Gully Density

AUS-TMI-AGR-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0 m/ha
Range: 0 to 0 m/ha
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

The only scientifically defensible and logically consistent benchmark for active gully density in a best-practice sustainable or regenerative cropping system is 0 m/ha.

Metric Definition:

Gully Density, expressed as the total length of active gully channels per unit of land area (e.g., metres per hectare, m/ha), is the standard metric for quantifying the spatial extent and severity of this degradation process.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the ideal state of zero active gully density in agricultural crop production on tropical and subtropical maritime islands in Australia, indicating a stable landscape with effective soil and water conservation.

Justification:

The benchmark is derived from a robust and logical argument based on the foundational principles of soil conservation and the explicit goals of sustainable and regenerative agriculture. Confidence is Moderate due to the absence of direct empirical field measurements in the specific context.

Sources (1)

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

Supporting Sources (33)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Gully Erosion and Land Degradation - ResearchGate, accessed July 13, 2025,
(PDF) Gully Erosion and Land Degradation - ResearchGate, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil erosion: the greatest challenge for sustainable soil management - FAO Knowledge Repository, accessed July 27, 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 Effect of Gully Erosion on the Environment - ResearchGate, accessed July 27, 2025,
Effect of Gully Erosion on the Environment - ResearchGate, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support

Effect of Gully Erosion on the Environment - ResearchGate, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Effect of Land Use Change on Gully Erosion Density in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China From 1965 to 2015: A Case Study of the Kedong County - Frontiers, accessed August 3, 2025
Effect of Land Use Change on Gully Erosion Density in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China From 1965 to 2015: A Case Study of the Kedong County - Frontiers, accessed August 3, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Understanding gully erosion development through a geomorphological approach | Soil and Water Research, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Effect of Land Use Change on Gully Erosion Density in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China From 1965 to 2015: A Case Study of the Kedong County - Frontiers, accessed July 27, 2025,
Effect of Land Use Change on Gully Erosion Density in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China From 1965 to 2015: A Case Study of the Kedong County - Frontiers, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Effect of Land Use Change on Gully Erosion Density in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China From 1965 to 2015: A Case Study of the Kedong County - Frontiers, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Erosion along Unformed Roads, Tracks, Firebreaks and Fencelines in Eastern Cape York Peninsula and Best Management Practices, accessed July 27, 2025,
Erosion along Unformed Roads, Tracks, Firebreaks and Fencelines in Eastern Cape York Peninsula and Best Management Practices, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Erosion along Unformed Roads, Tracks, Firebreaks and Fencelines in Eastern Cape York Peninsula and Best Management Practices, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Estimating the relative magnitude of expected increases in soil erosion from tree clearing and agricultural development on Cape York, accessed August 3, 2025,
Estimating the relative magnitude of expected increases in soil erosion from tree clearing and agricultural development on Cape York, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Estimating the relative magnitude of expected increases in soil erosion from tree clearing and agricultural development on Cape York, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Geomorphic Threshold for Gully Initiation in Different Geographical Environments of Wanjoga River Catchment, Tana Basin, Kenya - Scientific Research Publishing, accessed August 3, 2025
Geomorphic Threshold for Gully Initiation in Different Geographical Environments of Wanjoga River Catchment, Tana Basin, Kenya - Scientific Research Publishing, accessed August 3, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Protecting Australia's diverse soils and landscapes | Sustainable Food Trust, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Geomorphic Threshold for Gully Initiation in Different Geographical Environments of Wanjoga River Catchment, Tana Basin, Kenya - Scientific Research Publishing, accessed July 27, 2025,
Geomorphic Threshold for Gully Initiation in Different Geographical Environments of Wanjoga River Catchment, Tana Basin, Kenya - Scientific Research Publishing, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

World's erosion experts gather at gateway to GBR - CSIRO, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Graphs, maps and tables | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 27, 2025,
Graphs, maps and tables | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Graphs, maps and tables | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 27, 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 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 Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed July 27, 2025,
Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Gully erosion: a comparison of contributing factors in two catchments in South Africa - University of Pretoria, accessed July 27, 2025,
Gully erosion: a comparison of contributing factors in two catchments in South Africa - University of Pretoria, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Gully erosion: a comparison of contributing factors in two catchments in South Africa - University of Pretoria, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Identification of gully erosion activity and its influencing factors: A case study of the Sunshui River Basin | PLOS One, accessed July 16, 2025,
Identification of gully erosion activity and its influencing factors: A case study of the Sunshui River Basin | PLOS One, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Classification of Erosion Gullies by Remote Sensing and Spatial Pattern Analysis in Black Soil Region of Eastern Kebai, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Illinois study: Novel AI methodology improves gully erosion prediction and interpretation, accessed July 27, 2025,
Illinois study: Novel AI methodology improves gully erosion prediction and interpretation, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Illinois study: Novel AI methodology improves gully erosion prediction and interpretation, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture improves soil health, accessed July 30, 2025,
Landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture improves soil health, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil Health and Regenerative Agriculture - Southern Queensland Landscapes, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Mid and long-term ecological impacts of ski run construction on ..., accessed August 17, 2025,
Mid and long-term ecological impacts of ski run construction on ..., accessed August 17, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Prioritising interventions for the reduction of erosion in classical gullies: a modelling study, accessed August 1, 2025,
Prioritising interventions for the reduction of erosion in classical gullies: a modelling study, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Vulnerability ofPacific Island agriculture and forestry to climate change - The Pacific Community, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Prioritising interventions for the reduction of erosion in classical gullies: a modelling study, accessed July 27, 2025,
Prioritising interventions for the reduction of erosion in classical gullies: a modelling study, accessed July 27, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

Mapping Permanent Gullies in an Agricultural Area Using Satellite Images: Efficacy of Machine Learning Algorithms - ResearchGate, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
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,

View Source
Preview of Program - CSIRO, accessed July 27, 2025,
Program - CSIRO, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Program - CSIRO, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Protecting Australia's diverse soils and landscapes | Sustainable Food Trust, accessed July 13, 2025,
Protecting Australia's diverse soils and landscapes | Sustainable Food Trust, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Causes and Effects of Gully Erosion on Agricultural Lands and the Environment, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Reef protection regulations Banana Erosion and sediment control guide Version 2 - Queensland Government, accessed July 18, 2025,
Reef protection regulations Banana Erosion and sediment control guide Version 2 - Queensland Government, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Repairing gully erosion in Western Australia - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed July 27, 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 Repairing gully erosion in Western Australia | Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed July 13, 2025,
Repairing gully erosion in Western Australia | Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

A framework for developing completion criteria for mine closure and rehabilitation - The Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Sustainable Agriculture | NQ Dry Tropics, accessed July 18, 2025,
Sustainable Agriculture | NQ Dry Tropics, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Chapter 13 Gully erosion and its control - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Sustainable soil management in tropical agriculture - ResearchOnline@JCU
Sustainable soil management in tropical agriculture - ResearchOnline@JCU
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of The main Environmental Implications of Gully Erosion, accessed July 27, 2025,
The main Environmental Implications of Gully Erosion, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The main Environmental Implications of Gully Erosion, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of These regenerative agriculture trials prove that farming can improve soil health without sacrificing yield - OP2B, accessed July 27, 2025,
These regenerative agriculture trials prove that farming can improve soil health without sacrificing yield - OP2B, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Effects of vegetation restoration on soil aggregate characteristics and soil erodibility at gully head in Loess hilly and, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Timor-Leste: preliminary assessment of a rapidly eroding landscape in the Coral Triangle, accessed July 27, 2025,
Timor-Leste: preliminary assessment of a rapidly eroding landscape in the Coral Triangle, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Timor-Leste: preliminary assessment of a rapidly eroding landscape in the Coral Triangle, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Visualizing Soil Properties: Effects of Ground Cover on Soil - YouTube, accessed July 27, 2025,
Visualizing Soil Properties: Effects of Ground Cover on Soil - YouTube, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Reef protection regulations Banana Erosion and sediment control guide Version 2 - Queensland Government, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of www.nqdrytropics.com.au, accessed May 11, 2025,
www.nqdrytropics.com.au, accessed May 11, 2025,
Contextual Support

Full article: Overcoming agricultural sustainability challenges in water-limited environments through soil health and water conservation: insights from the Ogallala Aquifer Region, USA - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values indicate degradation. The benchmark of 0 m/ha represents the absence of active gully erosion, synonymous with best-practice sustainable and regenerative agriculture.