Bare Ground — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

5 %

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: LowerThreshold

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 16 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 15 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Proposed Threshold: Sustained Bare Ground >5%.

Metric Definition:

Bare ground, defined as soil surface not protected by vegetation (including live plants, lichens, and mosses), litter, standing dead plant material, gravel, or rocks

Benchmark Definition:

The point at which an increase in bare ground beyond the optimal range signals a potential departure from the 'best available condition'.

Justification:

If the percentage of bare ground consistently exceeds 5% across a management unit, it suggests that current management practices may not be achieving the 'best available condition,' or that other environmental stressors are impacting ground cover.

Sources (1)

Preview of research-repository.griffith.edu.au, accessed on May 25, 2025,

research-repository.griffith.edu.au, accessed on May 25, 2025, Journal

Impacts of Camping and Trampling on Australian Alpine and Subalpine Vegetation and Soils - Griffith Research Online

View Source

Supporting Sources (10)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Alpine and subalpine snow patch vegetation on the Bogong High Plains, SE Australia

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Alpine and subalpine snow patch vegetation on the Bogong High Plains, SE Australia

View Source

Fire Severity and Plant Community Dynamics in Montane Ecosystems in the Australian Alps, Southeastern New South Wales

Contextual Support Journal

Microbial activity and survival in soils dried at different rates - CSIRO Publishing

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Gunningrah – Shifting mindset from animals to the land

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Gunningrah – Shifting mindset from animals to the land

View Source

Meat & Livestock Australia. (n.d.). Maintain ground cover. MLA.

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Best Management Practices for Temperate Perennial Pastures in New South Wales, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source

Severely degraded high mountain vegetation

Contextual Support Journal

Severely degraded high mountain vegetation

View Source

Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 6, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed May 10, 2026

View Source

theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Phosphorus Nutrition of Proteaceae in Severely Phosphorus-Impoverished Soils: Are There Lessons To Be Learned for Future Crops? - PubMed Central

View Source

www.barrierreef.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture Program restoring soil pH case study: Macdonald, Whites Flat/Koppio, accessed July 18, 2025,

View Source

www.deeca.vic.gov.au, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au, accessed on May 25, 2025

View Source

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Plant nutrients in the soil - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 18, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 28 May 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 5 %. Serves as an early warning indicator. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-LVG-BAR family.