Bare Ground — Benchmark Detail - Nature Index

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 2 to 10 %

Optimal Range: 2 to 10

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: OptimalRange

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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The "Remnant" sites, analogous to the "best-on-offer" reference sites required for this analysis, were found to have a mean percentage of bare ground in the range of 2-7%.

Metric Definition:

Percentage of bare ground in the ground layer of Temperate Grassy Woodlands.

Benchmark Definition:

Percentage of bare ground as a measure of ecosystem health in conservation-managed Temperate Grassy Woodlands.

Justification:

Derived from field measurements in remnant grassy woodlands representing the best available condition, reflecting a balance between soil stability and biodiversity needs.

Sources (1)

Preview of EVALUATION OF RESTORATION: A GRASSY WOODLAND

EVALUATION OF RESTORATION: A GRASSY WOODLAND

EVALUATION OF RESTORATION: A GRASSY WOODLAND

Supporting Sources (23)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in Temperate Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review - ACT Government

Preview of (PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025

(PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

section 2 water quality in the darwin region - Environment and Natural Resources

Preview of A Revegetation Guide for Eucalypt Woodlands - Greening Australia, accessed August 10, 2025,

A Revegetation Guide for Eucalypt Woodlands - Greening Australia, accessed August 10, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Australia's Native Vegetation Framework - DAFF

Preview of Approved Conservation Advice for the White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Approved Conservation Advice for the White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Conservation Advice for Lowland Grassy Woodland in the South East Corner Bioregion

Preview of BioCondition: A condition assessment framework for terrestrial biodiversity in Queensland, accessed August 12, 2025,

BioCondition: A condition assessment framework for terrestrial biodiversity in Queensland, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support

Melbourne Water stream network: user's manual - 7 Tree canopy cover, accessed May 19, 2025

Preview of BioCondition: A condition assessment framework for terrestrial biodiversity in Queensland, accessed August 5, 2025

BioCondition: A condition assessment framework for terrestrial biodiversity in Queensland, accessed August 5, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

BioCondition: A condition assessment framework for terrestrial ...

Preview of BioMetric: Vegetation condition benchmarks, short-term review, accessed August 10, 2025,

BioMetric: Vegetation condition benchmarks, short-term review, accessed August 10, 2025,

Contextual Support

The assessment of ecological condition in South-East Queensland

Preview of Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Australian Journal of Botany, accessed August 12, 2025,

Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Australian Journal of Botany, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2 - CSIRO Data Access Portal

Preview of Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Yellow Box – Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived ...

Preview of Environmental Stewardship - Box Gum Grassy Woodland Project - Information Booklet - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Environmental Stewardship - Box Gum Grassy Woodland Project - Information Booklet - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The Nature of Soil - Local Land Services

Preview of Eucalypt woodlands Regrowth Benefits - Management Guideline - Queensland Government, accessed August 12, 2025,

Eucalypt woodlands Regrowth Benefits - Management Guideline - Queensland Government, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Grassy Eucalypt Woodlands Wiyn Murrup Monitoring Program (2020–2023) - Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, accessed August 12, 2025,

Preview of Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia, accessed August 10, 2025,

Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia, accessed August 10, 2025,

Contextual Support

Is there a close association between 'soils' and 'vegetation'? A case study from central western New South Wales, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of How Effective is Plant Cover for Soil Erosion Control? - CID Bio-Science, accessed August 12, 2025,

How Effective is Plant Cover for Soil Erosion Control? - CID Bio-Science, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

How Effective is Plant Cover for Soil Erosion Control? - CID Bio-Science, accessed August 12, 2025,

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,

Contextual Support Journal

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

Preview of Nationally Threatened Ecological Communities of the Victorian Volcanic Plain: Natural Temperate Grassland & Grassy Eucalypt Woodland - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Nationally Threatened Ecological Communities of the Victorian Volcanic Plain: Natural Temperate Grassland & Grassy Eucalypt Woodland - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. (2006). Woodland Remnants and Dryland Salinity: Impacts of dryland salinity on woodland remnants in the Southern Tablelands and South-West Slopes of New South Wales.

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

Preview of Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory. - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory. - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19 Tussock grasslands, accessed August 6, 2025

Preview of NVIS Fact sheet MVG 5 – Eucalypt woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 5 – Eucalypt woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

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

Preview of Restoring Australia's temperate grasslands and grassy woodlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 12, 2025,

Restoring Australia's temperate grasslands and grassy woodlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support

Restoring Australia's temperate grasslands and grassy woodlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate

Preview of Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025

Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025

Direct Evidence Journal

Plant nutrients in the soil - NSW Department of Primary Industries

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,

Contextual Support Journal

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

Preview of Vegetation Assessment Guide - DCCEEW, accessed May 15, 2025

Vegetation Assessment Guide - DCCEEW, accessed May 15, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Vegetation Assessment Guide - DCCEEW

Preview of Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025,

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Pristine Reference
Vegetation Woodland
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

The optimal range 2-10% includes the observed 2-7% range in remnant sites and allows for minor fluctuations due to seasonal conditions or beneficial disturbances like controlled burns. Bare ground below 2% may suppress biodiversity, while above 30% indicates severe degradation.

Related Benchmarks

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