Bare Ground — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

30 %

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

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 16 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 15 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Across southeastern Australia, a ground cover level of 70% (equivalent to 30% bare ground) is widely cited as the minimum required to prevent excessive soil erosion in temperate pastures.

Metric Definition:

Maximum percentage of bare ground before accelerated soil erosion and landscape degradation occurs.

Benchmark Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold for bare ground indicating onset of accelerated erosion.

Justification:

This threshold is established by decades of soil and water conservation research and is widely cited in agricultural extension literature.

Sources (1)

Preview of Maintaining groundcover to reduce erosion and sustain production - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 22, 2025,

Maintaining groundcover to reduce erosion and sustain production - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 22, 2025, Journal

Lang, D. (1979). Groundcover for pastures. Journal of Soil Conservation NSW.

View Source

Supporting Sources (12)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

A guide to managing Box Gum Grassy Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025

Direct Evidence Journal

Manning, A. D., Cunningham, R. B., Tongway, D., & Lindenmayer, D. B. (2020). Woodlands and woody debris: Understanding structure and composition to inform restoration. PLoS ONE, 15(3), e0224258.

View Source

A review of indicators and methods to assess biodiversity - FAO Knowledge Repository

Contextual Support Journal

Comparison of grazed and cleared temperate grassy woodlands in eastern Australia: patterns in space and inferences in time - ResearchGate, accessed August 6, 2025

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Farming without a label | Autumn 2022 | Sheep Notes newsletter ..., accessed August 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Farming without a label | Autumn 2022 | Sheep Notes newsletter ..., accessed August 6, 2025

View Source

Grassy Woodlands of the Goulburn Broken Catchment, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Grassy eucalypt woodland of the Victorian volcanic plain - listing advice, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source

Preview of Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate

View Source

Manage ground cover | EverGraze More livestock from perennials, accessed August 10, 2025,

Direct Evidence

Maintain and improve groundcover - Local Land Services

View Source

Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers, accessed August 8, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Processes underpinning natural capital account ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 8, 2025

View Source

Managing ground cover to reduce run-off and water loss - FutureBeef, accessed August 10, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Managing ground cover to reduce run-off and water loss - FutureBeef, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source

Monitoring groundcover and soil degradation | Erosion | Soil | Farm ..., accessed May 11, 2025

Direct Evidence Government

Monitoring groundcover and soil degradation | Erosion - Agriculture Victoria

View Source

Preview of Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands: a nationally protected ecological community - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands: a nationally protected ecological community - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern ... - DCCEEW

View Source

Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com

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Preview of The importance of travelling stock reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Australian Journal of Botany, accessed August 12, 2025,

The importance of travelling stock reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Australian Journal of Botany, accessed August 12, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Approved Conservation Advice for the White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland - DCCEEW

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

Levels >30% bare ground are the threshold for accelerated soil erosion and landscape degradation. This threshold is lower on steeper slopes or more erodible soils. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-LVG-BAR family.