Gully Density — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

0 m/ha

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: Point

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is Point, 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.

Contributing Benchmarks

Point Primary MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The only scientifically defensible benchmark for Gully Density representing the "best available condition" in an urbanized alpine setting is 0 m/ha.

Metric Definition:

Gully Density, measured as the length of active gullies per hectare (m/ha) within the Urban & Developed Use land use context of the Australian Alpine and Subalpine Complex.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal state of gully density in the Australian Alpine and Subalpine Complex under Urban & Developed Use as the complete absence of active gullies, indicating a healthy ecosystem.

Justification:

This benchmark is justified by multiple independent lines of evidence including foundational research, government reports, and contemporary management guidelines indicating that any presence of active gullies indicates severe ecological degradation.

Sources (1)

"Soil conservation in the alpine catchments of the Snowy Mountains" (NSW Soil Conservation Service, 1968)

View Source

Supporting Sources (12)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Soil properties in high-elevation ski slopes - ResearchGate, accessed August 17, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Soil properties in high-elevation ski slopes - ResearchGate, accessed August 17, 2025,

View Source

Alpine impacts research | AdaptNSW - NSW Government, accessed August 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Alpine impacts research | AdaptNSW - NSW Government, accessed August 17, 2025,

View Source

Alpine Resorts planning scheme - PropCode, accessed August 17, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Government

Alpine Resorts planning scheme - PropCode, accessed August 17, 2025,

View Source

Alpine restoration in the NSW Snowy Mountains: Interview with Roger Good - ResearchGate, accessed August 17, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Alpine restoration in the NSW Snowy Mountains: Interview with Roger Good - ResearchGate, accessed August 17, 2025,

View Source

Australian Heritage Database - DCCEEW, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Australian Heritage Database - DCCEEW

View Source

Climate change impacts on our alpine areas - AdaptNSW - NSW Government, accessed August 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Climate change impacts on our alpine areas - AdaptNSW - NSW Government, accessed August 17, 2025,

View Source

Mid and long-term ecological impacts of ski run construction on ..., accessed August 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source

Mid and long-term ecological impacts of ski run construction on alpine ecosystems - PMC, accessed August 17, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Mid and long-term ecological impacts of ski run construction on alpine ecosystems - PMC, accessed August 17, 2025,

View Source

soils - of the australian alps, accessed August 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

soils - of the australian alps, accessed August 17, 2025,

View Source

theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Phosphorus Nutrition of Proteaceae in Severely Phosphorus-Impoverished Soils: Are There Lessons To Be Learned for Future Crops? - PubMed Central

View Source

theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 29, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Soil Conservation in Alpine Catchments - The Kosciuszko Huts Association, accessed August 17, 2025,

View Source

www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Contextual Support

The Australian Alps Bioregion - Environment and Heritage, accessed on May 27, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Urban & Developed Use
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 8 Jun 2026

Notes

The benchmark of 0 m/ha is based on high-confidence evidence that gullying in this biome is normally rare and represents a state of active, severe degradation. Any value greater than 0 m/ha indicates degradation and breach of the detrimental threshold. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-URB-GUL family.