Invasive Species Presence

AUS-AMR-AGR-ISP General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: CompositeFramework

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Contributing Benchmarks

CompositeFramework Primary CompositeFramework Guard

Evidence & Context

For the indicator "Invasive Species Presence," the only scientifically defensible benchmark representing the "best available condition" in a high-health agricultural landscape is the functional absence of key, high-impact invasive species.

Metric Definition:

Presence or absence of key, high-impact invasive species in agricultural cropping systems within Australia's Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands.

Benchmark Definition:

Functional absence of key, high-impact invasive species as the benchmark for best available condition in agricultural cropping systems of Australia's Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands.

Justification:

This benchmark is supported by foundational invasion science, national policy frameworks, and large-scale, long-term, field-validated management programs such as Bounceback in the Flinders Ranges.

Sources (4)

Preview of A strategy for dealing with invasive species in Australia, accessed August 12, 2025,
A strategy for dealing with invasive species in Australia, accessed August 12, 2025, GreyLiterature

A Landscape Approach to Invasive Species Management - PMC - PubMed Central

View Source
Preview of Bounceback — fox control in the Flinders Ranges - PestSmart, accessed August 2, 2025
Bounceback — fox control in the Flinders Ranges - PestSmart, accessed August 2, 2025 GreyLiterature

Bounceback — fox control in the Flinders Ranges - PestSmart

View Source
Preview of Invader or feeder? Grass takes root in arid zone - Cosmos Magazine, accessed July 27, 2025
Invader or feeder? Grass takes root in arid zone - Cosmos Magazine, accessed July 27, 2025 GreyLiterature

Invader or feeder? Grass takes root in arid zone - Cosmos Magazine, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Invasive species and their impacts on agri-ecosystems - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed July 7, 2025
Invasive species and their impacts on agri-ecosystems - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed July 7, 2025 Journal

Expert commentary: Invasive species driving Australian biodiversity loss - CSIRO

View Source

Supporting Sources (21)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) CHAPTER 5 SUSTAINABLE CROPPING SYSTEMS: INNOVATION AND CHALLENGES - ResearchGate, accessed July 27, 2025
(PDF) CHAPTER 5 SUSTAINABLE CROPPING SYSTEMS: INNOVATION AND CHALLENGES - ResearchGate, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) CHAPTER 5 SUSTAINABLE CROPPING SYSTEMS: INNOVATION AND CHALLENGES - ResearchGate, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of A review of the economics of regenerative agriculture in Western Australia - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed August 4, 2025
A review of the economics of regenerative agriculture in Western Australia - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

A review of the economics of regenerative agriculture in Western Australia - DPIRD's Digital library

View Source
Preview of Boom and bust for biodiversity in arid Australia, accessed July 21, 2025,
Boom and bust for biodiversity in arid Australia, accessed July 21, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Managing biodiversity in arid Australia: a landscape view | Animals of Arid AustraliaOut on their own? | Australian Zoologist - Allen Press, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Bounceback - Managing invasive species in Australia - success stories - DCCEEW
Bounceback - Managing invasive species in Australia - success stories - DCCEEW
Contextual Support Government

A strategy for dealing with invasive species in Australia, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Case Study - Tweed Shire Council, accessed July 27, 2025
Case Study - Tweed Shire Council, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Case Study - Tweed Shire Council, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Classifying relationships that define interactions between native and invasive species in Australian ecosystems - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 27, 2025
Classifying relationships that define interactions between native and invasive species in Australian ecosystems - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support

Classifying relationships that define interactions between native and invasive species in Australian ecosystems - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Conservation Advice for Macrozamia macdonnellii (MacDonnell Ranges cycad) - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025
Conservation Advice for Macrozamia macdonnellii (MacDonnell Ranges cycad) - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Conservation Advice for Macrozamia macdonnellii (MacDonnell Ranges cycad) - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Environment Monitoring Systems & Data for Ecosystem Studies ..., accessed July 30, 2025,
Environment Monitoring Systems & Data for Ecosystem Studies ..., accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

(PDF) Evaluation of genetic markers for the metabarcoding of ...

View Source
Preview of Fighting Plagues and Predators - CSIRO, accessed August 12, 2025,
Fighting Plagues and Predators - CSIRO, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Fighting Plagues and Predators - CSIRO

View Source
Preview of Impacts of red meat production on biodiversity in Australia - Open Research Repository, accessed July 27, 2025
Impacts of red meat production on biodiversity in Australia - Open Research Repository, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Impacts of red meat production on biodiversity in Australia - Open Research Repository, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Invasive Species - Bushwalking Manual, accessed July 27, 2025
Invasive Species - Bushwalking Manual, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Invasive species and climate change, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Invasive species, problematic native species, and diseases ..., accessed May 20, 2025,
Invasive species, problematic native species, and diseases ..., accessed May 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

National RD&E Priorities for Invasive Plants and Animals, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Invasive Species: Finding solutions to stop their spread | U.S. Department of the Interior, accessed July 27, 2025
Invasive Species: Finding solutions to stop their spread | U.S. Department of the Interior, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Invasive Species: Finding solutions to stop their spread | U.S. Department of the Interior, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of MacDonnell Ranges - DCCEEW, accessed July 29, 2025,
MacDonnell Ranges - DCCEEW, accessed July 29, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

www.dcceew.gov.au, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms of Arid Region 9811941238, 9789811941238, accessed July 27, 2025
Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms of Arid Region 9811941238, 9789811941238, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms of Arid Region 9811941238, 9789811941238, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Rabbit warrens: an important resource for invasive alien species in semi-arid Australia, accessed July 27, 2025
Rabbit warrens: an important resource for invasive alien species in semi-arid Australia, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Rabbit warrens: an important resource for invasive alien species in semi-arid Australia, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Regenerative Agriculture - Landscape SA, accessed July 6, 2025,
Regenerative Agriculture - Landscape SA, accessed July 6, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Regenerative Agriculture Program - Landscape SA

View Source
Preview of Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Sustainable Cropping Systems - AquaEnergy Expo Knowledge Hub, accessed July 27, 2025
Sustainable Cropping Systems - AquaEnergy Expo Knowledge Hub, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Sustainable Cropping Systems - AquaEnergy Expo Knowledge Hub, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of TERN Ecosystem Research Infrastructure | School of Biological Sciences, accessed July 27, 2025
TERN Ecosystem Research Infrastructure | School of Biological Sciences, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) The Arid Zone Monitoring Project: combining Indigenous ecological expertise with scientific data analysis to assess the potential of using sign-based surveys to monitor vertebrates in the Australian deserts - ResearchGate, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of The physiology of invasive plants in low-resource environments - PMC, accessed July 27, 2025
The physiology of invasive plants in low-resource environments - PMC, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative farming: A 'natural way' to help counteract drought | Charlie Massy | Australian Story - YouTube, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

The benchmark is the functional absence of key, high-impact invasive species (e.g., rabbits, feral cats, buffel grass). The presence of transformer species or keystone pests is incompatible with high ecological health. The functional range is inverted: absence is ideal; establishment is detrimental threshold; no optimal range exists. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always worse.