Vegetation Extent

AUS-ASC-FOR-VEX General High confidence

Benchmark Value

16 m²/ha

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 16

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.

Evidence & Context

"Retaining above 16 m²/ha increases mortality of the regeneration during summer dry periods due to competition for moisture and suppression."

Metric Definition:

Upper limit for basal area retention to prevent seedling suppression.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark sets the maximum basal area per hectare retention in wet shelterwood sites to avoid seedling mortality due to moisture competition.

Justification:

Prevents moisture competition from killing the next generation of trees.

Sources (1)

Technical Bulletin 5: Silvicultural systems for native eucalypt forests

Technical Bulletin 5: Silvicultural systems for native eucalypt forests

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Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Australia state of the environment 2021: land, accessed May 11, 2025

Direct Evidence Journal

Management Standards and Procedures for timber harvesting operations in Victoria’s State forests

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Management Standards and Procedures for timber harvesting operations

Direct Evidence

Management Standards and Procedures for timber harvesting operations

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Monitoring Eucalyptus delegatensis in Tasmania

Direct Evidence

Monitoring Eucalyptus delegatensis in Tasmania

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Policy for Maintaining a Permanent Native Forest Estate

Direct Evidence

Policy for Maintaining a Permanent Native Forest Estate

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VNPA-Alpine-Ash-forests-of-mainland-Australia

Direct Evidence

VNPA-Alpine-Ash-forests-of-mainland-Australia

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Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Shelterwood (Wet sites)
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 10 Apr 2026

Notes

Upper Detrimental Threshold: 16 m²/ha.

Related Benchmarks

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