Litter Cover

Benchmark Value

5 %

Range: 5 to — %

Optimal Range: 5 to —

Direction: Higher 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.

Evidence & Context

In contrast, for treeless subalpine shrublands and grasslands, the benchmark is lower, with more than 5% organic litter being the threshold for an "adequate" score.

Metric Definition:

Percentage of the plot covered by organic litter.

Benchmark Definition:

In the Australian Alpine and Subalpine Complex, treeless subalpine shrublands and grasslands require at least 5% organic litter cover to be considered ecologically adequate.

Justification:

Threshold for an 'adequate' score in treeless subalpine shrublands and grasslands.

Sources (1)

Preview of Assessment of Habitat Quality: Subalpine

Assessment of Habitat Quality: Subalpine Journal

Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA). (2011). Assessment of Habitat Quality: Subalpine.

View Source

Supporting Sources (13)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

AHF Freshwater aquatic herbland

Direct Evidence Journal

AHF Freshwater aquatic herbland

View Source

Assessing the quality of native vegetation: The 'habitat hectares' approach

Direct Evidence Journal

short-term review

View Source

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). (2020). Victorian Alps Bioregion EVC Benchmarks.

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). (2020). Victorian Alps Bioregion EVC Benchmarks.

View Source

Flora and Fauna Report 2022

Direct Evidence Journal

Flora and Fauna Report 2022

View Source

Gelliondale Flora and Fauna Report

Direct Evidence Journal

Gelliondale Flora and Fauna Report

View Source

Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation - Environment

Direct Evidence Journal

Ecological Vegetation Class Benchmarks of the Victorian Alps Bioregion (Accessible) (DOCX, 844.0 KB) - Environment

View Source

Preview of Holmquist, J. G., Schmidt-Gengenbach, J., & Haultain, S. A. (2013). Effects of a Long-Term Disturbance on Arthropods and Vegetation in Subalpine Wetlands. PLOS ONE, 8(1).

Holmquist, J. G., Schmidt-Gengenbach, J., & Haultain, S. A. (2013). Effects of a Long-Term Disturbance on Arthropods and Vegetation in Subalpine Wetlands. PLOS ONE, 8(1).

Contextual Support Journal

Holmquist, J. G., Schmidt-Gengenbach, J., & Haultain, S. A. (2013). Effects of a Long-Term Disturbance on Arthropods and Vegetation in Subalpine Wetlands. PLOS ONE, 8(1).

View Source

Mapping Windthrow Severity as Change in Canopy Cover in a Temperate Eucalypt Forest

Direct Evidence Methodology Source Journal

Somerville, M. et al. (2019). Function attribute benchmarks for the Biodiversity Assessment Method. NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

View Source