Mar 2026

Notes

The 10-20% bare ground range is considered optimal because it balances minimal detrimental bare ground with natural small-scale bare patches that contribute to structural diversity and provide microhabitats. The upper detrimental threshold is approximately 30%, beyond which significant ecological harm occurs.