Gully Density

AUS-TMS-CON-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0 m/ha
Range: 0 to 0 m/ha
Thresholds: Lower: 0, Upper: —
Optimal Range: 0 to 0
Direction: Higher 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 2 benchmarks together — the Point form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

Point Primary Point Guard

Evidence & Context

The reference value approaching 0 m/ha reflects the absence of active, erosional gullies (defined as incisions >0.3m deep) in best-available condition conservation sites.

Metric Definition:

Length of active gullies per unit area (e.g., meters per hectare, m/ha)

Benchmark Definition:

Gully Density is the length of active gullies per unit area, indicating landscape stability and erosion status in tropical monsoonal savanna conservation areas.

Justification:

The benchmark is based on the TERN controlled vocabulary category "No gully erosion" applied to 1 ha AusPlots survey sites in well-managed tropical monsoonal savanna conservation areas, supported by qualitative and semi-quantitative evidence from minimally disturbed protected areas such as Kakadu National Park.

Sources (1)

Preview of TERN. Soil gully water erosion degrees. TERN Controlled Vocabularies.
TERN. Soil gully water erosion degrees. TERN Controlled Vocabularies.

TERN. TERN Ecosystem Surveillance Monitoring.

View Source

Supporting Sources (6)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Alluvial Gully Prevention and Rehabilitation Options for Reducing Sediment Loads in the Normanby Catchment and Northern Australia - Cape York Water Quality, accessed July 16, 2025,
Alluvial Gully Prevention and Rehabilitation Options for Reducing Sediment Loads in the Normanby Catchment and Northern Australia - Cape York Water Quality, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Shellberg JG. Alluvial Gully Erosion in Northern Australia: Biogeomorphic Form, Process, and Integrated Management. PhD Dissertation, James Cook University; 2016.

View Source
Preview of McCloskey GL, Wasson RJ, Boggs GS, Douglas MM. Timing and causes of gully erosion in the riparian zone of the semi-arid tropical Victoria River, Australia: Management implications. Geomorphology. 2016;268:149-162.
McCloskey GL, Wasson RJ, Boggs GS, Douglas MM. Timing and causes of gully erosion in the riparian zone of the semi-arid tropical Victoria River, Australia: Management implications. Geomorphology. 2016;268:149-162.
Contextual Support Journal

McCloskey GL, Wasson RJ, Boggs GS, Douglas MM. Timing and causes of gully erosion in the riparian zone of the semi-arid tropical Victoria River, Australia: Management implications. Geomorphology. 2016;268:149-162.

View Source
Preview of National Committee on Soil and Terrain. Australian Soil and Land Survey Field Handbook. 4th Edition. CSIRO Publishing; 2021.
National Committee on Soil and Terrain. Australian Soil and Land Survey Field Handbook. 4th Edition. CSIRO Publishing; 2021.
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Wilkinson SN, Jarihani B, Pringle MJ, et al. Evaluating Hand-Held Laser Scanning for Monitoring Gully Morphology and Erosion. Remote Sensing. 2021;13(19):4004.

View Source
Preview of Reef Trust Phase IV—Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox—A technical guide for the Reef Trust Phase IV Gully and Stream Bank Erosio - DCCEEW, accessed May 13, 2025
Reef Trust Phase IV—Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox—A technical guide for the Reef Trust Phase IV Gully and Stream Bank Erosio - DCCEEW, accessed May 13, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Kuhnert PM, Rassam DW, O’Brien D, et al. Intensive gully remediation reduces event-based suspended sediment and nutrient export from a Great Barrier Reef catchment. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 2021;25(2):867-891.

View Source
Preview of Stobo-Wilson AM, Murphy BP, Legge SM, et al. Hollow Dearth: Tree Hollow Availability and Use by Mammals in Northern Australia and the Implications of Frequent Intense Fire. Forest Ecology and Management. 2021;497:119490.
Stobo-Wilson AM, Murphy BP, Legge SM, et al. Hollow Dearth: Tree Hollow Availability and Use by Mammals in Northern Australia and the Implications of Frequent Intense Fire. Forest Ecology and Management. 2021;497:119490.
Contextual Support Government

Stobo-Wilson AM, Murphy BP, Legge SM, et al. Hollow Dearth: Tree Hollow Availability and Use by Mammals in Northern Australia and the Implications of Frequent Intense Fire. Forest Ecology and Management. 2021;497:119490.

View Source
Preview of Woinarski JCZ, Horner P, Fisher A, et al. The Forest Fauna of the Northern Territory: Context, Species Richness, Distribution, Conservation Status and Management. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory; 2004.
Woinarski JCZ, Horner P, Fisher A, et al. The Forest Fauna of the Northern Territory: Context, Species Richness, Distribution, Conservation Status and Management. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory; 2004.
Contextual Support Journal

Woinarski JCZ, Horner P, Fisher A, et al. The Forest Fauna of the Northern Territory: Context, Species Richness, Distribution, Conservation Status and Management. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory; 2004.

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Vegetation Woodland
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Active, erosional gullies are defined as incisions >0.3m deep. The benchmark distinguishes these from stable, vegetated natural drainage lines or minor, stabilized historical features. The lower critical threshold is >0 m/ha, indicating any active gully presence signifies degradation. The optimal range is 0 m/ha, representing stable landscape conditions. The upper detrimental threshold is crossed when gully density exceeds a "Minor" classification, indicating degradation.