Bare Ground

AUS-ASC-FOR-BAR General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 70
Direction: Lower 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.

Evidence & Context

"where more than 70% of the ground surface is bare, protective measures must be implemented"

Metric Definition:

Portion of forest floor where there is no protective cover

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the upper threshold of bare ground on forest floors in production forestry, beyond which protective measures must be implemented to reduce erosion risk.

Justification:

Threshold where erosion risk becomes unacceptable

Sources (1)

Preview of Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW - FAOLEX, accessed May 15, 2025
Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW - FAOLEX, accessed May 15, 2025 Journal

Natural Resources Commission (NRC) NSW. (2022). Final report: Private Native Forestry Review.

View Source

Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Cunningham, S. C., & Walsh, N. G. (2004). Treeless subalpine vegetation of the Kosciuszko region. Cunninghamia, 8(4), 439-452.
Cunningham, S. C., & Walsh, N. G. (2004). Treeless subalpine vegetation of the Kosciuszko region. Cunninghamia, 8(4), 439-452.
Direct Evidence Regulatory Framework Government

Treeless subalpine vegetation of the Kosciuszko region.

View Source
Preview of Foulkes, J., & Corkrey, R. (2021). Assessing the post-fire recovery of alpine shrublands: A study in the Tasmanian Highlands. Fire, 4(3), 32.
Foulkes, J., & Corkrey, R. (2021). Assessing the post-fire recovery of alpine shrublands: A study in the Tasmanian Highlands. Fire, 4(3), 32.
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Assessing the post-fire recovery of alpine shrublands.

View Source
Preview of Private Forests Tasmania (2021). Management of Natural regeneration in eucalypt plantations.
Private Forests Tasmania (2021). Management of Natural regeneration in eucalypt plantations.
Direct Evidence

Management of Natural regeneration in eucalypt plantations.

View Source
Preview of Soil erosion hazard, accessed July 20, 2025,
Soil erosion hazard, accessed July 20, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Forest Practices Authority Tasmania (2010). Technical Bulletin 2: Eucalyptus delegatensis forests.

View Source
Preview of Technical Bulletin 2: Eucalyptus delegatensis forests
Technical Bulletin 2: Eucalyptus delegatensis forests
Direct Evidence Journal

Forestry Tasmania. (2001). Eucalyptus delegatensis Forests. Technical Bulletin No. 2.

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Post-operational tracks/landings
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Superseded
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 26 Mar 2026
  • Effective To 7 Apr 2026

Notes

Trigger for remediation

Related Benchmarks

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

31 % Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
Point Active v7
— % High
Production Forestry · Post-operational tracks/landings
UpperThreshold Active v2
— % Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v2
20 % High
Production Forestry · Production Forestry
MaximumOnly Active v2
70 % Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
MinimumOnly Active v1
— % High
Production Forestry · Post-harvest regeneration
OptimalRange Active v1
70 % High
Production Forestry · Grassy regeneration sites
MinimumOnly Active v1
— % High
Production Forestry · Intensive site prep
OptimalRange Active v1
28 % Moderate
Production Forestry · Post-fire subalpine shrubland
Point Active v1
58 % Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
Point Superseded v6
16 % Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
Point Superseded v5
28 % Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
Point Superseded v4
31 % Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
Point Superseded v3
58 % Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
Point Superseded v2
16 % Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
Point Superseded v1
20 % High
Production Forestry · Production Forestry
MaximumOnly Superseded v1
— % Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Superseded v1