Ground Cover - Tree Canopy

AUS-TMI-LVG-TCC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

40 %

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 40

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: UpperThreshold

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 11 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 10 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

Consequently, a TCC greater than 40% constitutes an upper detrimental threshold, beyond which the system is at high risk of losing its fundamental character as a productive savanna.

Metric Definition:

Tree Canopy Cover (TCC) upper detrimental threshold

Benchmark Definition:

Critical upper threshold of Tree Canopy Cover above which ecosystem degradation occurs due to woody thickening.

Justification:

Above 40% TCC, pasture suppression and loss of fire-maintaining processes create a tipping point leading to ecosystem state change.

Sources (1)

Balancing trees and grass for improved grazing conditions in central Queensland

Balancing trees and grass for improved grazing conditions in central Queensland

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

This threshold marks the transition from productive savanna to closed-canopy woodland or forest.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMI-LVG-TCC family.