Gully Density

AUS-ASC-URB-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0 m/ha
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MaximumOnly

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

Upper Detrimental Threshold: Breached at any value > 0 m/ha, as the formation of the first gully signifies a shift to an erosional regime with cascading negative impacts.

Metric Definition:

Upper Detrimental Threshold for Gully Density indicating the maximum acceptable value before degradation occurs.

Benchmark Definition:

The upper detrimental threshold for gully density in the Australian Alpine and Subalpine Complex under Urban & Developed Use is zero; any value above zero indicates ecosystem degradation.

Justification:

The formation of the first active gully (>0 m/ha) marks the onset of severe degradation.

Sources (1)

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

Preview of (PDF) Soil properties in high-elevation ski slopes - ResearchGate, accessed August 17, 2025,
(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
Preview of Alpine impacts research | AdaptNSW - NSW Government, accessed August 17, 2025,
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
Preview of Alpine Resorts planning scheme - PropCode, accessed August 17, 2025,
Alpine Resorts planning scheme - PropCode, accessed August 17, 2025,
Regulatory Framework Government

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

View Source
Preview of Alpine restoration in the NSW Snowy Mountains: Interview with Roger Good - ResearchGate, accessed August 17, 2025,
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
Preview of Australian Heritage Database - DCCEEW, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Australian Heritage Database - DCCEEW, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Australian Heritage Database - DCCEEW

View Source
Preview of Climate change impacts on our alpine areas - AdaptNSW - NSW Government, accessed August 17, 2025,
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
Preview of Mid and long-term ecological impacts of ski run construction on ..., accessed August 17, 2025,
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
Preview of Mid and long-term ecological impacts of ski run construction on alpine ecosystems - PMC, accessed August 17, 2025,
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
Preview of soils - of the australian alps, accessed August 17, 2025,
soils - of the australian alps, accessed August 17, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source
Preview of theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,
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
Preview of theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 29, 2025,
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
Preview of www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed on May 25, 2025,
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 DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 8 Jun 2026

Notes

Any gully density greater than zero breaches the upper detrimental threshold, indicating ecosystem degradation. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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

0 m/ha High
Urban & Developed Use · Not Stated
Point Active v1
0 m/ha Moderate
Urban & Developed Use · Not Stated
MinimumOnly Retired v1