Gully Density

AUS-TDG-AGR-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.1 m/ha
Range: 0 to 0.1 m/ha
Thresholds: Lower: 0, Upper: 0.1
Optimal Range: 0 to 0.1
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

Given the overwhelming emphasis in authoritative sources on the prevention of gully formation and the control of active erosion as integral to sustainable land management and high environmental health, the most scientifically defensible benchmark for active gully density in well-managed sustainable or regenerative cropping systems within the specified biome is approaching zero. For practical measurement and reporting, this can be represented as < 0.1 m/ha of active gullies.

Metric Definition:

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

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum acceptable length of active gullies per hectare in sustainable or regenerative cropping systems within the Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands biome, reflecting near-zero active erosion.

Justification:

This benchmark is founded on the principle that best-practice land management aims to prevent active soil erosion, and active gullies indicate ongoing degradation, thus the value < 0.1 m/ha represents a near-zero active erosion state achievable under sustainable/regenerative cropping.

Sources (3)

Preview of Chapter 13 Gully erosion and its control - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 12, 2025
Chapter 13 Gully erosion and its control - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 12, 2025 Journal

Gully erosion and environmental change: importance and research needs, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Gully erosion | Erosion | Soil | Farm management | Agriculture Victoria
Gully erosion | Erosion | Soil | Farm management | Agriculture Victoria Government

Gully erosion | Erosion | Soil | Farm management | Agriculture Victoria, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of No-Till Farming Victoria | Controlled Traffic | Zero Tillage - VicNoTill, accessed August 4, 2025,
No-Till Farming Victoria | Controlled Traffic | Zero Tillage - VicNoTill, accessed August 4, 2025, GreyLiterature

Fact sheet 5: Gully erosion, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (15)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of 10 Proven Runoff Management Tips to Boost Soil Health - - Farmonaut, accessed May 11, 2025
10 Proven Runoff Management Tips to Boost Soil Health - - Farmonaut, accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

10 Proven Runoff Management Tips to Boost Soil Health - - Farmonaut, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of A Revegetation Guide for Eucalypt Woodlands - Greening Australia, accessed August 10, 2025,
A Revegetation Guide for Eucalypt Woodlands - Greening Australia, accessed August 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Australia's Native Vegetation Framework - DAFF, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of A Revegetation Guide for Eucalypt Woodlands - Greening Australia, accessed May 11, 2025
A Revegetation Guide for Eucalypt Woodlands - Greening Australia, accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support

A Revegetation Guide for Eucalypt Woodlands - Greening Australia, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
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.

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 Effect of Gully Erosion on the Environment - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025
Effect of Gully Erosion on the Environment - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Gully erosion assessment and control guide - Local Land Services, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Gully erosion - Enviro Data SA, accessed July 18, 2025
Gully erosion - Enviro Data SA, accessed July 18, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source
Preview of Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed August 1, 2025,
Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Australia's State of the Forests Report, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Land | State of the Environment Report 2011, accessed August 10, 2025,
Land | State of the Environment Report 2011, accessed August 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Land Management | HEALTHY SOILS AUSTRALIA, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of LAND DEGRADATION AND THE AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY - Productivity Commission, accessed July 13, 2025,
LAND DEGRADATION AND THE AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY - Productivity Commission, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support

LAND DEGRADATION AND THE AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY - Productivity Commission, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Landscapes of the Lake Eyre Basin: the catchment-scale context that creates fluvial diversity, accessed July 22, 2025
Landscapes of the Lake Eyre Basin: the catchment-scale context that creates fluvial diversity, accessed July 22, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Monitoring groundcover and soil degradation | Erosion | Soil | Farm ..., accessed May 11, 2025
Monitoring groundcover and soil degradation | Erosion | Soil | Farm ..., accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Monitoring groundcover and soil degradation | Erosion - Agriculture Victoria, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Quantifying the effectiveness of gully remediation on water quality: results from Landholders Driving Change monitoring and demonstration sites. Milestone Report June 2022 - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed May 11, 2025
Quantifying the effectiveness of gully remediation on water quality: results from Landholders Driving Change monitoring and demonstration sites. Milestone Report June 2022 - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Quantifying the effectiveness of gully remediation on water quality: results from Landholders Driving Change monitoring and demonstration sites. Milestone Report June 2022 - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Reef Trust Phase IV—Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox—A technical guide for the Reef Trust Phase IV Gully and Stream Bank Erosio - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025
Reef Trust Phase IV—Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox—A technical guide for the Reef Trust Phase IV Gully and Stream Bank Erosio - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Gully Guide - Cape York Natural Resource Management, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Repairing gully erosion in Western Australia - Department of Agriculture and Food, accessed on May 29, 2025,
Repairing gully erosion in Western Australia - Department of Agriculture and Food, accessed on May 29, 2025,
Contextual Support

Repairing gully erosion in Western Australia - Department of Agriculture and Food, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: Any density of active gullies >0 m/ha indicates compromised ecological health and ongoing degradation. Optimal Range: 0 to <0.1 m/ha of active gullies, reflecting effective erosion control. Upper Detrimental Threshold: Any active gully density >0.1 m/ha is detrimental; increasing density signifies progressively worse degradation. There is no beneficial level of active gully erosion in this context.