Gully Density

AUS-AMR-AGR-GUL General High confidence

Benchmark Value

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

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 LowerThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on these convergent lines of evidence, the only scientifically defensible benchmark for the density of active, eroding gullies in a landscape representing the best available condition under regenerative cropping is 0 m/ha.

Metric Definition:

Gully Density is the total length of active gullies per unit of land area, expressed as metres per hectare (m/ha).

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the ideal condition of zero active gully erosion in agricultural crop production landscapes within the Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands biome of Australia, indicating geomorphic stability and soil health under regenerative cropping.

Justification:

The benchmark is justified by the understanding that any active gully represents severe landscape degradation and that the goal of regenerative cropping is to prevent erosion and maintain soil health, thus the absence of active gullies indicates geomorphic stability.

Sources (1)

Preview of The relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed July 22, 2025,
The relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed July 22, 2025, Journal

Maintaining groundcover to reduce erosion and sustain production - NSW Department of Primary Industries

View Source

Supporting Sources (16)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of 'Tolerable' hillslope soil erosion rates in Australia: Linking science and policy | Request PDF, accessed August 3, 2025,
'Tolerable' hillslope soil erosion rates in Australia: Linking science and policy | Request PDF, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Gully density map of the study assessment area (kilometres... - ResearchGate, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of A review of the economics of regenerative agriculture in Western Australia - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed August 4, 2025
A review of the economics of regenerative agriculture in Western Australia - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

A review of the economics of regenerative agriculture in Western Australia - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed August 5, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Alluvial Gully Erosion: A Dominant Erosion Process Across Tropical Northern Australia - CORE, accessed July 16, 2025,
Alluvial Gully Erosion: A Dominant Erosion Process Across Tropical Northern Australia - CORE, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support

Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin ..., accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of ARID LANDS OF AUSTRALIA - Open Research Repository, accessed July 27, 2025,
ARID LANDS OF AUSTRALIA - Open Research Repository, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

ARID LANDS OF AUSTRALIA - Open Research Repository, accessed July 27, 2025,

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 Discover the Top 6 Benefits of Regenerative Farming in Australia, accessed August 5, 2025,
Discover the Top 6 Benefits of Regenerative Farming in Australia, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF

View Source
Preview of ecollaboration.org.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
ecollaboration.org.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Gully Erosion | ECOllaboration, 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
Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source
Preview of Gully erosion, land use and topographical thresholds during the last 60 years in a small rangeland catchment in SW Spain | CoLab, accessed July 27, 2025,
Gully erosion, land use and topographical thresholds during the last 60 years in a small rangeland catchment in SW Spain | CoLab, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Grazing impacts on gully dynamics indicate approaches for ..., accessed July 27, 2025,

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

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

View Source
Preview of Prioritising interventions for the reduction of erosion in classical gullies: a modelling study, accessed May 13, 2025
Prioritising interventions for the reduction of erosion in classical gullies: a modelling study, accessed May 13, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

2025 Guide: Australian Forestry & Sustainable Farming Standards, accessed July 31, 2025

View Source
Preview of Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025
Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

NCC: Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health - Wet Tropics Plan, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed July 27, 2025,
Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative Agriculture In Australia - Meegle, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
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 August 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil erosion and agricultural sustainability - PNAS, accessed July 27, 2025,
Soil erosion and agricultural sustainability - PNAS, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Soil erosion and agricultural sustainability - PNAS, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

The critical threshold is crossed as soon as gully density rises above zero. The optimal range is at or near 0 m/ha, and any density >0 m/ha is considered detrimental. Observed densities in degraded Australian landscapes provide a scale for assessing the degree of dysfunction: >0–1 m/ha indicates low degradation, 1–5 m/ha indicates moderate degradation, and >5 m/ha indicates severe degradation.