Gully Density

AUS-AIF-URB-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

10 m/ha

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MinimumOnly

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 4 benchmarks together — the Point form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

Point Primary MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

A gully density exceeding 10 m/ha (equivalent to 0.1 km/km²) represents a critical transition point.

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 marks the critical threshold of gully density beyond which landscapes are considered significantly degraded, with severe ecological and economic impacts.

Justification:

This threshold marks the transition to a significantly degraded state with severe ecological and economic consequences.

Sources (2)

(PDF) Gully erosion prediction across a large region ... - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025, GreyLiterature

(PDF) Gully erosion prediction across a large region ... - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source

Preview of Desertification in Australia: Definition, Causes and Environmental Impact - Access EP, accessed July 13, 2025,

Desertification in Australia: Definition, Causes and Environmental Impact - Access EP, accessed July 13, 2025, GreyLiterature

Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin ..., accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

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

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
Land Use Urban & Developed Use
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

This value is derived from degraded non-urban landscapes and represents a critical failure point for urban systems. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always worse beyond this point.

Related Benchmarks

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