Ground Cover - Tree Canopy

AUS-TDG-LVG-TCC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 10 to 20 %

Optimal Range: 10 to 20

Direction: Higher 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 19 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 18 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Proposed Optimal Range: Likely within the 10-20% Tree Canopy Cover range.

Metric Definition:

Tree Canopy Cover (TCC) is defined as the percentage of the ground surface shaded by the vertical projection of tree crowns.

Benchmark Definition:

The range of tree canopy cover that maximizes the synergy between ecological health and sustainable grazing productivity.

Justification:

This range effectively captures the documented ecological benefits of scattered to moderately dense trees while minimizing negative impacts on overall pasture production.

Sources (1)

Preview of Gibson-Roy, P., et al. (2018). Restoring grassy woodland diversity through direct seeding: Insights from six 'best-practice' case studies in southern Australia. Ecological Management & Restoration, 19(S1).

Gibson-Roy, P., et al. (2018). Restoring grassy woodland diversity through direct seeding: Insights from six 'best-practice' case studies in southern Australia. Ecological Management & Restoration, 19(S1). Journal

Benson, J. S. (1999). The ecological role of the native vegetation of New South Wales. Cunninghamia, 6(4), 981-1038.

Supporting Sources (25)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of An overview of the ecology, management and conservation of Australia's temperate woodlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 15, 2025

An overview of the ecology, management and conservation of Australia's temperate woodlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 15, 2025

Contextual Support

What Can We Learn From Weeds - Weeds & soils, as dynamic accumulators - Regenerative Agriculture Blog, accessed July 7, 2025

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,

Direct Evidence Journal

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

Preview of Baeza, S., et al. (2016). Effects of livestock exclusion in forests of Uruguay: Soil condition and tree regeneration. Forest Ecology and Management, 362, 141-149.

Baeza, S., et al. (2016). Effects of livestock exclusion in forests of Uruguay: Soil condition and tree regeneration. Forest Ecology and Management, 362, 141-149.

Contextual Support

Baeza, S., et al. (2016). Effects of livestock exclusion in forests of Uruguay: Soil condition and tree regeneration. Forest Ecology and Management, 362, 141-149.

Preview of Benson, J. S. (1999). The ecological role of the native vegetation of New South Wales. Cunninghamia, 6(4), 981-1038.

Benson, J. S. (1999). The ecological role of the native vegetation of New South Wales. Cunninghamia, 6(4), 981-1038.

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Benson, J. S. (1999). The ecological role of the native vegetation of New South Wales. Cunninghamia, 6(4), 981-1038.

Preview of Briggs, P. R., & Taws, N. (2011). The patterns of grazed pasture associated with scattered trees across an Australian temperate landscape: An investigation of pasture quantity and quality. The Rangeland Journal, 33(2), 121-131.

Briggs, P. R., & Taws, N. (2011). The patterns of grazed pasture associated with scattered trees across an Australian temperate landscape: An investigation of pasture quantity and quality. The Rangeland Journal, 33(2), 121-131.

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Briggs, P. R., & Taws, N. (2011). The patterns of grazed pasture associated with scattered trees across an Australian temperate landscape: An investigation of pasture quantity and quality. The Rangeland Journal, 33(2), 121-131.

Preview of Clean Energy Regulator (CER). (2023). Gateway regeneration checks: Human-induced regeneration projects. Australian Government.

Clean Energy Regulator (CER). (2023). Gateway regeneration checks: Human-induced regeneration projects. Australian Government.

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Clean Energy Regulator (CER). (2023). Gateway regeneration checks: Human-induced regeneration projects. Australian Government.

Preview of Close, D. C., et al. (2021). Temperate woodland under environmental stress: Great Otway National Park, Anglesea.

Close, D. C., et al. (2021). Temperate woodland under environmental stress: Great Otway National Park, Anglesea.

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The Abundance of Microbial Functional Genes in Grassy Woodlands Is Influenced More by Soil Nutrient Enrichment than by Recent Weed Invasion or Livestock Exclusion - PMC - PubMed Central

Preview of Duncan, D. H., & Dorrough, J. W. (2009). Historical and current land use shape landscape restoration options in the Australian wheat and sheep farming zone. Ecological Applications, 19(2), 475-487.

Duncan, D. H., & Dorrough, J. W. (2009). Historical and current land use shape landscape restoration options in the Australian wheat and sheep farming zone. Ecological Applications, 19(2), 475-487.

Contextual Support

Duncan, D. H., & Dorrough, J. W. (2009). Historical and current land use shape landscape restoration options in the Australian wheat and sheep farming zone. Ecological Applications, 19(2), 475-487.

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,

Methodology Source Journal

TERN Publications 2009-2019, accessed April 6, 2026

Preview of Eyre, T. J., et al. (2006). BioCondition: A Condition Assessment Framework for Terrestrial Biodiversity in Queensland - Background and Testing. Final Report for Meat & Livestock Australia Project NBP.231. Queensland Government Environmental Protection Agency.

Eyre, T. J., et al. (2006). BioCondition: A Condition Assessment Framework for Terrestrial Biodiversity in Queensland - Background and Testing. Final Report for Meat & Livestock Australia Project NBP.231. Queensland Government Environmental Protection Agency.

Contextual Support Methodology Source Journal

Fischer, J., et al. (2013). Maximizing retention of native biodiversity in Australian agricultural landscapes—The 10/20/40/30 guidelines. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 166, 35-45.

Preview of Fischer, J., et al. (2013). Maximizing retention of native biodiversity in Australian agricultural landscapes—The 10/20/40/30 guidelines. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 166, 35-45.

Fischer, J., et al. (2013). Maximizing retention of native biodiversity in Australian agricultural landscapes—The 10/20/40/30 guidelines. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 166, 35-45.

Contextual Support

Tree decline and the future of Australian farmland biodiversity - PMC - PubMed Central

Preview of Greening Australia & University of Tasmania. (Undated). Restoration of Midlands Biodiversity Hotspot. Project Report.

Greening Australia & University of Tasmania. (Undated). Restoration of Midlands Biodiversity Hotspot. Project Report.

Contextual Support Journal

Greening Australia & University of Tasmania. (Undated). Restoration of Midlands Biodiversity Hotspot. Project Report.

Preview of Guevara, J. C., et al. (2015). Tree canopy-herbaceous layer relation in temperate woodland: Seasonal variations in forage quantity and quality. Agroforestry Systems, 89(3), 491-504.

Guevara, J. C., et al. (2015). Tree canopy-herbaceous layer relation in temperate woodland: Seasonal variations in forage quantity and quality. Agroforestry Systems, 89(3), 491-504.

Contextual Support Journal

Guevara, J. C., et al. (2015). Tree canopy-herbaceous layer relation in temperate woodland: Seasonal variations in forage quantity and quality. Agroforestry Systems, 89(3), 491-504.

Preview of Lindenmayer, D. B., et al. (2022). New restoration approaches are needed to conserve woodland birds. Emu - Austral Ornithology, 122(3-4), 210-220.

Lindenmayer, D. B., et al. (2022). New restoration approaches are needed to conserve woodland birds. Emu - Austral Ornithology, 122(3-4), 210-220.

Contextual Support Journal

existing environment 5 - components of biodiversity, 5.1 ecological and physical environmental processes, accessed May 17, 2025

Preview of Nimmo, D. G., et al. (2015). Riparian tree cover enhances the resistance and stability of woodland bird communities during an extreme climatic event. Journal of Applied Ecology, 53(2).

Nimmo, D. G., et al. (2015). Riparian tree cover enhances the resistance and stability of woodland bird communities during an extreme climatic event. Journal of Applied Ecology, 53(2).

Contextual Support Journal

Nimmo, D. G., et al. (2015). Riparian tree cover enhances the resistance and stability of woodland bird communities during an extreme climatic event. Journal of Applied Ecology, 53(2).

Preview of North East Forest Alliance (NEFA). (Undated). Submission to Draft Regional Water Strategy, Far North Coast.

North East Forest Alliance (NEFA). (Undated). Submission to Draft Regional Water Strategy, Far North Coast.

Contextual Support Journal

Prober, S. M., Thiele, K. R., & Lunt, I. D. (2005). Restoring Australia's temperate grasslands and grassy woodlands: integrating landscape context and restoration techniques. Ecological Management & Restoration, 6(1), 16-27.

Preview of Our Research – ANU Sustainable Farms, accessed August 6, 2025

Our Research – ANU Sustainable Farms, accessed August 6, 2025

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Wildlife Conservation in Farm Landscapes

Preview of Prober, S. M., & Thiele, K. R. (2005). Ecological and anthropomorphic factors permitting low-risk assisted colonization in temperate grassy woodlands.

Prober, S. M., & Thiele, K. R. (2005). Ecological and anthropomorphic factors permitting low-risk assisted colonization in temperate grassy woodlands.

Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants - ResearchGate, accessed May 19, 2025,

Preview of Queensland Department of Environment and Science. (Various dates for BioCondition Manual and REDD).

Queensland Department of Environment and Science. (Various dates for BioCondition Manual and REDD).

Methodology Source Government

Queensland Department of Environment and Science. (Various dates for BioCondition Manual and REDD).

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 Sherren, K. (Undated Draft Chapter). The resilience of Australian agricultural landscapes characterized by land sparing versus land sharing.

Sherren, K. (Undated Draft Chapter). The resilience of Australian agricultural landscapes characterized by land sparing versus land sharing.

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Sherren, K. (Undated Draft Chapter). The resilience of Australian agricultural landscapes characterized by land sparing versus land sharing.

Preview of Sherren, K., et al. (2011). Lessons from visualising the future of ecosystem services in grazed woodlands. Landscape Journal, 30(2), 229-244.

Sherren, K., et al. (2011). Lessons from visualising the future of ecosystem services in grazed woodlands. Landscape Journal, 30(2), 229-244.

Contextual Support Journal

Sherren, K., et al. (2011). Lessons from visualising the future of ecosystem services in grazed woodlands. Landscape Journal, 30(2), 229-244.

Preview of Sherren, K., et al. (2012). Do Australian graziers have an offset mindset about their farm trees? Landscape and Urban Planning, 104(3-4), 357-366.

Sherren, K., et al. (2012). Do Australian graziers have an offset mindset about their farm trees? Landscape and Urban Planning, 104(3-4), 357-366.

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Greening Australia & University of Tasmania. (Undated). Restoration of Midlands Biodiversity Hotspot. Project Report.

Preview of Various authors/studies related to TERN vegetation monitoring.

Various authors/studies related to TERN vegetation monitoring.

Methodology Source

Various authors/studies related to TERN vegetation monitoring.

Preview of www.mla.com.au, accessed May 15, 2025,

www.mla.com.au, accessed May 15, 2025,

Methodology Source Journal

Eyre, T. J., et al. (2011). BioCondition: A Condition Assessment Framework for Terrestrial Biodiversity in Queensland. Assessment Methodology Manual. Version 2.1. Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management.

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 28 May 2026

Notes

While TCC up to 30% represents high ecological condition, the 10-20% range may represent a more broadly applicable 'optimum' where ecological and grazing production goals are effectively integrated. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-LVG-TCC family.