Invasive Species Presence

AUS-TGP-LVG-ISP General High confidence

Benchmark Value

5 %

Range: — to 5 %

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 5

Optimal Range: — to 5

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Contributing Benchmarks

CompositeFramework Primary MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Therefore, the benchmark for best available condition regarding invasive species presence in Australian Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains under sustainable livestock grazing is: less than 5% total projective foliage cover of exotic species.

Metric Definition:

Total projective foliage cover of exotic species

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the best available condition for invasive species presence in Australian Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains under sustainable livestock grazing, defined as less than 5% total projective foliage cover of exotic species.

Justification:

This is validated by field studies showing that minimally disturbed 'benchmark' sites have very low exotic cover. The value reflects a state of high ecological integrity that is achievable under best-practice regenerative grazing which actively promotes competition from native perennial grasses and maintains high ground cover (>90%).

Supporting Sources (39)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) A framework to predict the effects of livestock grazing and grazing exclusion on conservation values in natural ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

(PDF) A framework to predict the effects of livestock grazing and grazing exclusion on conservation values in natural ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support

Effect of free-ranging cattle on mammalian diversity: an Austral Yungas case study | Oryx

Preview of African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) - NSW WeedWise, accessed August 12, 2025,

African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) - NSW WeedWise, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Government

African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) - NSW WeedWise, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Australia faces wave of native extinctions without urgent action on invasive species, CSIRO reports | Environment | The Guardian, accessed August 6, 2025,

Australia faces wave of native extinctions without urgent action on invasive species, CSIRO reports | Environment | The Guardian, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Australia faces wave of native extinctions without urgent action on invasive species, CSIRO reports | Environment | The Guardian, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Australia's Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity - DCCEEW, accessed August 6, 2025,

Australia's Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity - DCCEEW, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Australia's Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity - DCCEEW, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Australia's Native Vegetation Framework - DAFF, accessed August 6, 2025,

Australia's Native Vegetation Framework - DAFF, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Soil nitrogen dynamics in natural forest ecosystem: a review - Frontiers, accessed August 28, 2025,

Preview of Australian Journal of Botany - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed August 6, 2025,

Australian Journal of Botany - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Improved forest management - CSIRO

Preview of Biodiversity Conservation Trust Livestock grazing guidelines, accessed August 6, 2025

Biodiversity Conservation Trust Livestock grazing guidelines, accessed August 6, 2025

Contextual Support

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au, accessed April 29, 2025,

Preview of BioMetric: Vegetation condition benchmarks, short-term review, accessed August 10, 2025,

BioMetric: Vegetation condition benchmarks, short-term review, accessed August 10, 2025,

Direct Evidence Methodology Source

The importance of temperate woodland in travelling stock reserves ..., accessed August 12, 2025,

Preview of Climate change mitigation as a co-benefit of regenerative ranching: insights from Australia and the United States - PMC, accessed July 10, 2025,

Climate change mitigation as a co-benefit of regenerative ranching: insights from Australia and the United States - PMC, accessed July 10, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Long term effects of different stocking strategies on land condition and profitabilty in a highly variable climate, accessed July 18, 2025

Preview of Comparison of grazed and cleared temperate grassy woodlands in eastern Australia: patterns in space and inferences in time - ResearchGate, accessed July 10, 2025,

Comparison of grazed and cleared temperate grassy woodlands in eastern Australia: patterns in space and inferences in time - ResearchGate, accessed July 10, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Comparison of grazed and cleared temperate grassy woodlands in eastern Australia: patterns in space and inferences in time - ResearchGate

Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support

Ludwig, J.A., Bastin, G.N., Chewings, V.H., Eager, R.W., and Liedloff, A.C. (2005). Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes. Rangeland Journal, 27(2), 135-149.

Preview of Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Yellow Box – Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived ...

Preview of Expert commentary: Invasive species driving Australian biodiversity loss - CSIRO, accessed July 13, 2025

Expert commentary: Invasive species driving Australian biodiversity loss - CSIRO, accessed July 13, 2025

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Environmental DNA provides higher resolution assessment of riverine biodiversity and ecosystem function via spatio-temporal nestedness and turnover partitioning

Preview of Fighting Plagues and Predators - CSIRO, accessed August 12, 2025,

Fighting Plagues and Predators - CSIRO, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Fighting plagues and predators to protect Australia's biodiversity - CSIRO, accessed August 9, 2025,

Preview of Grassy eucalypt woodland of the Victorian volcanic plain - listing advice, accessed August 4, 2025

Grassy eucalypt woodland of the Victorian volcanic plain - listing advice, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands of the VVP: Landholders Guide - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Grazing Management - Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party, accessed August 6, 2025,

Grazing Management - Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Grazing Management - Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Grazing strategies for managing African lovegrass - Local Land Services, accessed August 6, 2025,

Grazing strategies for managing African lovegrass - Local Land Services, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence

Grazing strategies for managing African lovegrass - Local Land Services, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia, accessed August 10, 2025,

Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia, accessed August 10, 2025,

Contextual Support

Is there a close association between 'soils' and 'vegetation'? A case study from central western New South Wales, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of How Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers, accessed August 5, 2025,

How Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem ... - Frontiers

Preview of Integrated Management Strategies for the Control of Serrated Tussock in Inaccessible Native Pastures - MLA, accessed August 12, 2025,

Integrated Management Strategies for the Control of Serrated Tussock in Inaccessible Native Pastures - MLA, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Integrated Management Strategies for the Control of Serrated Tussock in Inaccessible Native Pastures - MLA, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Invasive species and range shifts | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 15, 2025

Invasive species and range shifts | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 15, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Invasive species and range shifts | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 15, 2025

Preview of Limited evidence for the use of livestock for the conservation management of exotic plant cover - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 6, 2025,

Limited evidence for the use of livestock for the conservation management of exotic plant cover - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Limited evidence for the use of livestock for the conservation management of exotic plant cover - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Livestock as a potential biological control agent for an invasive wetland plant - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025,

Livestock as a potential biological control agent for an invasive wetland plant - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Livestock as a potential biological control agent for an invasive wetland plant - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW ...

Preview of Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025,

Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 10, 2025,

Preview of New pasture plants intensify invasive species risk - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 6, 2025,

New pasture plants intensify invasive species risk - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Impacts and management of feral horses in the Australian Alps Submission 25 - Parliament of Australia, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Preview of New pasture plants intensify invasive species risk - PNAS, accessed August 6, 2025,

New pasture plants intensify invasive species risk - PNAS, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

New pasture plants intensify invasive species risk - PNAS

Preview of Non-Native Eragrostis curvula Impacts Diversity of Pastures in South-Eastern Australia Even When Native Themeda triandra Remains Co-Dominant, accessed August 6, 2025,

Non-Native Eragrostis curvula Impacts Diversity of Pastures in South-Eastern Australia Even When Native Themeda triandra Remains Co-Dominant, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Non-Native Eragrostis curvula Impacts Diversity of Pastures in South-Eastern Australia Even When Native Themeda triandra Remains Co-Dominant, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Protecting native grasses – ANU Sustainable Farms, accessed August 6, 2025,

Protecting native grasses – ANU Sustainable Farms, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Native grasses and pastures | Native pasture management | Land ..., accessed May 19, 2025,

Preview of Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com, accessed August 5, 2025,

Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com

Preview of Regional Local Weed Management Plan Serrated tussock - Nassella trichotoma, accessed August 6, 2025,

Regional Local Weed Management Plan Serrated tussock - Nassella trichotoma, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence

Regional Local Weed Management Plan Serrated tussock - Nassella trichotoma, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Restoration of temperate savannas and woodlands - Forest Service, accessed August 6, 2025,

Restoration of temperate savannas and woodlands - Forest Service, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support

Restoration of temperate savannas and woodlands - USDA Forest Service, accessed May 19, 2025

Preview of Serrated tussock - Australian Wool Innovation, accessed August 12, 2025,

Serrated tussock - Australian Wool Innovation, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Serrated tussock - Australian Wool Innovation, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) - NSW WeedWise, accessed August 6, 2025,

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) - NSW WeedWise, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Government

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) - NSW WeedWise, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 6, 2025,

Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The water quality and economic benefits of agricultural management practices

Preview of Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025

Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Managing natural areas | City of Gold Coast, accessed May 19, 2025

Preview of Turner Review No. 13. A framework to predict the effects of livestock grazing and grazing exclusion on conservation values in natural ecosystems in Australia - Charles Sturt University Research Output, accessed August 6, 2025,

Turner Review No. 13. A framework to predict the effects of livestock grazing and grazing exclusion on conservation values in natural ecosystems in Australia - Charles Sturt University Research Output, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Turner Review No. 13. A framework to predict the effects of livestock grazing and grazing exclusion on conservation values in natural ecosystems in Australia - Charles Sturt University Research Output, accessed August 6, 2025,

Preview of Unassisted invasions: understanding and responding to Australia's high-impact environmental grass weeds - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 6, 2025,

Unassisted invasions: understanding and responding to Australia's high-impact environmental grass weeds - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

INVASIVE GRASSES WEED FACT SHEET - Centre for Invasive ..., accessed August 9, 2025,

Preview of Vegetation Quality Assessment Manual – Guidelines ... - Environment, accessed August 6, 2025,

Vegetation Quality Assessment Manual – Guidelines ... - Environment, accessed August 6, 2025,

Direct Evidence Methodology Source Journal

Vegetation-Quality-Assessment-Manual-Version-1.3.pdf - Environment, accessed August 2, 2025

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Conservation Target
Vegetation Grassland
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Superseded
Version 1
Effective From 13 Mar 2026
Effective To 13 Mar 2026

Notes

Within this 5% total, the cover of designated high-threat, transformer species (such as Nassella trichotoma or Eragrostis curvula) should approach zero. A truly high-condition site is characterized not just by low overall weediness, but by the near-complete absence of the most ecologically damaging invaders.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-LVG-ISP family.