Gully Density

AUS-AIF-AGR-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

5 m/ha

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 5

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

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 this evidence, a gully density of > 5 m/ha can be established as a scientifically defensible Upper Detrimental Threshold.

Metric Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold of gully density indicating severe landscape degradation.

Benchmark Definition:

A gully density value above which the landscape is severely degraded and ecological and productive functions are critically impaired.

Justification:

This value corresponds to the most eroded 3% of landscapes in the Murray-Darling Basin, representing systemic landscape dysfunction.

Sources (1)

Preview of Gully erosion - Enviro Data SA, accessed July 18, 2025

Gully erosion - Enviro Data SA, accessed July 18, 2025 Journal

Gully erosion - Enviro Data SA, accessed May 11, 2025

Supporting Sources (14)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Drivers of Gully Erosion and its Socio-economic and Environmental Effects in a Tropical Semi-arid Environment - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025,

(PDF) Drivers of Gully Erosion and its Socio-economic and Environmental Effects in a Tropical Semi-arid Environment - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Drivers of Gully Erosion and its Socio-economic and Environmental Effects in a Tropical Semi-arid Environment - ResearchGate

Preview of (PDF) The Topographic Threshold of Gully Erosion and Contributing Factors

(PDF) The Topographic Threshold of Gully Erosion and Contributing Factors

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) The Topographic Threshold of Gully Erosion and Contributing Factors

Preview of Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 8, 2025,

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

What is the best technique to estimate topographic thresholds of ...

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

Preview of Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (RP66G) Summary Report - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 1, 2025,

Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (RP66G) Summary Report - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 1, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

INNOVATIONS FOR REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPE ... - Soils For Life

Preview of Gully Morphological Characteristics and Topographic Threshold Determined by UAV in a Small Watershed on the Loess Plateau - MDPI, accessed July 16, 2025,

Gully Morphological Characteristics and Topographic Threshold Determined by UAV in a Small Watershed on the Loess Plateau - MDPI, accessed July 16, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Gully Morphological Characteristics and Topographic Threshold Determined by UAV in a Small Watershed on the Loess Plateau - MDPI

Preview of Impact of Soil Erosion on Production in Cropping Systems. II.* Simulation of Production and Erosion Risks for a Wheat

Impact of Soil Erosion on Production in Cropping Systems. II.* Simulation of Production and Erosion Risks for a Wheat

Contextual Support Journal

Impact of soil erosion on production in cropping systems .II. Simulation of production and erosion risks for a wheat cropping system - ResearchGate

Preview of Managing soils - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed August 12, 2025

Managing soils - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed August 12, 2025

Direct Evidence Government

Repairing gully erosion in Western Australia | Department of Primary ...

Preview of National Guidance on Acid Sulfate Soils - Water Quality Australia

National Guidance on Acid Sulfate Soils - Water Quality Australia

Contextual Support Journal

Managing soils - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

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,

Preview of Program - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025,

Program - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Review of soil erosion modelling involving water with field applications - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 27, 2025,

Preview of Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries

Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries

Contextual Support Journal

Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries

Preview of Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 30, 2025,

Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Managing soils during and after drought in cropping systems - Fact sheet - Soil CRC

Preview of Study area (all shaded areas), consisting of > 70% of mainland... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate

Study area (all shaded areas), consisting of > 70% of mainland... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Study area (all shaded areas), consisting of > 70% of mainland... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

At such densities, gullies form interconnected networks that dominate local hydrology and cause significant fragmentation and loss of productive land.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AIF-AGR-GUL family.