Ground Cover - Shrubs

AUS-ASC-CON-GCS General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

5 %

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.

Evidence & Context

The benchmark cover for this EVC reflects a high degree of structural layering, as illustrated in the following table: Small Shrub 5%.

Metric Definition:

Percentage cover of small shrubs in the understorey of Alpine Ash Forest (EVC 158)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the typical percentage cover of small shrubs in the understorey of Alpine Ash Forest within the Alpine and Subalpine Complex biome under pristine reference conditions.

Justification:

Derived from reference sites exhibiting minimal recent anthropogenic disturbance in the Highlands - Northern Fall bioregion.

Sources (1)

Highlands – Northern Fall bioregion - Environment Journal

Highlands – Northern Fall bioregion - Environment

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

WDA Eucalyptus dalrympleana forest: subalpine heathland facies

Direct Evidence Journal

WDA Eucalyptus dalrympleana forest: subalpine heathland facies

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Pristine Reference
Vegetation Forest
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 7 Apr 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. Represents a natural state benchmark for structural layering in subalpine forests.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-CON-GCS family.