Ground Cover - Grasses

AUS-ASC-FOR-GCG General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Direction: Higher 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.

Evidence & Context

Grass cover in EVC 39 is lower than in EVC 37.

Metric Definition:

Relative grass cover compared to other EVCs

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark describes the relatively lower grass cover in Montane Wet Forest compared to Montane Grassy Woodland, reflecting differences in understory structure due to canopy and moisture conditions.

Justification:

Due to closed canopy and high rainfall, the understory is more mesic with more ferns and shrubs, reducing grass cover.

Sources (1)

Preview of Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation - Environment
Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation - Environment Journal

Native Vegetation Integrity Benchmarks - Environment and Heritage, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source

Supporting Sources (18)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of After the Logging - Victorian National Parks Association, accessed April 6, 2026
After the Logging - Victorian National Parks Association, accessed April 6, 2026
Direct Evidence Journal

After the Logging - Victorian National Parks Association, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of and forest type drive the occurrence of a specialist arboreal folivore - PMC
and forest type drive the occurrence of a specialist arboreal folivore - PMC
Direct Evidence Journal

final report on results of the WildCount program (2012 to 2021) - Environment and Heritage, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of Critical Ecological Roles, Structural Attributes and ... - Frontiers, accessed May 15, 2025,
Critical Ecological Roles, Structural Attributes and ... - Frontiers, accessed May 15, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Impacts of recent climate change on terrestrial flora and fauna: Some emerging Australian examples - Cross Connect, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of Disturbance gradient shows logging affects plant functional groups more than fire - Open Research Repository, accessed April 6, 2026
Disturbance gradient shows logging affects plant functional groups more than fire - Open Research Repository, accessed April 6, 2026
Direct Evidence

Disturbance gradient shows logging affects plant functional groups more than fire - Open Research Repository, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of EFFECTIVE FIELD CALIBRATION AND VALIDATION PRACTICES - Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, accessed May 15, 2025,
EFFECTIVE FIELD CALIBRATION AND VALIDATION PRACTICES - Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, accessed May 15, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

TERN Publications 2009-2019, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of Fire frequencies for Western Sydney's woodlands: indications from vegetation dynamics - Research Profiles and Repository, accessed August 11, 2025,
Fire frequencies for Western Sydney's woodlands: indications from vegetation dynamics - Research Profiles and Repository, accessed August 11, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Biodiversity Development Assessment Report - Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of Forestry Industry Action Plan, accessed March 28, 2026,
Forestry Industry Action Plan, accessed March 28, 2026,
Direct Evidence Journal

Impact of intense disturbance on the structure and composition of wet-eucalypt forests: A case study from the Tasmanian 2016 wildfires | PLOS One, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of From unburnt to salvage logged: Quantifying bird responses to different levels of disturbance severity - Threatened Species Recovery Hub, accessed April 6, 2026
From unburnt to salvage logged: Quantifying bird responses to different levels of disturbance severity - Threatened Species Recovery Hub, accessed April 6, 2026
Direct Evidence Journal

From unburnt to salvage logged: Quantifying bird responses to different levels of disturbance severity - Threatened Species Recovery Hub, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of Gibbons, P., et al. (2010). Benchmark stem densities for forests and woodlands in south-eastern Australia under conditions of relatively little modification by humans since European settlement. Forest Ecology and Management, 260(12), 2125-2133.
Gibbons, P., et al. (2010). Benchmark stem densities for forests and woodlands in south-eastern Australia under conditions of relatively little modification by humans since European settlement. Forest Ecology and Management, 260(12), 2125-2133.
Direct Evidence

Benchmark stem densities for forests and woodlands in south-eastern Australia under conditions of relatively little modification by humans since European settlement - ResearchGate, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of Mapping Windthrow Severity as Change in Canopy Cover in a Temperate Eucalypt Forest
Mapping Windthrow Severity as Change in Canopy Cover in a Temperate Eucalypt Forest
Direct Evidence Journal

Forestry Tasmania. (2011). Monitoring and protecting eucalypt regeneration. Native Forest Silviculture Technical Bulletin No. 12.

View Source
Preview of Measuring native vegetation extent and condition using remote sensing technologies - The Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute, accessed April 6, 2026
Measuring native vegetation extent and condition using remote sensing technologies - The Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute, accessed April 6, 2026
Direct Evidence Journal

Measuring native vegetation extent and condition using remote sensing technologies - The Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of Pacific Highway and Chain Valley Bay Road Intersection Upgrade - Minor works review of environmental factors - March 2025 - Transport for NSW, accessed April 6, 2026
Pacific Highway and Chain Valley Bay Road Intersection Upgrade - Minor works review of environmental factors - March 2025 - Transport for NSW, accessed April 6, 2026
Direct Evidence Journal

Appendix D Biodiversity Assessment Report - Transport for NSW, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of Reseeding the Alpine Ash and Mountain Ash forests - Mountain Journal, accessed April 6, 2026
Reseeding the Alpine Ash and Mountain Ash forests - Mountain Journal, accessed April 6, 2026
Direct Evidence Journal

Reseeding the Alpine Ash and Mountain Ash forests - Mountain Journal, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of Tasmanian Special Species Timber Review - Department of State Growth, accessed April 6, 2026
Tasmanian Special Species Timber Review - Department of State Growth, accessed April 6, 2026
Direct Evidence Journal

Tasmanian Special Species Timber Review - Department of State Growth, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of tasveg 5.0 – metadata statement - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed April 6, 2026
tasveg 5.0 – metadata statement - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed April 6, 2026
Direct Evidence Journal

tasveg 5.0 – metadata statement - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of Temporal fragmentation of a critically endangered forest ecosystem - Threatened Species Recovery Hub
Temporal fragmentation of a critically endangered forest ecosystem - Threatened Species Recovery Hub
Direct Evidence Journal

Critical Ecological Roles, Structural Attributes and Conservation of Old Growth Forest: Lessons From a Case Study of Australian Mountain Ash Forests - Frontiers, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of Terrestrial Biodiversity Review - Victorian National Parks Association, accessed April 6, 2026
Terrestrial Biodiversity Review - Victorian National Parks Association, accessed April 6, 2026
Direct Evidence Journal

Terrestrial Biodiversity Review - Victorian National Parks Association, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source
Preview of VAlp_EVCs_combined.docx - Environment, accessed April 6, 2026
VAlp_EVCs_combined.docx - Environment, accessed April 6, 2026
Direct Evidence Journal

VAlp_EVCs_combined.docx - Environment, accessed April 6, 2026

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Vegetation Forest
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 9 Apr 2026

Notes

Shade-tolerant Poa and Microlaena are typical species.

Related Benchmarks

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

20 % Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference · Forest
Point Active v1
1 % Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference · Forest
Point Active v1
— % Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference · Forest
CompositeFramework Active v1