Gully Density

AUS-TSR-LVG-GUL General High confidence

Benchmark Value

0 m/ha
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 OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

Reference Value: 0 m/ha of active gully length

Metric Definition:

Active gully density measured as the length of active, accelerated gully erosion per hectare of land.

Benchmark Definition:

The benchmark represents the ideal state of high ecological health and landscape stability characterized by zero active gully erosion.

Justification:

The benchmark is supported by the Queensland Government land condition framework defining 'A' condition as no erosion, large-scale mapping showing very low to low gully presence in stable grazing landscapes, and grazing exclusion studies demonstrating cessation of active erosion.

Sources (2)

Preview of Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (Shellberg et al. 2016)
Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (Shellberg et al. 2016) Journal

Reef protection regulations Grazing guide (QLD Govt 2022)

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www.publications.qld.gov.au, accessed May 13, 2025 Journal

Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment

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Supporting Sources (31)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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A Revegetation Guide for Sub-Tropical Forest - Greening Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

World Heritage places - Gondwana Rainforests of Australia - DCCEEW, accessed July 21, 2025,

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Preview of A Revegetation Guide for Sub-Tropical Forest - Greening Australia, accessed July 19, 2025
A Revegetation Guide for Sub-Tropical Forest - Greening Australia, accessed July 19, 2025
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A Revegetation Guide for Sub-Tropical Forest - Greening Australia, accessed July 19, 2025

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Agricultural ERA standard for beef cattle grazing - version 2 - Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Agricultural ERA standard for beef cattle grazing - version 2 - Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, accessed July 19, 2025

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Assessment of UAV and Ground-Based Structure from Motion with, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Assessment of UAV and Ground-Based Structure from Motion with, accessed July 19, 2025

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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
Contextual Support Journal

The hydrogeomorphic influences on alluvial gully erosion along the Mitchell River fluvial megafan

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Preview of CLEARING OUR RAINFALL AWAY - Cloudfront.net, accessed July 19, 2025
CLEARING OUR RAINFALL AWAY - Cloudfront.net, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Natural Values of North East NSW - Cloudfront.net, accessed July 19, 2025

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collation and review of stem density data and thinning prescriptions ..., accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support

collation and review of stem density data and thinning prescriptions for the vegetation communities of new south - Environment and Heritage

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Preview of Digging up the dirt on water quality on the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO, accessed July 19, 2025,
Digging up the dirt on water quality on the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Digging up the dirt on water quality on the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO, accessed July 23, 2025

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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 Journal

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.

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Preview of ecollaboration.org.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
ecollaboration.org.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Gully Erosion | ECOllaboration

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Preview of Effect of reduced grazing pressure on sediment and nutrient yields in savanna rangeland streams draining to the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO Research Publications Repository
Effect of reduced grazing pressure on sediment and nutrient yields in savanna rangeland streams draining to the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO Research Publications Repository
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) A review of the salt sensitivity of the Australian freshwater biota

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Preview of FLORA - Bundanon, accessed July 19, 2025
FLORA - Bundanon, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

FLORA - Bundanon, accessed July 19, 2025

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Preview of Getting ground cover right: thresholds and baselines for a healthier reef RRRD027, accessed July 19, 2025
Getting ground cover right: thresholds and baselines for a healthier reef RRRD027, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Sustainable management of the Burdekin grazing lands - FutureBeef, accessed July 19, 2025

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Preview of Grazing Lands - Northern Gulf NRM Plan, accessed July 30, 2025
Grazing Lands - Northern Gulf NRM Plan, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Grazing Lands - Northern Gulf NRM Plan, accessed July 30, 2025

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Preview of Gully density map of the study assessment area (kilometres... - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025,
Gully density map of the study assessment area (kilometres... - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Gully erosion prediction across a large region ... - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025

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Preview of Gully erosion in north-eastern Australian rangelands as a result of fragile soils, seasonal drought and grazing. Photo - ResearchGate, accessed August 12, 2025
Gully erosion in north-eastern Australian rangelands as a result of fragile soils, seasonal drought and grazing. Photo - ResearchGate, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Hillslope runoff and erosion on duplex soils in grazing lands in semi-arid central Queensland. I. Influences of cover, slope, and soil - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025

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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 GreyLiterature

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

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Preview of Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (RP66G) Summary Report - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 1, 2025,
Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (RP66G) Summary Report - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Grazing impacts on gully dynamics indicate approaches for gully erosion control in northeast Australia - The Australian National University

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Preview of Hillslope gully erosion in savanna rangelands tributary to the Great Barrier Reef: Investigation of hydrogeomorphic processes - USC Research Bank, accessed July 22, 2025,
Hillslope gully erosion in savanna rangelands tributary to the Great Barrier Reef: Investigation of hydrogeomorphic processes - USC Research Bank, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Hillslope gully erosion in savanna rangelands tributary to the Great Barrier Reef: Investigation of hydrogeomorphic processes, sediment and nutrient yields (PhD Thesis)

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Preview of Identification of priority pollutants and priority areas in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - Reef & Rainforest Research Centre, accessed July 20, 2025,
Identification of priority pollutants and priority areas in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - Reef & Rainforest Research Centre, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Brodie, J., Pearson, R., Lewis, S., Bainbridge, Z., Waterhouse, J. and Prange, J. (2009) Water Quality Research: Baseline Synthesis and Year 1 Summary - ResearchOnline@JCU - James Cook University

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Improving gully density maps for modelling water quality within Great Barrier Reef Catchments - MSSANZ, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Improving gully density maps for modelling water quality within Great Barrier Reef Catchments - MSSANZ, accessed July 20, 2025

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Preview of Managing ground cover for economic and sustainability outcomes on grazing lands in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon catchments. - Queensland Government publications, accessed May 11, 2025,
Managing ground cover for economic and sustainability outcomes on grazing lands in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon catchments. - Queensland Government publications, accessed May 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Queensland Reef Water Quality Program | Environment, land and water

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Modelling reductions of pollutant loads due to improved ..., accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

MANAGING NATIVE GRASSLAND - Hotspots Fire Project, accessed August 28, 2025,

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Preview of Motivations, risks and skills of graziers to inform extension for management of high levels of ground cover - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 19, 2025
Motivations, risks and skills of graziers to inform extension for management of high levels of ground cover - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers, accessed July 28, 2025

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Preview of nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell ...

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Preview of Pasture management for South East Queensland - FutureBeef, accessed July 19, 2025
Pasture management for South East Queensland - FutureBeef, accessed July 19, 2025
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Understanding Soils and Nutrients - Australian Native Plants Society (Australia)

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Preview of Program - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025,
Program - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Rehabilitation effects on gully sediment yields and vegetation in a savanna rangeland - CSIRO Research Publications Repository

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Preview of Reducing sediment sources to the Reef: Managing alluvial gully erosion - NESP TWQ, accessed July 19, 2025
Reducing sediment sources to the Reef: Managing alluvial gully erosion - NESP TWQ, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Reducing sediment sources to the Reef: Managing alluvial gully erosion - NESP TWQ, accessed July 19, 2025

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Preview of Reef protection regulations Grazing guide Version 2 - Queensland ..., accessed July 19, 2025
Reef protection regulations Grazing guide Version 2 - Queensland ..., accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Assessing gully erosion and rehabilitation using multi temporal LiDAR DEMs: Case study from the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025

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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,

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Preview of What determines soil organic carbon stocks in the grazing lands of north-eastern Australia?
What determines soil organic carbon stocks in the grazing lands of north-eastern Australia?
Contextual Support Journal

MACKAY WHITSUNDAY REGION SUSTAINABLE GRAZING GUIDE - WetlandInfo

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

Gully erosion is a degradation process; the optimal state is zero active gullies. Minor, fully stabilized historical features (<5 m/ha) may be consistent with good condition, but any active erosion is detrimental. There is no single upper detrimental threshold value; functional thresholds correspond to shifts in land condition classes. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always worse. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.